The Vancouver independent. (Vancouver, W.T. [Wash.]) 1875-1910, 1880-12-23
"A OFFsCOURING."

''You asked me didn't you?'
"Yes, l asked your the mission
teacher replied; sad, almost Disguised
expression on her sweet young face.
"What did you ask me for, if you
didn't want me to tell you. l could "a
iedr' the boy vent on in stolid sort of
way, and yet with ring of feeling in
his voice.
mo, you couldn't, Johnny" the
teacher answered with IA smile, because
YOU promised, you remember, that you
would always tell the truth to me-"
well. l didn't go back on it, did I ?"
"No, Johnny. Have you any objec-
lions to telling me how often you have
taken things that didn't belong to your
''Mebee | couldn't remember them
all, the boy replied, ''but never lifted
ANYTHING very partickeler. Once when
the old woman where l hang out got
sick. and cried blue streak for oranges,
and nobody had the money to buy EN-, l
asked the old cove that kept the grocery
store to trust me for a couple till the next
day. He wouldn't do it, and that night
I stole six from him.
why, Johnny?'
"Why didn't he let me have EN-,
then?" theb oy went on doggedly. I'D
"a him, cause 1 said 1 would. Anyhow,
the old woman got we'll off them or
anges.'
'Then you are not sorry you took
them 2" the teacher inquired.
"Well, the old woman had to have
them oranges, and somebody had to get
'em for her."
The teachers face was very grave, and
as her companion looked up he saw the
tears in her eyes, sight which had a
curious effect upon him.
Don't make me tell you any more,
please, ma'am," he said, dropping his
ewes, while his face flushed scarlet. II
amt nothing but a offscouring anyhow,
and it amt no good to fret about what
do. l was kinder dragged into this
place. else ia never a bothered you.
"What name did you call YOURSELF"
the teacher inquired. Il didn't under
stand you"
Granny Leeds said was offscouring,
and so I am
''What is an offscouring, John?"
"Oh. the leavin's of something that
amt no good"
Granny Leeds. as you call her, was
very much mistaken, and you are very
much mistaken about yourself, Johnny"
the teacher replied. You are not an off
securing. but Gods own child, and He is
giving you a chance to make something
of yourself How much do you think
she things are worth that you have taken
in all, johnny"
'Them oranges were worth four cents
apiece when l took EN-; that's twenty
four, and them two loaves of bread /
lifted for two fellers that froze their feet
last winter; and mackerel to make the
bread 60 down. It's awful to eat bread
without nothing with it; and then a
baseball that was worth fifty cents, and
all them things would make near hand
to dollar. / don't remember anything
else now"
well, John, shall give you dollar,
and I want you to go to those places and
pay for all those things"
Then III have to own up the boy
interrupted in his bewilderment, re-
lapsing at once into slang.
Wouldn't you feel better to confess
Johnny 2" the young lady inquired, not
little troubled at the effect of her
words. For moment the boy seemed
lost in thought, and then, lifting frank
face to his companion, said: Il amt
never felt pertikeler bad about any of
them things cept the base ball, and that
| could "a lone without, but if you say
SO. Miss Lee. | II give the whole thing
away only as l amt lifted any thing late
ly, and don't never mean to again. they
would always suspicion me and make me
ont thief when l amt no such thing.
Don't you think 'twould do, ma am, if /
dropped the money in them places so
they'd be sure to find it? If you don't
think so I'll blow the whole thing, if it
takes me to the Island"
What will you do, Johnny, if some
body needs bread and oranges, and you
havn't any money to buy them with y
'Thats a sticker, ma am. / dunno"
''And it wouldn't be strange if some
thing of that kind were to happen any
day"
mo, ma am. That's something putty
Centrally to pay with the folks l know"
well, Johnny, / will tell you what to
do" the teacher replied. Here is my
card. and when any of your acquaint-
ances are in trouble / wish YOU would
come directly to me, and if anything is
amiss with you at any time, be sure and
send messenger. You had better com
up tomorrow, anyway, Johnny, for
want TO give you some warm clothes, and
then it will be easy for You to find the
place next time"
Johnny hung his head. This kindness
had overpowered him, and not a word
could he say.