The People's vindicator. [volume] (Natchitoches, La.) 1874-1883, 1881-01-15
A BOY OF THE RIGHT SPIRIT.

MIR. BARBER was one OF the men who
attract boys. 1t would puzzle good
many people to tell why. 1t could
hardly be because he flattercd them,
for he often told them some plain truths.
Still. for some reason, they were quite
apt to come to him and talk over their
affairs; and so he was not ut all sur
prised when Charley White came and
leaned on his fence one dav while he
was at work in his garden. He hocd
out his row, and then paused and asked,
rather abruptly:
"Well, Charley, what do you want
now"
"Five dollars" answered Charley.
Give dollars? Whcw! Idon't know
as have it for you
land if you had shouldn't want you
to give it to me. haven't come to
that yet. want to earn it,
''But how do you expect to earn so
much money, and 60 to school. too?''
~ didn't say ! expected to earn it;
may be ! don't. But you asked what l
wanted"
"Sharp boy!' said Mr.. Barber,
smiling. Perhaps l will make out
better asking what you want Of five
dollars. DO you want new doctor for
your bruised shoulder?''
mo; my shoulder is doing all right
now, aud | guess all it wants is time
and q little care. But did have an
awful time with that shoulder for q
good while; and l tell you what it is,
Mr.. Barber" said Charley. leaning
farther over the fence; "that sister Of
mine is not ten years old yet, but YOU
wouldn't believe what little woman
she is. She's next thing to mother to
fix fellow up and take care of him
when he's sick. I'm afraid l didn't
think much about it at the time; but
since I've been about again I've thought
q good deal. and I'd like to make Lou q
present. | know where can find set
of furs, such as some of her mates have,
and they would just delight her, and
the price is five dollars. Her birthday
comes in the fall, just when they would
come in good, and l wish could find
some way to earn the money between
this time and that; for am pretty sure
mother can't afford to get them. 1t
will be vacation part of the time, but
then don't know how soon my shoulder
will let me do anything hard. So !
don't know as l am likely to get the
money; but that is what should like"
"Well, WE'LL" said Mr.. Barber,
thoughtfully, "you might have been
thinking OF something worse. l can
tel! you one thing you may consider.
Mr.. Camp was driving the cows HIM
self this morning. You know he past
ures most of the village cows, and takes
them back and forth in the bargain.
He has just turned off that Dudd boy
because he could not depend upon him.
He wants another boy at q dollar
week. The work isn't very much,
and Can be done out of school
hours; but he wants a boy 10 be on
hand at the hour, every morning anc
every night, and, you know, boys like
to be OF whenever there is SOME other
place they would rather be-"
THAT is tying a fellow down pretty
close, in fact. No going off of an after
noon and staying late, or any such
fun"
"Just so; it would be good deal of
a job, and hang on a long while; so
perhaps you had better 60 and tell your
sister how much you appreciate her
kindness, and you would do something
to show it. if it did not cost anything.
Charley flushed. and said: ~ on think
my talk is only talk, see. But l don't
believe did much even of that, in the
time of it. when it might have done
some good. I'm afraid 1 grumbled and
complained when everything didn't Just
suit, and when it did, said nothing
about it,"
Shouldn't wonder q bit. You're
bound to make man yet. Those are
some of the sure symptoms"
well. Wen see. Good day, SIR"
said Charley.
"t1ood day." replied Mr.. Barber.
Charley went first to his mother and
then to Mr.. Camp. and the next morn
ing Mr.. Barber nodded and smiled to
see him passing with the COWS. and
many a word of cheer did he give the
boy during the long weeks, which
would grow tedious sometimes in spite
OF himself. But they wore away for
all that, and the season came when the
cows were no longer to go to the
pasture. Charley felt rich with his
tive dollars in his pocket, and more be-
sides.
Soon after came the day he had been
planning tor. When Lou opened her
door that morning to come down stairs
she found hanging to the outer knob
set Of furs which exactly suited her, with
q card attached, on which she read:
"For Louis birthday, with brother
Charley's love-"
What could she do, in her complete
surprise, but rush down to the dining
room, all excitement, and laughing and
crying at once? Meeting Charley, she