The Pulaski citizen. [volume] (Pulaski, Tenn.) 1866-current, 1881-01-27
Our Young People
Willie Underwood's Sled.
BY ]. JAY DANA

in East Eighteenth street. Mr.. I'm
derwood was prosperous man so
! far as this world is concerned, but
had not secured the pearl of great
price. His wife was a true chris
tian, and took great satisfaction in
the service of her Saviour. She be
lieved that the only mode in which
she could show that she was q
branch of him who is the true vine
was by bring forth good fruit.
Mr.. Underwood someCme s laugh
ed at her for taking such an inter
est in the forlorn and destitute, and
told her she would catch Il cold or
measles, Or scarlet fever, or small
pox by visiting the tenement hous-
es In the lower part OF the street,
near the East river; yet, he es-
| teemed her 50 highly, that he was
ready to furnish money Tor her TO
60 on what ne called '.wlld goose
chase" after some wait who had
been at the house begging for cold
victuals, and told plLiful story
tabout the family who were sick and
suffering. He was so absorbed in
business that he was at his house
only morning and evening and Sun
days. The training of his only boy
devolved almost entirely upon the
wife and mother. He was q boy
after her own heart, and she i'm
pressed upon his tender mind e
duty of being kind to the poor and
unfortunate. With this training
Mr.. Underwood did not interfere.
He sometimes remarked, however,
that he hoped she would not incul-
cate her benevolent principles too
thoroughly, lest his funds should
not be sufficiently ample to meet
the drafts upon his purse.
Willie was about ten years OF age
and had never owned a sled.
Scacely anything holds higher es-
timation in a boys mind than a
sled, unless it be pair of skates.
Nearly all the boys that attended
the public school were supplied.
He had seen those who wore patched
clothes proud because they had
sleds on which they could draw
their little sisters TO school. A lit
tie rosy checked girl named Anna
Sherman lived next door to Mr.
Underwood. who attended the
same private school with Willie,
and he thought he would be quite
gallant if he could only have a sled
and carry her backward and for
wards to Miss Ainsworth's school.
He mentioned the matter tO his
mother and desired her TO ask his
father for a dollar and half to buy
sled.
mo, Willie you must ask him
yourself"
Christmas was approaching, and
Willie asked his father TO give him
dollar and a half, so that he could !
buy sled.
"a sledr' said Mr.. Underwood. |
Eyes, SIR
"What do you want with a sledT''
81 want it so that | can draw An
ma Sherman to school"
"Ah, ha then there is girl in the
case, is therer
"Mampla does not think it wrong
fo- me to ask her to ride"
No, suppose not. Your mother
believes in doing good to others.
l do not know where there are any
sleds, hereabouts."
Il lido, sir. Mr.. johnson, over in
the Bowery has has got lots of
them. They are all nicely painted
and have names on them"
"What is the name of the hand
soonest oneY'
"Skyrocket?"
"Skyroeket? Would you ask An
ma to take seat on skyrocket?
Perhaps you would never see her
again. What other names are
there?'
"Kite."
"Why, if Anna should take
seat on kite you would lose sight
of her very soon. You had better
get one with some other name.
Perhaps Mr.. johnson has got one
with your name on it. If he has /
will give you dollar and halt the
day before Christmas and you can
buy it,"
That very morning Willie went
over into the Bowery, and inquired
Of Mr.. johnson if he had sled
with the name of Willie on it. He
ooked over a large pile and found :
0ne so marked.
II want to engage that sled.
1on't want you to sell it TO anybody
Else. My papa has promised me a
lollar and half on the day before !
and l will come up and
get it,"
"Who is you papaT'
ga silk merchant on Broadway"
"a silk merchant on Broadway" y
"Yes, SIR"
"Well, l will save it for you, my .
title man, but you must be sure .
nd take it. There may be twenty =
'oys here that will want that sled, h
nd if keep it for you and you
ont take it, I may have to keep it
i'll next winter" S
81 will take it, sir; you may be v
ure OF that" A
Before Mr.. Underwood left the e
ouse on the day before Christmas
G gave Willie dollar and half !,
nd told him to buy his sled, !,
' lille FASTENED to the store of Mr.. :,
Crimson. Since his previous visit I
e had laid in a large supply of
Gods suitable for the holidays,
nd, as Willie saw them displayed, N
Is first thought was that here was p,
here Santa Claus got his supplies la
Or children. pl
Mr.. johnson and all his clerks =
ere very busy, and Willie was
aiting his turn. As he looked
,wBrds a window filed with goods, 4
e saw a boy with his nose pressed
gainst the glass, looking very in
.ntly at the display in the window. :
ie stepped to the door, and he
'und ragged urchin, with a mere
pology for shoes. He told him
Ir. johnson would let him come IN Z
I'D warm himself il he would not =
,uch anything. No sooner had Y