Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1880-05-28
A " OFFSCOURING."

" You asked me, didn't you?"
"Yes, l asked you'll" the mission
teacher replied, sad, almost disgusted
expression on her sweet, young face.
"What did you ask me for, if you
didn't want me to tell youP / could IA
lied !" the boy went on in stolid sort
of way, and yet with a ring of feeling
in his voice.
"No, you couldn't, Johnny" the
teacher answered with smile, "be-
cause you promised, you remember,
that you would always tell the truth to
me-"
"Well, didn'tgo back on it, did IP''
"No, Johnny. Have you any OBJ
lection to telling me how often you have
taken things that didn't belong to youP'
"Mebbe L couldn't remember them
all, the boy replied, "but l never lifted
any thing very partikeler. Once the
old woman where hang out got sick,
and cried blue streak for oranges, and
nobody had any money to get 'em,
asked the old cove that kept the gro
cery store to trust me for couple till
the next day. He wouldn't do it, and
that night stole six from him."
"Why, JOHNNY"
"Why didn't he let me have 'em,
thenp" the boy went on doggedly.
"I'd "a paid him, cause | said would.
Anyhow the old woman got well off
them oranges.
"Then you are not sorry you took
themP" the teacher inquired.
"Well, the old woman had to have
them oranges, and somebody had to get
'em for her."
The teachers face was very grave,
and as her companion looked up he
saw the tears in her eyes, sight which
had a curious effect upon him.
"Don't make me tell you any more,
please, ma 'am," he said, dropping his
eyes, while his face flushed scarlet. 81
amt nothing but offscouring anyhow,
and it amt no 90 to fret about what |
do. was kinder dragged into this
place, else I'd nevera a bothered you.'
"What name did you call yourself?"
the teacher inquired. 81 didn't under
stand you"
"Granny Leeds always said was a
offscouring, and so | am
'What is an offscouring, JohnP"
"Oh! the leayin'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 off
securing but Gods own child, and he is
giving you chance to make something
of yourself. How much do you think
the things are worth that you have
taken, in all, JohnnyP'
"Them oranges was worth four cents
apiece when l took 'em; that's twenty
four; and then two loaves of bread /
lifted for two fellers that froze their feet
last winter, and mackerel to make the
bread go 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. | don'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 I'll have to own up" the boy
interrupted, in his bewilderment re-
lapsing at once into slang.
Wouldn't you feel better to confess,
JohnnyP" the young lady inquired,
not little troubled at the effect of her
lost in thought, and then lifting frank
face to his companion said, '' amt
never felt partikeler 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; only as amt lifted any
thing 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, if dropped the money in
them places so they'd be sure to find itP
If you don't think soI'll blow the whole
thing, if it takes me to the Island"
"What will you do, Johnny, if
somebody needs bread and oranges
and you haven't any money to buy them
withP"
"That's a sticker, ma'am. / dunno"
"And it wouldn't be strange if
something of that kind were to happen
any day"
"No, ma'am. There's something
putty centrally to pay with the folks /
know.v
"Well, Johnny, will tell you what
to do" the teacher replied. "Here is
my card, and when any of your ac-
quaintances are in trouble | wish you
would come directly to me; and if any
thing 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. This kind
naCE had hin, opI not &,
word could he speak.
Z" didn't mean to hurt you, Johnny,n
the tender-hearted teacher hurried TO
say. "You are willing / should help
you, are you not9'
"I guess you had better let me git,
now, Miss Lee, " the boy replied, huskily.
You could knock me down with a eye
winker. You needn't worry about my
remembering all you've said; but just
now I'm all broke up.''
"And can trust you, JohnnyP" the
lady inquired.
sit is 60, ma'am," the boy an
swered, simply.
Miss Lee tucked a dollar in his hand,
and Johnny hurried out of the building.
1t took considerable tact and skill, as
well as time, for the boy to satisfactorily
manage the business which his teacher
had provided the money for. For in
stance, the grocer from whom he had
lifted" the oranges had sold out TO an
other man, and Johnny was obliged to
hunt him up. He was at last found,S
poor and i'll, and the boy without mo-
ment's hesitation confessed the theft
and produced the money. al guess
can make it thirty cents, he said, sand
,that'n be little interest. i'll wouldn't
like to give you five dollars then you
may shoot me for crow"
The ex-groeer was SO surprised at
Inhufxylo oonfaocto,, and s.'l..o.. -