The state rights democrat. [volume] (Albany, Linn County, Oregon) 1865-1900, 1881-04-29
"A oPFsooURIEe.'

or replied; sad, almost disgusted AK
pfession On her sweet young face.
"What did you ask me for, il you
didn't want me to toll .ou. could
"a liedp the soy went on in stolid
sort of a way, and yot with ring of
feeling in his voice.
"So, you couldn't, Johnny" the
tescher answered with a smile, .'be-
cause you promised, you remember,
that you would always tell the truth
To me-"
"Well, didn't 60 back on il, did IT.
"No, Johnny. Have you any OBJ
Jcctions TO telling how often you have
taken things that didn't belong to youl"
"Mcbee | couldn't remember them
ALL" tho boy replied, ''but | never
lifted anything very pa,tickeler. Once
when the old woman where hang out
got sick, and cried blue streak for
oranges, and nobody had tho money to
buy 'em, asked the old cove that
kept the grocery store to trust me for
a couple till the next day. Ho wouldn't
do il, and that night stole six from
him"
1 "Wby, Johnnll"
"Why didn't he let mo have EN-,
thenP tho boy went on doggedly. "I'd
"a paid him, cause | said would.
Anyhow, the old woman got well efl'
them oranges"
Then you are not sorry you took
theml" the teacher Inquired.
"Well, the old woman had TO have
them oranges, and somsbody bad TO get
'em for her"
The teachers face was very grave,
and rs her companion looked up hc saw
the tears in her eyes, sight which hid
curious effect upon him.
Don't make me tell you any moro,
please, ma'am," he said, dropping his
eyes, y h le his face flushed scarlet. IL
amt nothing but oGscouring anyhow,
aud IL ain't no goOd 10 fret about what
/ do. ] Was kinder dragged into this
place, else Ia never q bothered you,"
"What name did you call yourself"
the teacher inquired. II didn't under.
staEd you"
Granny Leeds said ] WAS oascour-
ing. and 50 | ana"
What il an ofscouiing. Johrf'
"Ohi the l.avin's uf 49,. thing that
nin't no good"
Granny Leeds, -. 81 call L.r. was
very much mislnkri, si.l ,"n sie -ory
much mistaken shout ,put...ii. JuLm-
NY" the tvaslar ,",.i-.l. "Y.." -rr
not en onscntriu4. hH' G.HPan~n child.
And lis is giving you "a ehancs ~ make
something of Y"urrs,lf How mHrh 10
you think the things ais worth that
you have taken la ali, johnny
"fhrm oranges WIRE worth f.ui
cents apiece when / lo.,k ''n; that.
twenty four, and them two loates 0f
broad lifted for two fcllers that froze
their feet last winter; aud macktrel
TO make the bread 20 do~n. It's aw-
fui TO cat bread without il i; and
then has..- ball that was worth fifty
cents, and all them things would make
nesr head to dollar. | don't remem.
bet anything else now"
"Nell, John, | shall give you q
dollar, aud want you to gs to those
places AID pay for all those things"
Then III have to own up," the boy
interrupted in his bewildermsnt, re-
lap>ing at once into slang.
Wouldn't you feel better 10 confess
JshnnyP the young lady inquired. not
little troubled at the effect of her words.
For moment the boy seemed lost in
thought, and then, lifting frank face
to his comps nion, said: "I amt never
felt pertikeler bad about any of them
things 'cept the base ball, and that |
could "A done without, hut il you say
so, Miss Lee, I'll give the whole thing
away; only Az amt lifted anything
lately, and don't never mean to again,
they would always suspicion me and
mako me out thief when ain't no
such thing. Don't you think 'twould
do, ma'am, if l dropped the money in
them places so they'd be sure to find III
If you don't think so I'll blow the
whole thing, If it takes me to the
Island"
"What will you do, Johnny, if some
body needs bread and oranges, and vou
havn't any money to buy them WITH
"Thats sticker, ma'Am. ] dunno"
"And it wouldn't 10 strange if some
thing of that kind were TO happen
any day"
mo, ma'am. That's something
putty centrally to pay with the folks /
know"
"Well, Johnny, | will tell ven what
To do. the teacher replied. Here is ny
card, and when any Of jour acqsaint-
ances arc in trouble | wish yov,
would CONS directly TO inc, and if any
thing is amiss with yoa nj amy time,
be sure nnd send messenger. You
had better como up tomorrow, anyway.
Johnny, for want to give you some
warm clothes, and thsn it will be easy
for you to tind tho place next time.
Johnny hung his head. This kind
ness had overrowcred him, aud not a
word could he say.
'I didn't mean to hurt you, Johnny,
the tender-hearted teacher hurried to
say. "You are willing / should help
you, are you netl'
81 guess you bad better let me git
now, Miss Lee" the boy replied
huskily. "You could knock me dowr
with an eye-winker. You needn't
worry about my remembering all you've
said, but just now, I'm all broke sP.'
e And l can trust you, Johnnyf th'
(, lady inquired.
'It's go, ma'am,' the boy .nsweret
simply
Miss Lee tucked dollar bill ia hi
L.J a.l T~hno. I,,rr;a1 ont of fh,