Northern tribune. [volume] (Cheboygan, Mich.) 1875-1885, 1880-07-03

lance with friend of his-a newsbOy-I
who had been run over by an express
wagon, and this was the nearest ap-
proach to carriage ride that Johnny
had ever enjoyed. He wandered, as he
watched these happy. gaily dressed pe0-
PIE why 1T was that some people had all |
tney wanted, while others were cold and |
hungry. and sometimes starved to death. |
This is not the first time that Johnny |
mad been perpleXed with such thoughts, |
out they had never made him feel so I'M
comfortable as on this occasion. He
called to mind the warm Undertaking
and tidy jacket and pants which Mrs.
Lee had given him that day, and tried to
comfort himself with the thought that
there was one person in the world who
cared for him.
There had been a heavy fall of snow
that day, and as Johnny, still absorbed
with his thoughts, started to cross the
street he saw something sparkle in the
snow, at the side of the crossing. There
had been a rush of carriages, few had
not been able to pull up at the curb. As
he picked it up he saw that it was an or
nament in the shape of a cross, and
studded with diamonds.
Johnny knew they were SINNERS" as
he called them, as soon as he looked at
them, so with his heart in his throat he
tucked the precious jewel i'm his pocket,
still holding it firmly in his hand. john
ny'S ambition had been to start coffee
and cake establishment where newsbOys
could be entertained at low rates. For
more than year he had nursed the pro-
ject into execution. There were nine
stones in The cross. DispOsing of one at
time so as to avoid suspicion, there
was money enough to last him "fOr
years and years" he told himself. 1t
/ puzzled him to know how he would keep
the shiners,fO there wasn't a soul among
his acquaintance whom he dare trust
with his secret. Not until he had crept
into his poverty stricken bed, with his
treasure carefully hidden among the
straw did the thought occur to him that
he ought to try and find an owner for it.
Then followed a hard battle between the
honesty of the lad and his very natural
desire for creature comforts. The per-
son who could wear a gold thing like
that "chOck of sinners, he said to him
self, must have money enough TO buy
more sinners" He was. cold and hun
CRY half the time, with no prospect be-
fore him but to be always hungry, if not
always cold; and here were the ''shiners"
which would set him up i'm business, and
give him chance to help the boys.
Johnny honestly wanted to help the boys.
Why should he find the owners of this
cross when he had nothing and the own
or had everything? This fight cOntin-
ed until it was time for the lad to start
out for the morning papers. All through
the busiest part of the forenoon the bat
L Ia cfr nd ohnxr .,
thoughts were so occupied with his new
found riches that he had almost forgot
to attend to his customers. About half
past ten, as he crossed the city hall park
he noticed gentleman in earnest con-
versatiOn with another gentleman. and
as he passed he heard the words "dia-
mond cross" spoken. Johnny slackened
his pace and listened.
"The diamonds are all of the first wa
ter" the gentleman said. ut was a
present to my wife from her father, and
she is terribly cut up at the loss. don't
suppose we shall ever find it,"
'YOu will advertise it, won't your" his
companion inquired.
"Oh, of course" the gentleman replied,
"but more than likely it has fallen
into dishonest hands, and unless the re-
ward is made equal to the value of the
diamonds we shall probably never see
Them"
When the gentlemen separated the
one who was interested in the diamonds
entered the city hall, and after little
inquiry, Johnny discovered that this
gentleman held avery honorable posi-
ton in the city department. After find
ing this out the lad took turn around
the park to think it over again.
Granny Leeds said was an EOffscOur-
ing and Miss Lee says l AIM" he argued
to himself. IF l keep them sinners Gran
ny'll be right and Miss Lee'll be wrong.
She said the Lord was giving me a
chance to make something of myself
Well, now, the question is, am Tor am ]
not an OffScOuring? If | keep these
sinners am, if 1 give them up l amt
Well, 1 ANTI" and with these words on
his lips Johnny started for the gentle
mans Office. Nothing daunted, he Gen.
tered and presented himself at the desk
Some of your folks have lost some
thing, amt they?" he asked.
"They have" said the gentleman.
will your honor tell me what it is
like?"
1T is gold cross set with diamonds,
and he described the relative positions
of the stones. ut was lost either in the
academy of music last night, or on the
way to and from that place."
JOhnny's coat was off in a twinkling
and with rip at the stitches which con.
fined his treasure he took it out and put
on his coat again. 81 s'pOse this is il" he
said, handing it to the gentleman. 81
wanted tO!keep them sinners awful bad,
he continued. They'd set me up in
business, them sinners would, but you
see l couldn't get to be such an OffscOur.
ing as that, though have Identifying tC
be thief all night long. If was your
folks" he went on, sd get a stronger
, string to hold them sinners, for feal
they'd be gone for good and all next
. time"
what is your name?" the gentleman
inquired, as the lad, with his cap in his
hand, stood mOdestly before him. join
Resnay," the boy replied. Have you
! father and mother" was the next ques
ton. Nobody, yer honor, but myself
(which would you prefer to do. John
ny?" the gentleman next inquired" g,
. into business or go to SCHOOL," Well
but there amt no show for that"
"We will see," said the gentleman
will you come into my Office, Johnny
, until l see what is best to be DONE"
"Yes, sir" Johnny replied, the tear
starting from his eyes. =" l shall wan
!, you to go home with me i'm an hour o
y two and give my wife her diamonds, an
y y see what she thinks of you.
!, " All right )" said Johnny, brushing
= away the tears. Anything to do, now