Southern standard. (McMinnville, Tenn.) 1879-current, 1881-03-05
VOL. II-NO. II.

refused to be comforted, because "buver
dot iipped." Mr.. Parks explained the
matter to his wife, adding that Johnnie
deserved more than he got, and mutter-
ing something about good five-dollar
bill to repair the damages, and that he
would not have such fooling.
"I never knew Johnnie to tell o lie,
whatever faults he may have. There
may be some mistake about it" said
Mrs. Parks, quietly.
"Oh! you'll take sides with the boy,r
of course, You are always spelling him;
he never will be good for anything - re-
turned her husband, not sufficiently
cooled to maintain his usual gentlemanly
manner toward his wife, in whom he
really had the utmost confidence in judg-
ment and management.
Johnnie was sobbing Historically, and
at sight of his mother almost went into
conyulsions. He assured her that he
was not only wholly innocent, but knew
nothing about it. She tried to persuade
him to 90 down to tea. He would not,
injustice is harder for child to bear,
because they can not reason as well as p
an older person. Mrs. Parks left John
ME with a heavy heart, and doubt in
her mind of Johnnies truthfulness. MIR.
Parks made no inquiries about him, and
seemed absorbed in his evening paper,
glancing sternly at his wife occasionally,
as much as to say, "You are coddling
that boy"
They were gathering around the tea
table at Mr.. Gunther's. He was wait
ing an opportunity when all the children
should be present to deliver his final fiat
against snow-balling. Clark was the
last one to take his place, and slid noise
lessly into his seat. His mother quickly
noticed something was wrong. His eyes
were red-had he been cryingp or was
it the cold windp
Mr.. Gunther spoke sharply about the
mischief done, and said perhaps it was \
unjust to punish one when all were tS
blame. SIT would be well" he added u
"to impress the lesson all around, AL
Johnnie was getting it when left. Now
you understand there is to be no more
snow-balling about my premises"
Clark arose to leave the table. :" Why
don't you eat your supper, sirp" de-
manded his father, sternly
"I-I-don't feel well," stammered
Clark. leaving the room. ,,.,yf
He seemed very studious, for boy
who did not feel well, that evening"
scarcely taking his eyes from his book
for two hours. Then he sprang up sud
. denly, startling them all, exclaiming:.
"Father, it's of no use, can't stand
it any longer; broke the window my
, self; Johnnie was not there at all.
| would rather have had q thousand fog
J gings than had Johnnie unjustly pun
ished. Come, 60 with meup there and
let's make it right
cit was not you who said that John
ME broke the window" said Mr.. Gun
ther, amazed. hl
7 "No, it was Bill Blase. He did it to
t throw you off the track. And I've been
SO sorry ever since that didn't own
right up. can't live lie, sir, anu I'LL
the boys on the street know that l didit.
Come, let us CO."
Clark was trembling violently. Eis
| mother put her arms about him and
8 kissed him without word; but 1t
8 strengthened him. His father held his
hand tightly all the way, too full of emo
ton to speak. ni D.
Mr.. Parks looked very surprised when
they entered the library. Clark blurted
| out the truth without hesitation, adding,
5 ~ do wish you would give me a whip
: ping, sir. Where is JohnnieP"
g "My poor boy! exclaimed Mr.. Parks,
sinking in chair. He had been secret
+. ly troubled all the evening, and found
D himself going over and over a column
D in his newspaper without understanding:
s He knew that he had been hasty, and
I thought perhaps too severe. lie realized
r an unusual commotion about the house,
f and hasty steps out and in the front
: door, and withal he missed his wife and
n the happy faces of his children.
It "Let us all 90 to Johnnie's room,"
t said Mr.. Parks, after a few minutes
!, silence. His hand upon the door, the
y three stood almost paralyzed at the
e words that reached them:
o "Oh, don't, papa; didn't know
: indeed l didn't know. Oh, DON'T
e Mamma! mammal" r,,. 49,;
s "Johnnie has been asleep" said the
8 doctor, staring wonderingly at the
d strange group that entered the room.
d 81 fear he is very i'll. What fever he
= has! What is the meaning of thisPn
he asked, looking from one to the other.
:. Mr.. Parks took Johnnie from the bed
d and Clark took the little hot hands in
IS his. Kneeling by him he cried, 4" i did
r it, Johnnie; | did it. broke the win
d dowl Do speak, Johnnie 0oiia,
y "This is queer, said the little doctor,
If slipping quickly to the boy, and scent
3. ing something of the trouble. ~ COM
it mand silence, or the child will die !"
Shivering sobs shook his frame, and he
% occasionally shrieked the terrible words.
Is The doctor prepared an anodyne, and
y ordered that the child should not be dis
ot turbed except to give the medicine. Two
ut hours after he looked in again. Mr.!
or Parks still held his boy in his arms;
n. great cords stood upon his forehead,
N showing his suffering. The mother and
Of Mr.. Gunther had both been silently
ct weeping. Clark lay with his face buried
in o pillow. The doctor examined
" Johnnie long and carefully, and finally
y. said he would be better when he awoke.
Of So the morning passed with lessa less
~ delirium, until, when daylight streaked
OF the sky, he mad been sleeping quietly an
hour. f''i
When he saw his watchers he shrieked
ut and sprang away from his father to his
Is mother. She soothed him, telling him
Or there was good news for him. Clark
h made him understand the truth in few
TX words, and showing the tender, forgiving
r. love of child to parent, Johnnie stag
pered TO his fathers open arms. and