St. Tammany farmer. [volume] (Covington, La.) 1874-current, 1881-09-10
"'You Young rowdy, what are
you striking that little boy for ?


you striking that little boy for ?
"The newcomer was a middle
aged. benevolent-faced man, and as
he spoke, he emphasized bis words
by grasping the rough boys shoul-
der with no gentle hand.
"'He's a thief; he's got my pocket
book, was the sullen reply, with a
vain glance around for the compan-
ion, who lost no time in putting a
good distance between himself and
the scene of action.
".That he hasn't. I have been
watching the whole occurrence from
the stoop just over the way. l saw
this little lad find the pocket-book,
read the card, aud heard what
passed between him and you. 1t is
you who are the thief-in intention,
if not in actual deed; and now you
had better 60 away quickly, and
be thankful you are let off SO easily
"Then, taking Dicks hand, he
looked pityingly into the pale face,
all disfgured by his assailant's rude
fist.
"'Come with me, my little lad. +"
he said. 1t was my pocket-book
which you found, and I am going
to show you now that, no matter
what comes, honesty is the best
policy" to follow
"And Dick, going willingly, was
led to a cozy home, where a sweet
faced woman with a babe in
her arms came to the door to
greet her husband with The same
smile she might have worn when
he was her lover. And there. in
that home-nest, blessed by mutual
respect and love, the poor orphan
boy found a shelter. His benefac-
tor was n physician, and there was
many a way IN which Dicks active
hands and limbs could make them
selves useful; and there he lived un-
til the on-coming years brought
with them a restless, ambitious long
ing for independence. Then, with
tears in his eyes, he pressed the
kind hands of his friends, and start
ed out in the world to carve his own
fortune.
"He went West, to that land
where stout hands and hearts are
so much needed and priced. Sue
cess does not come without labor,
and Dick worked hard, and his ex-
ertions were rewarded. So he felt
when, ten years later, he was able
to invest in safe business quite a
little sum-the result of his own
industry. Then, yielding to an 'ir-
resistible impulse to ruturn and
look once more upon the faces of
his benefactors. he turned his steps
eastward.
cit was late in the evening when
he alighted at the station and walk
ed up the familiar street which led
to his old home. But he found q
disappointment awaiting hlm-the
house was vacant, and a sign To
Let was upon the door. He turned
away, to inquire in the adjacent
house, when sudden alarm rang
out upon the night air. Fire! fire!
At once tie bells changed, and with
the usual hue and cry, men and
boys trooped out to the rescue, and
amoug them, catching their ex-
citement, went the traveller. The
fire was some five blocks away, in
q large handsome house, and it must
have gained great Roadway before
being discovered, for already the
flames were licking the windows of
the third story.
"'It is DR.. L--who lives here,
some one says. He's my doctor,
and be told me the other day that
he was going into the country for a
while with his family"
The name acted like shock OF
electricity upon one nearer present.
Throwing off his coat, disregarding
the cries calling him back, Dick
rushed straight into the flame which
enveloped the Office door. With
superhuman strength he forced it
open; all.was dark Inside, but by the
lurid light which elared into the
windows Dick saw motionless
form in the chair before the desk, his
head surk upon his breast, and his
eyes closed. Selling the inert figure
in his strong arms he dragged rather
than carried it from The room into
the hall, and from thence out into
the open air.
"a shout of horror greeted him.
"'We raped and called and no
Ia