Stevens County tribune. (Morris, Minn.) 1877-1880, 1879-12-25
CHRISTMAS ATyUMBERLY Y.

IL ~. - q
The Winnertons lived in Umberly and
were just the iolliest, happiest family
you ever saw. Umberly was the name
Mr.. Winnerton had given TO his home,
which he had purchased a little way out
OF the big city, for he wanted his boys
and girls to have the pure air and a
chance to grow strong by roaming about.
Mabel, the baby, was the family pet;
Johnny was only two years older; and
above them, like pair of steps going up
and up, were three more-Blanche, and
Edith, and Dick. Dick, the eldest, was
the rogue of the family, sure to get into
trouble, and as sure to GENE out all right
and land on his feet,
Dick was the only one considered old
enough to go into the city to school. The
esthers studied with mamma at home.
One.bright December morning Dick
sprang from the horse cars at the corner
of the st1eet where his school vas, and
slowly sauntered along till he came to
an old house where Sandy Dooley lived
in the cellar. Now, Sandy had worked
for Dicks father for many years. He
was {. wood sawyer, and as the boy came
near he saw MIN standing, saw in hand,
near the cellar door.
Good morning, Sandy" said Dick.
Good morning, young gentleman" re-
Piled Sandy. Hold on till I show you
lGethlng" And away went Sandy with
his ragged boots gathering down the
steps.
''Ill play him trick" SAID Dick. He's
left his precious old saw behind ana TIL
hide it just tor fun"
Dick seized it, and was lust running
TO hide behind an open door near by
when . rough hand was iaId ON his
shoulder and voice exclaimed:
''Ye're caught now; you bad boy, a.
stealin' from poor man."
I'm not thier. It's only Sandy's; and
z want 20 play ajoke on him. said
Dick, trying his best to shake off the wo
mans hand.
"a joke is it? Well, you're a young
upstart, anyway; and stealin' is no Joke. ;
Whereupon the old woman beckoned t.
policeman, who came running acros.
the street and caught the boy by thu
arm.
Whats the rowl" he asked.
Use the eyes of We and see," said she
''Hasnt he Sandy Dooley's saw in tn,
hand oil him, and didn't catch hin
walking off with it?''
~ didn't steal it! I didn't!'' screamed
Dick.
The policeman did not heed the boy
but ruthlessly dragged him away, will
his book-strap and books under his arm
All the way to The station poor Dick criet
and cried; but it was no use to tell hi
story over again, for no one believed him
and the dirty old woman followed clos
behind.
When they tried to question the 90,
at the station, he sobbed so he could NO
speak; and the kind.hearted marshal
said: "Let me see those books" Whel
he saw written in them "Rlchard Win
nerton," he smiled, and said: t.Send 70
the boys father"
Then the old woman told her story
evidently glad to be of SO much import
1-42ee; and her evidence was quite over
I Whelming. 'sShe saw the boy take tn
saw; and if that wasn't stealln' what wa
itan While she was still talking the doc
opened, and in came Mr.. Wlnnerton, VIII
had driven down as fast as pair O
horses could bring him. -
Dick nearly shrieked with delight ant
exclaimed: "Oh, papa! Don't believ
it. / was only fooling, and Sandy vii
tell you so.''
So Sandy was sent for, and said: "H
was shure, sir, the little gintleman coul
mean no harm, TOP 1t was always a kind
good word he had ever since he had be
gan to work for the squire. And as TO
ipearin' 'galnst him, the likes of an oul
meddlin' woman like Mother McQuad
might do so; but he never could be tina
mean for bit of a Joke
So the matter was dismissed, so far d
the police was concerned; and Dick wen
away with his father, too much heate
and ashamed to attend school that day.
It was some time before Mr.. Winner
ton heard the whole story; and Il do no
think he blamed Dick very much. al
though he said: "Jokes are bad things
my dear, even among good friends.
And Dick was sure his father wrote
= see excuse to the teacher, although b
4 did not sec it.
The next morning he intended avon
Sandy's corner, but Sandy met him, an
4 his wife was with him. Evidently the
had been watching for him.
sHero We are noW for, a. gintleman, an
well be wanting of you to come up [
the house when yc come home for it's
purity o puppy rs We liver laid eyes O
mr. ole woman has fer yen
sOh! Sandy is it all MINER
Yours when We git 1t, my man; an
M0.lie McQuade II be larnin' some da
hat tellin'. tales is no good whin ST
j can 3 see gintleman's SON inside of
jacket
Dick went to school buoyant, and IL
moment it was dismissed away he fie
ID gandv's cellar for the puppv. IT W,