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

want me to tell you? could "a lied?"
the boy went on in a stolld sort OF way,
and vet with a ring Of feeling in his
y aNo. Won couldn't Johnny" the teacher
epswered with smile, because you |
nromised, you remember, that you would |
ALWAYS tell the truth to me-"
"Well, didn't go back on it, did I?"
mo. Johnny. Have you any objections |
to telling me how often you have taken |
things that didn't belong to your"
"Mebbe I couldn't remember them
all" the boy replied, "but never lifted
ANYTHING pertickelsr. Once when the
old woman where hang out got sick
and cried blue streak for oranges, and
nobody had any money to get them, l
asked the old cove that keeps a grocery
store to trust me for couple till the
next day. He wouldn't do it, and that
night stole six from him."
SWhy, Johnny
"Why didn't he let me have 'em then?"
the boy went on dOggedly. I'd "a paid
him, cause l said / would. Anyhow
the old woman got well of them
oranges"
"TRen you are not sorry you took
them?" the teacher inquired.
"Well the old woman had to have them
oranges, and somebody had to get them
for her"
The teachers face was very grave, and
as her companion looked up he saw the
tears in her eyes, a sight which had
curious effect on him.
Don't make me tell you any more,
please ma'am," he said, dropping his
ewes. while his face flushed scarlet.
81 amt nothing but an OffscOurlng
anyhow, and amt no good to fret about
what do. Twas kinder dragged into
this place, else I'd never bothered you"
what name did you call yOurself?'
the teacher inquired. Il didn't under
stand you"
"Granny Leeds always was an offscour-
ing, and so am"
HWhat is an nffscOuring, JOhn?"
ooh 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
offscouring but Gods own child, and He
is giving you chance to make some
thingj Of yourself How much do you
think the things are worth that you have
taken, i'm all, Johnny"
Them oranges was worth four cents
apiece when / took them; that's twenty
four; and two lOayeS of bread | lifted for
two fellers that frOze their feet last win
ter and a mackerel to make the bread
90 down. 1t was awful tough to eat
bread without nothing with it; and then
base ball that was worth fifty cents,
and all them things would make near
hand to a dollar. IdOn't remember any
thing else now.
"Well, John, shall give you dollar.
and / want you to go to those places and
pay for those things"
"Then I'll have to own up," the boy in
terrupted, i'm his bewilderment, lapsing
at once into slang.
wouldn't you feel better to confess,
Johnny" the young lady inquired, not
little troubled at the effect of her
words. For moment the boy seemed
lost i'm thought, and then lifting frank
face to his companion said, 81 amt never
felt pertickler bad about any of the things
'cept the base ball, and that could "a
done without, but ifyou say so, Miss Lee,
I'll give the whole thing away; only as /
amt lifted anything lately and don't
never mean to again, that would always
suspicion me, and make me out thief
when / amt no such thing. Don't you
think t'would 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
haven't any money to buy them with?'
That's sticksr, ma'am, dunno"
HAnH xyorl1n,t ho IL com, n
thing of that kind were to happen any
day."
mo, ma'am. There's something lput-
ty centrally to pay with the folks ]
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 come
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. The kindness
had OverpOwered him and not word
could he speak.
II didn't mean to hurt you JOHNNY
the tender hearted teacher hurried to say
"Y0u are willing should help you, arr
you nOt?"
Il guess you had better let me gil
now. Miss Lee" the boy replied huskily
"YOu could knock me down with an eve
winker. You needn't worry about my
remembering all we've said; but JUS
now am all broke up"
"And / can trust, you johnny" TIL,
lady inquired.
ut is go, ma'am," the boy answered
simply.
Miss Lee tucked dollar bill in his
hand, and Johnny hurried out of TIL
building.
1t took considerable tact and skill. a
well as time, for the boy to satisfactorily
manage the business which his teache
had provided the money for. For In
stance the grocer from whom he ha
"lifted" the oranges had sold out t
another man, and Johnny was Oblige
to hunt him up. He was at last found
poor and ill, and the boy without me
ment's hesitation confessed the theft an
produced the money. Il guess | ca
make it thirty CENTS" he said, land tina
will be little interest. If wouldn'
like to give you five dollars then 20
may shoot nfe for crow"
The ex-grOcer was SO surprised a
Johny's confession and subsequent gen
erOsity that he shook the boys han
heartily and invited him to step in agail
soon, which the lad promised as hearth
ly to do.
By nightfall these "black debts" a
Johnny naively called them, were al
settled, and then, after a scanty meal
the boy started out with his evening pa