The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1881-03-30
just for Fun.

run boysw shouted Dick. There she
goes round the corner, catch her.
Half a dozen boys, big enough to know
better, came laundering along the pave
ment, whOOping like wild Indians, andlook-
ing not bit more civilized, with their hair
standing on end, caps in hand, and eoat-tails
f1ying wide behind them. You would have
believed they were Indians If you had seen
the object of their chase, for 1T was none
other than Poor Sail, ~ the match-girl, who
flew like a deer before them. Occasionally
she glanced back to her tieet-footed pur-
suers, terror and apprehension depicted on
her face painting and darling swift chances
from side to side, in the vain hope of seeing
some escape from the mischievOus rowdies
behind her. Almost crazy with excitement,
she did not see that the grating had been
raised in the pavement while some one
threw coal into cellar of house which
they were passing; and, with terrible thud,
down went poor Sail into the hole. This
was a most unexpected ami unfortunate
climax to their fine sport, and the thought
less boys were brought to a sudden halt. 1t
didn't seem at all funny to them now.
The gentleman living in the house, at
tracted to the window by the sound of their
voices, looked out at them and then stepped
10 the door to see what it all meant. Then,
as ever since the accusing angel appeared to
Adam in Paradise, they all began with one
accord to make excuses" and blame every
body but themselves.
'For shame, boysln said Mr.. Baxter
This proceeding is inexcusable- Don t
stand there bandying words but lend a
hand to the poor child; / fear her bones are
broken"
He walked rapidly around the house to
the open cellar door. With sinking heart
and trembling limbs, Dick Durham fol-
lowed, the only one among the boys who
had the manly courage TO face the sad
consequences Of their thoughtlessness.
Mr. Baxter lifted up the limp little figure
in his arms and as Dick caught a glimpse of
the white and rigid countenance, he was al
most beside himself with fright,
SIS she dead?'' he cried.
''She has tainted at least" said Mr.. Bax-
ter. II will take her up stairs and see if We
can restore her"
Mr.. and Mrs Baxter rubbed the dirty lit
tie hands, bathed her face, and used every
means in their power to restore conscious
ness to the PROSTATE form. To Dick it
seemed ages. He thought more seriously
in that short time than in all his life before.
He blamed himself bitterly that he had
lent himself to such contemplate, coward
ly act as to brighten a harmless girl, Just
because she was little street waif that all
the boys tainted and tormented. Visions
of policemen and Jails passed before his
swimming eyes, and he pictured the anger
and grief of his father and mother; the pain
it would give him to confess to them that
their boy they believed so honorable and
noble, was only an imaginary boy; that in
reality he was mean and cruel He drew q
sigh of anguish almost pitiful to hear as
the moan of poor Sail when she opened her
eyes. THANK Heaven she is not dead
then" thought Dick.
''Sall, Poor Sail, tell me you are not much
hurt" said he; but the wild words she spoke
IN told than oha yuaG HQliriOnc wit
pain and fright
Everybody knew that Poor Sail had no
home or friends, but lived like many Others
of her class, sleeping where night overlook
her in some cellar or any shelter she could
find. So Mr.. Baxter had his horse and
spring wagon brought to the door, mat
tress from lounge laid in ii, and making
Sail as comfortable as possible, took her TO
the hospital, that refuge humanity provides
for the helpless and friendless.
In the meantime Mr.. and Mrs. Durham
were enjoying good dinner in their pleas
ant dining-rOom. Just as Mrs. Durham
was wondering why Dick was not on hand
usual, the young culprit appeared. His
manner betrayed unusual agitation. He
was nervous and depressed His parents
noticed his confusion, but supposed some
thing had occurred at school to annoy him;
and knowing his confding and trustful dis
position, knew that in his own time be
longer he delayed the harder twas to breach
the matter, he began his story: How the
boys had commenced tormenting Sail, ''just
because she was so easy to scare" and had
kept up these prosecutions till they met
with the unexpected calamity of that morn
ing. He saw establishment, sorrow and dis
appointment in their faces during his recital
He did not try to shield himself from blame
He felt so guilty and miserable that nothing
they could have said would have added the
least weight to the load of remorse he car
ried in his bosom.
''Well, Dick" said his father at his con
clusion, II am grieSed beyond measure.
could not have believed my boy would have
been guilty of such a act l would have
thought you would have been one of The
first to resent an unkindness to one more
humble or unfortunate than yourself.
weak, distressed, pitiable child, especially q
girl, should appeal to all that is generous
noble and manly in a boy; and did no
think you would hesitate one moment t
defend her from any annoyances in you
power. l will not say have been deceived
in you, because 1 believe when you have
time to realize what the consequences may
be, You will be glad to make any PREPARATION
in your power"
That afternoon Dick could not study
neither did he want to meet his late com
panions in his present frame of mind. H.
started toward school, but branched off anG
walked down toward the pond The sam,
blue sky smiled above him as on yesterday
The same Iifflo ~ 20 ir the trees arched thei