The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1880-11-27
The Good Little Boy and the Bad Egg.

There was once good little boy named
Abram, who lived in bad neighborhood
and was obliged to play with bad boys.
But he wore good clothes and kept his
face and hands clean, and didn't use any
naughty words. and sometimes he rebuk-
ed his wicked companions by going on
the other side of the street when they
were stealing boxes to build boniires with
and by saying. Oh, N.Y., when they
used profane language. He was SO good
that the bad boys were in the habit of
using his name as q sort of shield for
themselves when they got caught doing
mischief, So that good many of the bad
boys went unpublished because they We're
able to prove that they were friends OF
young Abram. Sometimes people remon-
stlated with young Abram for keeping
such company. and permitting the bad
boys to use his name for bad purposes.
But Abram always insisted that he exer-
cised Il good influence over them, and
that it was better that he should keep in
with them and restrain them in some de-
gree from mischief than to move away
and leave them to their own devices.
Abram undoubtedly meant well in this.
hut 1t seemed to great many people that
his staying with the bad boys. instead oi
putting any restraint upon them, only
gave them greater opportunities for mis-
chief.
One day civil and we'll behaved boy.
whom Abram had known for a long time
and been on very friendly forms with.
was passing through the street in which
Abram and the bad boys lived. The bad
bows. knowing nothing about him except
that he did not belong to their gang, at
once set upon him with mud, tomatoes.
and all sorts of decayed vegetables. Now
Abram was too good a boy to take part
in any such thing. and he said as much
privately, though he did not interfere with
the sport. After a while the boys took
chalk and tried to mark ''329' on the
strangers back, and Abram said he
thought that was rather more decent; he
didnt see that there was anything very
Objectionable in that. All this time, how.
ever. the strange boy was going along
quietly and behaving himself. neither the
missiles nor the chalk having reached
him. At any other time. or in any other
place. young Abram would have reioiced
in the escape of his friend across the
street, but now he was annoyed to think
that the boys of his own neighborhood
were wasting so much ammunition to ST.
little purpose. Pretty soon the boys
espied basket of eggs, and one of them
said to Abram: would it do to fire
eggs?" By this time Abrams sympathies
had become decidedly enlisted on the
side of the bad boys, SO after few
moments reflection he took the basket to
the edge of the sidewalk and said: That
boy over there keeps Cochin China eggs.
Perhaps he's looking for them" On that
hint the air in Il moment was full of eggs
mostly bad ones. And Abram himself
carried away with enthusiasm. seized one
and let it drive at his former friend across
the street. 1t didn't hit the mark. but
it struck the front door of Abrams own
house, and broke and smelt very bad
Then several of the bad boys were az
rested. but Abram was only called as
witness. And the Judge said: I" Abram.
why did You fire bad eggs at your old
friend?' II didn't know it was a bad
egg said Abram. II thought it was a
genuine fresh Cochn-Ch egg But
why" asked the Judge, did you send
Gus mannero" Well" said Abram. '.he
was getting out of the neighbood yer,
fast. aud | wanted him to have an omelet
before he left, and you can't have an
omelet without breaking eggs, you
know Then all the bad bays thrust
their tongues in their cheeks. aud the
spectators smiled. and the Judge told
him with great sternneSs that it was only
righteous retribution that the bad egg he
aimed at his friend had struck his own
front door.
This story only shows that little boys
who really mean to do good cannot give
too careful heed to the admonition CON
tanned in their copy-books:
Evil communications corrupt good
manners. III ihuHe.