The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1880-08-28
JOHNNY'S POCKETS.


"NoT pocket, sir; not pocket in
that whole suitr'
Johnny's face was the picture of dis
may.
"Why, Aunt Jane, what shall L do
without themp' he said, in slow, be-
wildered way.
"You wont be likely to raise toads
about your person, or be caught walk
ing into church looking as though you
had a pumpkin on each hip"
"But, my handkerchiefs, Aunt
Janepn
Aunt Jane smiled grimly.
Handkerchiefs, indeed How long
did you ever keep one before it was
lost, and when were you ever known to
use one? No; came to the conclu-
sion, before | decided to make this suit
up without pockets, that handker-
chief with you was-a-a Supernu-
merGry."
This silenced him. Aunt Jane was
in the habit of quenching with long
words his small attempts at argument
He was carrying several at the present
moment undigested in his busy little
brain, burden and a perplexity. So
he walked away dejectedly in his new
clothes, and Aunt Jane returned to her
clear-starching with triumphant smile.
"Hullo, Johnnyr' called Willie
Brent, from the middle of the street, as
Johnny was passing through the gate.
''Lend me your knife, please; see Ihave
broken mine"
Johnny's hands instinctively sought
the outer seams of his trousers. Then
he blushed, stammered, and the hands
fell despairingly beside him.
''1--I left it in my other Clothes he
said, in low voice.
This was true, but Willie regarded
him with slight expression Of wonder
in his handsome face.
"Your clothes are new, aren't they?"
he said, pleasantly, noticing them for
the first time. "You look fine, Johnny"
Johnny's heart sank. What if Willie
knew the hollow cheat they were! lie
glanced down guiltily at the miserable
sham pocket-ilaps on the jacket and
vest. How could he bear to have the
boys discover his condition? How long
could he conceal it? Who would be
the first to find it out, and what would
the boys think, and say, and do, if they
knewP These were few of the ques-
tions that began to torment him. He
would beg Aunt Jane to let him
wear his old mended suit-but she
up nights lately hurrying to finish
these clothes, and he had heard
her say that she was ASHAMED of he1
life'' to have him seen going to school
in those shabby garments.
Will went on up the street, and Johnny
wandered away aimlessly by himself.
The further he went, and the longer he
unused, the more sharply he realized his
disagreeable plight
He clasped his hands above his head
and walked, he folded them over his
breast and walked, and tried to forget
and Couldn't Then he tried to CON-
fort himself with useless arguments.
Might not boy live and even enjoy
himself tolerably well without pockets:
Aunt Jane was right about the handker-
chiefs. He never needed one. His
slate-pencil was tied to his slate in his
drawer at school, where he kept his
lead pencil, his pens and his rubber,
that he might have room in his pockets
for more precious things.
But alas, and alas! After long and
serious debate with himself, he remained
unreconciled.
A week passed away. The scholars
at school all noticed the change that had
come over little Johnny Blake, and
wondered at it.
Don't you see, Amy" asked viii
Brent of his sister, chow different he
isP He hasn't played ball once this
week; he wouldn't go fishing yester-
day; he mopes by himself half of the
time, and be says he ism sick either
Amy Brent, a motherly girl of four
teen, opened wide her blue eyes and
regarded her brother thoughtfully.
''But he was always quiet. Willie,
she said.
"Oh, yes," exclaimed Will, some
what impatiently. but know Johnny
Blake well enough. You watch him,
and you'll see what l mean.'
And Amy watched-and saw-more
than Willie had seen, more than
Johnny would ever have told; for she
discovered his secret.
Al Une ClOSC Oh duOlIlcI WYNN, Sne
drew her brother aside one evening al
home.
"Can you keep a secret, WHIP she
asked him, earnestly.
YES" he answered, without hesita-
ton, much impressed by her manner.
And then and there she unfolded q
well-matured plan in which he was to
assist-a plan requiring no small cool
ness and skill, and considerable daring,
but which Immediately met with his
full and hearty approval.
Meanwhile Johnny Blake had de.
clined perceptibly in flesh and spirits
From rosy, happy boy, never noisy
and obtrusive, but busy and healthy in
mind and body, he became listless
solitary.
In school he was still faithful and pa
tient at his studies, but out of school he
avoided his playmates all that was pos
sible, and one wish became uppermost
in his heart--to conceal his disgrace,