Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1880-08-04
VOL. XXXVII.
"a ORscOurlng,O -
"Well, yes, mt'am, l hive stole!'
"Why. ,Johni"

er replied n sad, almost disgusted expires
sion on her sweet. young face.
"What did you ask me for, if you didn'
want me to tell you? could 'a'lied" tn,
boy went on in II stolid sort of way, an,
yet with ring of feeling in his voice.
No, you couldn't, Johnny" the teach
er answered with II smile, because. yol
remember, that you would always tell tn,
truth to me-"
well. didn't go back on it, did I?'
"No, Johnny. Have you any objection
to telling me how often you have taker
things that didn't belong to youP"
| "Mebbie | couldn't remember then
ALL" they boy replied, but never lifteG
anything partikeler. Once when the ole
woman where l hang out got sick, and
cried blue streak for oranges, and no.
body had the money to getm, l asked the
old cove that kept the grocery 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, thcn?"
the boy went on doggedy. I'D II paid
cause said | would. Anyhow the old
woman got well of them oranges"
Then you are not sorry you took
them?" the teacher inquired.
"Well the old womOn had to have them
oranges, and somebody had to get 'em
for her.
The teachers face was very grave, and
as her com mpanion looked up he saw the
tears in her eyes, sight which had a
curious effect upon him.
| an v,nlyn foil
please ma'am," he said. dropping his,
eyes, while his face flushed scarlet. 81
amt nothiug but a offScouring anyhow,
and it amt no 60 TO fret about what | do.
l was kinder dragged into this place, else
I'd never bothered you"
"What name did you call YOURSELF"
the teacher inquired. II didn't under.
stand you"
Granny Leeds always said was off
securing. and so am"
"What is offscouring, JohnP"
"Oh, the leavin's of something that
amt no good"
Granny Leeds, rs you call her, was
very much mistaken about yourself, john
n.y." the teacher replied. You are moi
an offscouring but Gods own child, and
He is giving you 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 is twenty
four; and then two loaves of bread
lifted for two fellows 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 Il
baseball that was worth fifty cents. and all
them things would make near dollar.
| don't remember anything else"
"Well, John, shall give you n dollar,
and want you to 90 to these places and
pay for all those things"
"rhen III have to own up" the boy
interrupted, in his bewilderment relapsing
at once into slang.
"Wouldn't you feel better to confess
johnny" the young lady inquired, not n
little troubled at the effect of her words.
For moment the boy seemed lost in
thought. and then lifting n frank face to
his companion said: Il ain't never felt
partikeler bad about any of them things
'cept the baseball, and that | could II
done without but if you say so, Miss Lee,
I'll give the whole thing away; only rs
ain't lifted anything lately, and don t
never mean to again, they would always
suspicion me, and make me out a thief
when ain't no such thing. Don't you
think it would do, ma'am. if | dropped
the money in them places SO they would
be snre to find itP 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 money to buy them withP"
"That's 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 putty
generally the matter with the folks
know"
"Wel, Johnny, | will tell you what tc
do" the teacher replied. Here is my
card, and when any of your acquaintance
are in trouble | wish you would comt
directly to me; and if anything is amis
with YOU at any time be sure and send ;
messenger. You had better come W
tomorrow, anyway, Johnny, for | wan
to give you some warm clothes, and thei
it will be easy for you to find the place
next time"
Johnny hung his head, This kindnes
had overpowered him. and not wore
} could he speak
~ didn't mean to hurt you, Johnny
the tender hearted teacher hurried to say
"You are willing | should help, you ar
you not?"
II guess you had better let me git, now
, Miss Lee," the boy replied, huskily
you could knock me down with an eye
winker. You needn't worry about m
remembering all you've said; but JUS
now I'm all broke up"
"And l can trust you, johnny" the
lady inquired.
'1ts go, ma'am," the boy answered
simply.
! Miss Lee tucked dollar bill in his han
; and Johnny hurried out of the building.
1t took considerable tact and skill, a
well as time, for the boy to satisfactoril
manage the business which his teache
had provided the money for. For instance
the grocer from whom he had "lfted
the oranges had sold out to another, an
johnny was obliged to hunt him up. II
, was at last found, poor and i'll, and tn
boy without moments hesitation con
fessed the theft and produced the money
, II guess can make it thirty cents" h
, said, land that'll be little interest.
i, l wouldn't like to give you five dollar
then you may shoot me for crow"
The ex-grocer was so surprised at John
: ny's confession and subsequent generosit
: that he shook the boys hand heartily an
invited him to step in again soon. whic
the lad promised as heartily to do.
BY night fall these "back debts" a
7 Johnny naively called them, were all sci
: tied, and then. after a scanty meal, tn
boy started out with his evening papers
S About quarter to eight he had sold ou
and then. as fast his feet would carr
3 him, he hurried TO the neighborhood {
the academy of music to watch the peopl
90 into The building. 1t was opera nigh
r and this was one of Johnny's create.
( pleasures; and so, with his back to
Q Lamp post, he gave himself up to the dt