Mower County transcript. [volume] (Lansing, Minn.) 1868-1915, 1880-12-22
CHRISTMAS AT UMBERLY.

The Winnerton's lived in Umberly,
and were just the jolllest, happiest, fam
ily you ever saw. Umberly was the
name Mr.. Wlnnerton Aad given to his
home, which he had purchased little
way out of the big city, for he wanted
his boys and girls to have pure air and
a chance to grow strong by roaming
about.
Mabel, the baby, was the family pet;
johnnie was only two years older; and
above them, like pair OF steps going up
and up, were three more-Blanche, and
Edith, and Dick. Dick, the eldest, was
the rogue of the family, sure to get into
trouble, and as sure to come 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 from the horse-cars at the corner
Of the street where his school was, and
slowly sauntered along until 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 the boy came
near he saw him standing, saw in hand,
near the cellar door.
GOOD morning, Sandy" said Dick.
GOOD morning, young gintleman,
replied Sandy. "Hould on till I show
you something" And away went
Sandy, with his ragged boots Gathering
down the steps.
"I'll play him trick" said Dick.
Hes left his precious old saw behind;
and I'll hide it Just for fun"
Dick seized it, and was just running
to hide it behind an open door near by,
when a rough hand was laid on his
shoulder and voice exclaimed:
"Ye're caught now; you bad boy, a.
stealin' from poor man"
"I'm not thief. It's only Sandy's,
and want to play joke on him. said
Dick, trying his best to shake off the
woman's hand.
"a joke is it? Well, you're a young
upstart, anyway; and stealin' is nc
Joke" Whereupon the old woman
beckoned to policeman, who came run.
ming across the street and caught the boy
by the arm.
What's the row? ?" he asked.
"Use the eyes of ye and see," sale
abe. Hasn't he Sandy Dooley's saw
in the hand of him, and didn't catcl
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, will
his book-strap and books under his arm
All the way to the station poor Dic]
cried and cried; but it was no use to tel
his story over again, for no one believe.
him, and the dirty old woman followe'
close behind.
When they tried to question the DO,
at the station, he sobbed so he could no
speak; and the kind-hessrted marsha
said: "Let me zee those books" Whe1
he saw written in them "Richard Win
nerton," he smiled, and said: "Sen
for the boys father"
Then the old women told her story
evidently glad to be of 80 much import
ance; and her evidence was quite owe,
whelming. "She saw the boy take tn
saw; and if that wasn't stealin' what wa
it?" While she was still talking til
door opened, and in came Mr.. Whine,
ton, who had driven down as fast as
pair Of horses could bring him.
Dick nearly shrieked with delight, an
exclaimed: "Oh, papa! Don't heliev
IT, I was only fooing, and Sandy wi
tell you so.'' =, IL. ~: TX
So Sandy was sent: for,. and said: III
was shure, sir, the little gintlemsn ooul
mean no harm, for it was always a; kind
good word DO bad ever since he had bt