The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1881-12-17
Adding to a Story.

AS Kitty Coleman and Mapcie Wor
were going to school one morninp. Kit.
ty said:
II was over at Uncle Frel,s last Sac
urday, and came near stay NO too lata
We had. such fun that 1 did not uOs;ca
how near the sun was to setting. and
was very much afraid 1 might meet
tramp" -
Did you meet one" inquired
Maggie.
"No one. but Johnnie Gates; be
was coming down the hill whistling,
and with great big watermelon under
his arm; 1 was scared at first, but when
L saw who it was | got over il"
AT recess Maggie said to Mary Ford:
kitty told me that she saw Johnnie
Gates carrying big watermelon home
Saturday evening. Wonder where he
got it and what he is going to do with
Before school Mary whispered to
Sallle Bates: johnnie Gates was seen
carrying a great big watermelon Satur.
day evening. l wonder if he got it hon
estlyr .....
"Mr. Hart melon-patch was robbed
about that time; may be that's where
1t came FROM" answered Sallie.
At noon Sallie told Susan and Jennie:
81 know something, and I'll tell you
if you won't breathe it to a soul"
80 no, we won't" cried both girls in
one breath; "what is it?"
"Why, Johnnie Gates robbed Mr.
Hart melon patch one nightlast week"
80 dear, isn't that awfulP" exclaim-
ed Susie.
Il always thought that Johnnie was
not SO much better than the rest OF us,
for all he made believe he was SO hon
est" said Jennie. t.
HE couldn't have done it alone"
Salie said.
Whereupon Jennie fastened to
group of schoolgirls who were in the
house and told them: Johnnie Gates
and a lot of other boys robbed Mr..
Harris melon patch, and destroyed all
they could not carry away
Just at that moment Jolnnle himself
came in whistling. and looking like any
thing but thief:
so girls! get togather quick; T We got
something for you, and it's most school
time.n
The girls looked at each other, and
with little movements of disgust turned
away.
"Why, what's the matter with you
all? hurry up, as the bell will ring"
cried Johnnie.
1--WE know what you've got, john
ME Gates" spoke up Sallie, "and we
don't want any of your stolen melon,
and think you should be ashamed OF
yourself"
"Who says stole a melon?" cried
Johnnie, in an excited tone 81 guess
he'd better not tell me so. was ever
at Uncle Henry's Saturday night, and
he gave me splendid one, andl saved
it on purpose to give you all some; out
if that is the way you are talking aboa'
me you may do without.
"Well." said one of the girls, "that
is what l heard. anyway"
"Who told you. I'd like to know
Then all began to talk at once, ana
became 50 excited that they did not no.
tice that their teacher was in the ROOM
until she spoke to Johnnie, asking nlm
to explain the cause, of the confusion
Then she carefully examined into the
matter until she found that it all came
from Kitty Coleman saying that she
had met Johnnie with a melon.
The children that had taken part IN
the story felt somewhat ashamed OF
themselves when they saw how much
the story had grown in their hands.
The teacher said: 81 hope every one
of you will learn lesson from this IN.
cident, and just now, before the habit |
becomes fixed, resolve that you will tel
nothing but what you know to be true
and that what you do tell, you will tell
exactly as you heard it; and not ten
anything to injure another, even If 1t Is
true. hope Johnnie will forgive you
and that you will never forget the les
son you have learned to-day"
am glad to say that Johnnie did for-
give them, and gave them piece ofthe
melon all around; and l hope that neil
Their they nor any of my little readers
will grow up to be tattling, gosSipplng
men or women. Morning star.