The south Kentuckian. [volume] (Hopkinsville, Ky.) 1879-1883, 1879-11-25
a Brave Boy.

1t was storming evening in Janu-
ary. 1t had been very cold all day,
but toward night 1t grew warmer,
clouds camo up rapidly from the
northeast, and now it was showing.
Freddy Johnson, q bright, chubby
little fellow Of ak years, was sitting
by the fire, looking at the pictures in
tho last Nursery, when his papa
said:
GONE, Freddy, l am going to
write letter whirh l wish you TO
take to the post-office for me. Run
and put on your coat and hat. The
letter will be ready as soon as you
are"
"All right" said Freddie, who was
accustomed to obey without asking
questions-a rare trait in little boy.
Now, the post-offlce was half
mile distant, and Freddie had never
been there alone, though he had Of
ten gone with his papa; but ne was
courageous little fellow, and very
proud Of doing errands for his papa,
SO he did as he was hidden, and with
his mammals help WIS soon mnfled
up to his chin in overcoat and scNrfs,
and when he came back for the letter
looked rs il he could defy any storm,
Here, little Dutchman," said pa-
pa, lyon see have wrapped this let
ter up in paper, so that 1t will not
get wet. Now when you get to the
Office take the paper of, and drop the
letter in the box. Don't stop any
where but come directly back
"Ycs, SIR" said Freddie; and then
he whispered to his papa, "Do you
believe I shall see any dogs1"
"Ho, DEAR" Mr.. Johnson replied
"the dogs have all gone to bed, |
guess. Now good-by."
Freddie started off bravely. 1t
was very dark night, and he could
only see little way ahead. but on he
trudged, wadng through the deep
snow, trying to whistle "a he bis Un-
Gle Charlie did.
"HaIlo, sir, where are You going"
said man who met him on the way
down.
"post-offlce, y said Freddie"
aren't you afraid you'll get ost?F
asked the man in surprise.
"No, cir" said Freddie stoutly, as
he passed on; "papa sent me-"
He found the post-ofIice without
difficulty, dropped the letter into
the box. and started for home. But
we must 20 back little in our story.
As soon SIS Feddie had lett the
house, his papa hastily put on his
oyercoat and hat, and hurried after
him. Walking on the opposite side
of the street, and q little behind be
followed Freddie, keeping his eyes
on him all the way, 10 see that no
harm came TO his dear little boy.
When they had nearly reached home
Mr.. johnson hurried ahead, and was
calmly reading his paper when Fred
die came in, looking more like the
snow man he had built in the yard
than like Freddie johnson. Then
what greeting the little hero receiy.
Led! How his mama and his aunties
crowded around him off with his
wraps, shake off the snow, and kiss
the bright, rosy checks! How his
eyes sparkled with delight when his
papa called him his brave little boy
and told him that he must hurry and
grow up, for he needed in his store
just such clerk as Freddie would
makol But it was now bedtime
aud with a goodnight" all around
Feddie went up stairs, and was soor
sleeping souhdly.
Now, children, this is true story
and to .me it has q beautiful lesson
just as Fredde's father followed
him all the way, ready to help ifan.
danger should threaten him, so oul
Father in heaven watches US wher
ever we so, and whatever we do, snt
although we cannot see him, We may
be sure that he will never let an,
real harm como to us.-[The AID
vance.