Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1880-06-22

is giving you a chance to make some
thing of yourself. How much do you
think the things are worth that you have
taken in all Johnny"
Them oranges was worth four cents
apiece when | took 'em; that's twenty
four; and then two loaves of bread lift
ed for two fellers that froze their feet
last winter, and mackerel to make the
bread 60 down. It's awful tough TO eat
bread without nothing with it; and then
baseball that was worth fifty cents,
and all them things would make near
hand to 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 all those things"
Then III have to own up the boy
interrupted, in his bcwilderment relapsing
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 a moment the boy seemed lost in
thought, and then lifting frank face to
his companion said. 81 amt never felt
partikilar bad about any Of them things
'cept the base ball. and that could "a
done without, but if you say so, Miss
Lee, I'll give the whole thing away; on
ly as | amt lifted anything lately, and
don't never mean to again, they would
always suspicion me, and make me out
thief when amt no such thing. Don't
YOU think 'twould do, ma am, il | drop
ped 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 more money to buy them
with
That's 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. There's something put
ty en'rally to pay with the folks
know"
well, johnny, will tell you what
to do" the teacher replied. Here is
nv card, and when any of your acquaint-
anccs are in ;roublc. 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 10 find the
place next time.
Johnny hung his head. This kind
ness had overpowered him, and not a
word could he speak.
Il didn't mean to hurt you, Johnny,
the tender-hearted teacher hurried to say
You are willing | should help YOU, are
you not
Il guess you had better lie; me git,
now, Miss Lee" the boy replied, huskily.
"You could knock me down with eye
winker You needn't worry about my
remembering ali you've said; but just
now I'm all broke up"
And can trust you, Johnny the
lady inquired.
at is go, ma am" the boy answered
simply.
Miss Lee tucked dollar bill in his
hand, and Johnny hurried out Of the
building.
1t took considerable tact and skill, a.
well as time, for the boy to satisfactorily
manage the business which his teacher
had provided the money for. For instance
the grocer from whom he had lifted the
oranges had sold out to another man, ,and
, Johnny was obliged to hunt him up. He
t was at last found, poor and i'll, and th'
bov without moments hesitation con-
fessed the theft and produced the money
81 guess can make it thirty cents" hi
said, "and that'll be little interest. i
2 | wouldn't like to give you five dollar
then you may shoot me for crow"
( The ex-grocer was so surprised a
Johnny's confession and subsequent gen
= erosity that he shook the boys hand hearti
ly and invited him to step in again soon
which the lad promised as heartily to do
By nightfall these "back debts" a.
: Johnny naively called them, were all set
4 tied, and then, after scanty meal, th'
boy started out with his evening papers
, About quarter to eight he had sold out
3 and then, as fast as his feet feet woulc
| carry him, he hurried to the neighborhoot
Of the Academy of Music to watch th'
| people go into the building. 1t was op
5 era night, and this was one of Johnny