The Worthington advance. [volume] (Worthington, Minn.) 1874-1908, 1879-12-25
CHRISTMAS AT UNlBERLY,

were just the jolliest, happiest family
you ever saw. Umberly was the name
Mr.. Winncrton had given to his home,
which he had purchased 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-Blanchc, and
Edith, and Dick. Dick. the eldest, was
the rogue Of the family, sure to get into
trouble, and rs sure to csme out all right
and land on his feet.
Dick was the only one considered old
enough to go into the city to school. The
others studied with mamma at home.
One bright December morning Dick
sprang frc n the horse cars at the corner
Of the stleet where his school was, 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 tho boy came
near he saw him standing, saw in hand,
near the cellar door.
"Good morning, Sandy" said Dick.
"Good morning, young gentleman" re-
Piled Sandy. "Hoid on till show you
somcthng." And away went Sandy with
bis ragged boots ciattering down the
steps.
"1'll play him trick" sand Dick. He's
left his precious old saw behind; and I'll
hide it just tor fun
Dick seized it, and was just running
to hide behind an open door near by,
when a rough hand was laid on his
shoulder and voice exclaimed:
"Ye'rc caught now; you bad boy, a.
stealin' from poor man.
I'm not thie1. Its only Sandy and
I want 20 play ajoAe on him." said
Dick, trying his best to shake off the wo-
mans hand.
"A j,ke is it? Well, you're a young
upstart, anyway; and stealin' is no joke"
Whereupon the old woman beckoncd to
policeman, who came running across
the street and caught the boy by the
arm.
"What's the rowe" he asked.
'Use the eyes of ye and see," said she
"Hasn't he Sandy Dooley's saw in the
hand Ol him, and didn't l catch him
walking off with it,"
II didn't steal it! I didn't" screamed
Dick.
The policeman did not heed the boy,
but ruthlessly dragged him away, with
his book-strap and books under his arm.
All the way to .he station poor Dick cried
and cred; but it was no use to tell his
story over again, for no one believed him,
and the dirty old woman followed close
behind.
When they tried to question the boy
at the station, he sobbcd SO he could not
speak; and the kind-hearted marshall
said: "Let me SEQ those books" When
he saw written in them Orchard Win
nerton," he smiled, and said: "Send for
the boys father.''
Then the old woman told her story,
evidently glad to be of so much import
snce and her evidence was quite over
whelming. "She saw the boy take the
saw; and if that wasn't stealln' what was
itW While she was still talking the door
opened, and in came Mr.. WlHnerton, who
had driven down as fast as a pair Of
hogses coald Drlng hlm.
Dick nearly shrieked with delight and
exclaimed: "Oh, papa! Don't believe
it: was only fooling, and Sandy will
tell you So"
So Sandy was sent for, and said: HE
was shure, sir, the little gintleman could
mean no harm, tor it was always a kind,
good word he had ever since he had be-
gan to work for the squire. And as for
'pcarin' 'galnst him, the likes of an ould
meddlin' woman like Mother McQuade
might do SO; but he never could be that
mean for bit of joke"
So the matter was dismissed, SO far as
The police was concerned; and Dick went
away with his father, too much heated
and ashamed to attend school that day.
1twas some time before Mr.. Winner
ltons heard the whole story; and I do net