Mexico weekly ledger., 1881-10-27

boy that lies. Perhaps the fear of go
ing back will bring him to his senses"
He went out to his work; and Mrs.
Pritchard returned to Tommy, and
talked with him long while, very kind
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the house, and they had dinner. After
dinner he called Tommy to him.
Tommy" he> asked, "did you take
the gumdrops?'
"No, I didn't" said Tommy.
f"Very WE'LL" said the farmer; "my
morse is harnessed. Lucy put the boys
cap on. I shall carry him back to the
poor-house, because he will not tell me
the truth"
"Why, 1 don't want to go back" said
Tommy, very soberly.
But still he denied taking the gum
drops. Mr.. Pritchard told his wife to
get the boy ready. She cried as she
brought out his little warm coat and
cap and put them on him. But Tommy
did not cry. He comprehended that an
injustice was done to him, and he knit
his baby brow and held his little lips
tight. The horse was brought round.
Mr.. Pritchard came in for the boy. /
think he believed up to the last moment
that Tommy would confess; but the lit
tie fellow stood steadfast.
:. He was lifted into the wagon. Such
a little boy he looked, as they drove
away. He thought of the cold, forlorn
house to which he was returning, and
shuddered. The helpless old women,
the jeering boys, the nights Of terror-all
these he thought of, when, with pale
face and blue lips he was taken down
from the wagon and sent up to the house.
Farmer Pritchard watched him as he
went up the steps, slow, forlorn little
boy. He went in. The matron came
out for an explanation. 1t was given
and the farmer drove away.
The farmer laid a fresh stock of gum
drops on his bureau at night, and
thought grimly that these were safe.
He retired early not knowing what else
to do; but his sleep was broken.
Mrs. Pritchard could not sleep at all
The tears stole through her eyelids long
after the candle was put out, and the
house was still. She was thinking of the
poor little boy, even then, perhaps, COW
ering in his cold bed with terror.
Suddenly curious, small sound at
tracted her attention. 1t was repeated
again and again, and now and then there
was a tiny rustic of the paper. The
sound came from the bureau. She
listened intently, and her heart beat
loud with excitement. She knew the
sound well. ...:+
"Joseph!" she whispered. "Josephp
"What, Lucy" said her husband, in 8
voice that sounded as if he, too, had beer
lying awake.
"Do you hear that noise, Joseph? TIL
micep'
81 know it. What of it?"
otis mice, Joseph, and they're after
your gumdrops."
GOOD gracious, LucyW groaned Far
mer Pritchard upon his pillow. Il
flashed upon him instantly. He, an6
not Tommy was the sinner. The noist
stopped. The little depredators were
frightened, but soon began again. And
a rare feast they made of it. ,.a e.
1t seemed as if that night would nevel
end. The farmer heard every hour thu
clock struck, and at five he got up ant
made fire in the kitchen. His wife
arose at the same time and began to gel
breakfast. r.
81 won't wait for breakfast" he said
"You can have it hot and ready wher
we get back. I'll harness up and star
now, SO as to get over there by dawn"
In few moments the wheels rolled
noisily over the frozen ground out on tht
road, and away drove Mr.. Pritchard il
the morning starlight.
! Mrs. Pritchard brought out the tol
and the primer again, and made th'
kitchen look its very cheerfulest. Thel
she got breakfast. She baked potatoes
and broiled chicken, and made fritters
She put the incest syrup on the table
and plate of jelly tarts. She laie
Tommy's plate and knife and fork i,
their place, and set up his chair. Tb'
sun had risen, and the bright beams fel
across the table. She went to the doc
and looked up the road.
| Yes, they were coming! They drov
into the yard; they stopped at the door
and the wondering, smiling little Tomm,
was lifted down in Mrs. Pritchard'
eager arms. She held him very tight.
ooh! my lamb! my blessingv sh
murmured, womanlike. F 81
"Lucy, come let's have breakfast now,
said the farmer, cheerfully. "This littl
chaps hungry. He's our own little DO
now, Lucy. He's never going ava
from US again."