New Ulm weekly review. [volume] (New Ulm, Minn.) 1878-1892, 1878-04-10
Maud Pennyfeather's Ambition.

Maud Pennyfeather's Ambition.
It was all exhilarating spectacle that
the people Of Chepachet beheld one Jan
uary afternoon; the picture of a grown
man pulling and Juggling a small boy
along Main street. The man was Mr.
John Denike; the boy, Terry Mcclure
OF the righteousness of the scene Mr.
Denike was not unconscious. His face
was red, and wore an expression OF
mingled vindictiveness and shame. To
add to his discontinue, a young lady com
ing in an opposite direction, checked her
steps as she observed his plight, and then
stopped in his way.
The boy promptly began to howl.
ooh, Miss Penfeatherr' he pitecusly
cried, he's taking me to the jug"
"Why, Terry!n she exclaimed in a
tone Of feproach, "what is the matter?"
Denike had stopped, but still held the
boy, who was crying with all his might
and main
The lady looked inquiringly from Ter
ry to the gentleman,
The latter bowed, acknowledged the
implied question.
'The boy has been trying to pick my
pockets" he said; "and I'm going to
make an example of him. Then he add
ed: "Are YOU particularly interested in
him."
He is one Of my Sunday school schol-
ars,' she said, quietly.
John Denike shrugged his shoulders,
and the girl saw and resented the mo-
ton.
"You mean he doesn't do credit to my
teaching" she said, hotly; II don't sup
pose he does. I have him Just one hour
offset that against the one hundred and
sixty-seven, when he is under other in
f1uences."
John felt uncomfortable. This en-
phatic young person was certainly not
afraid to speak her mind. He looked at
the boy.
"Will you ever steal anything again?'
he asked. The child could hardly speak
through his tears.
"No, I WON'T" ne cried, eff you'll le'
me go.'
John loosed his hold, and the boy did
not wait for permission. In breath he
was around the corner and out of sight.
The young lady bowed gravely. "Thank
you very much,'' she sad. John stepped
aside, raised his hat, and in MON ent
she too was gone.
He half smiled to himself as be went
on his way. Indeed he was rather re-
lieved. 1t had been an episode, and the
girl was certainly bright and pretty. He
put his hand in his pocket and drew it out
with an air Of satisfaction. The handker-
chief was there. 1t occurred to him that
he might also confirm the safety of his
pocket book. He felt in the opposite
pocket-and felt in vain. The pocket
book was gone. He stopped short in the
street and ground his teeth. am afraid
his thoughts we're notstrictly evangelical.
"The little beastw he exclaimed with
angry emphasis. 'There was at least
thirty dollars il it-and Nellie's picture,
besides! !" and then regretting his folly in
letting the boy go, and wondering if it
would be any use to seek the police, he
turned slowly toward his home.
Miss Pennyfeather, as she went on her
way, was scarcely less disguised then
Denike himself, without knowing as yet
the depth of Terry's turpitude, She
could not deny that his conduct was the
saddest kind Of commentary on her teach
ing. Fancy her added annoyance, when
on going to Sunday school the next day,
she detected Terry Mcclure exhibiting to
the other boys a pocket book which she
knew could not be his, and which, nnder
compulsion, he tearfully confessed to have
stolen from the gentleman the day BEFORE
Miss Pennyfeather appropriated the
pocket-book. There were papers in it, a
photograph of wonderfully pretty girl,
but not a cent of money.
''Where is the money, Terry?" she ask
cd, imperatiyely.
The boy blubbered. Heknew Miss Pen
nyfeather too well to attempt any denial
II took it out" he cried.
Chow much was it?n