Mexico weekly ledger., 1881-10-27
the independently
TOMMY BOBBITT.

Mr.. Prltchard lifted him out of the
wagon and sat him down on the door
step. What little fellow he was, and
what wondering, pleased look there was
in his eye! He had on coarse shoes, a
blue check apron, and his pretty brown
hair was cropped close under the shabby
cap. It was almost too cold day for
such little boy to be out without a
coat. Mrs. Pritchard took him by the
hand to lead him in, and the little hand
clung confidingly to hers.
"Whats your name, dearw she asked
pleasantly.
"Tommy Bobbitt," he answered,
readily. Gam I going to stay here"
"Folks all dead" said Mr.. Pritchard.
Mother went a month or SO back.
told them over to the county-house we'd
take him and try him; and if he suited,
we'd keep him, and do well by him.
We don't know what kind of stock he is
yet; and if I find any mean, dishonest
tricks in him, back he goes. We don't
want to adopt dishonest boy.
ooh! I know Tommy will be a nice
little boy" said the wife kindly.
The Pritchards were farming people,
and well-to-do. They had never had a
child Of their own, and, after much con-
sideration, had decided to adopt boy
when a suitable one could be found.
Word reached them that child four
years old had recently been left upon the
town; and Mr.. Pritchard, on driving
over to see about it, had brought the lit
tie fellow home on trial.
Nobody knew how dreary and forlorn
it had been in the county-house for a
little four-year-old boy, suddenly left
friendless. And nobody knew how his
little heart ached for the dead mother,
who, though very poor and unfortunate,
had sheltered him to the last.
But now in his warm, new home, he
frightened into rosy, pretty boy. He
had new shoes and stockings, and Mrs.
Pritchard made him little coat, with q
motherly instinct growing in her heart
with every stitch. He learned the differ.
ent rooms, and ran about them fearless
ly, he made funny little speeches, he
jumped and laughed like other happy
boys, and climbed boldly on Father
Pritchard's knee, when that good man
sat down to take his ease after supper.
"He's got meat in him." said the far.
mer, nodding approvingly; "but 1 don't
know whether he's honest yet. That's
the thing to my mind"
Tommy had been there a week-had one
week of sunshine-when the black cloud
came down upon him.
Farmer Pritchard had cough which
was apt to trouble him at night, and on
the bureau, near the head of bis bed, he
kept few gumdrops, which he could
reach out and get to soothe his throa,
when the coughing came on. One fore.
noon CHANGING to 60 into the bedroom
his eye fell on the little paper bag, and
he saw there was not single gumdroI
| there.
"That rogue, Tommy, has been there,
he said to himself. Il know there wert
five or six when went to bed last night
and, for wonder, did not have to TAKE
a single one. Tommy! Tommy! Lool
here! Have you been getting my gum
drops?"f S,
Tommy who was playing in the door
looked mp brightly and said: No:
did not get any" - - 80
"Did you take them, Lucy% asket
the farmer, turning to his wife.
MM Pffschard had not touched them
and her heart sank as she said 50; 70
who was there left to do it but littl
Tommy? Her husbands face grew
grave.
Tommy" he said, "you need not b
afraid totell the truth. Didn't you tak
the gun1dsopsp '
"No, / didn't" replied Tommy
readily.
"Obto yes, you did, Tommy. Nol
tell the truth < -T.s,
"Nu, Z didn't" ~
This e bad, very bad, indeed" saia
Mr.. PdShard, sternly. 'This is what J
have been afraid Of" l :.
"otInnmyw pleaded Mrs. Pritchard
"H ysa1 took them, do say 50" -
"f'he took them w repeated her hus
band. "Why, it is clear as daylight
/ He hsd been running in and out d th
room III morning. - -, q.
But Tommy stirl denied the deef
though the farmer commanded, and hi
wife imp,6ssRT Mr.. PritchaIds fac
grew omanouas --....
"rH give you till noon to tell Il
truth, herxid; aand then, If you don
confess-why, IN have nothing to d
/ with boy who lies. Wen ride bacl
10 the poor-house this very afternoon"
40 Joseph!" said Mn Pritchard, fol
lowing her husband into the entry. H