The Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1860-1888, 1882-10-13
A Story for the Boys.


eight years older than he, we were al
ways together. Ny pleasure was never
real unless Tom shared it too. Taffy
was not sweet nor even my peanuts good
unless Tom had some; half my goodies
were always saved for him.
"But Toms temper sometimes got the
better of MIN, and when provoked but
wait little and you shall see what hap
pened to your big Uncle Tom for let
ting his temper run away with him.
Gone afternoon-a cold, cheerless,
rainy one, like this, dear-I sat looking
out of the window at poor little
meadow-lark that stood shivering and
wet on the edge of the porch. soon
called Tom to look, too, but, when [
turned to see if he was coming, and not
knowing he was so near me, accident
ally struck him in the face with my ell
bow.
Horrid, awkward thingr growled
Tom; and I received a blow from his
strong little fist which, am sorry to
say was not accidental. Mother had
Just come in, and saw the whole scene.
She made Tom sit alone on a Sofa away
from the window and the bird. till he
should grow good-natured again. But
Tom was not to be soothed in any such
a way, for he was really angry.
Horrid, awkward old thing! he
muttered between his teeth. [ just
won't stay in the house with such a girl
I'll run away, SO [ will. I'll run away
tonight he added, in louder voice,
intending to attract my attention and
thinking to brighten me.
What's that? said mother. Run
away from home, and to-night?'
g Yes, and [ am going right off now
if Jen don't say she's sorry
Very well, said mother, looking at
me and seeing no signs of repentance
in my face. You know I allow no one
in my house to tell a lie, SO I suppose I
must say good-by to you, Tom
"Up-stairs to his room directly over
head went the angry boy. We heard
him shake his long saved pennies out of
his tin bank; he rrd him pull out bureau
drawers, and then all was still, till
Master Tom, flushed, angry, yet calm,
tramped down the stairs He said
good-by to all the family except me,
and started out in the rain and wind.
Il shall never forget how forlorn the
little fellow looked as lie walked down
the path from the house to the barn.
An immense umbrella, old and torn, he
tried to hold over him with one hand,
while in the other he held a bundle, con-
tanning his best suit of clothes, clean
shirt, and his pennies. Noovercoat had
he, no rubbers, and only an old straw
hat which he had pulled down over his
eyes.
"Bang went the front door after him.
Oo-oo roared the wind as it followed
him! Splash came down the rain
through his torn, worn umbrella, and
even the grim tall cypress trees swayed
their dripping tops over the path as he
passed, as though they would send
down an extra shower on poor Toms
head.
"Soon it grew dark. But no Tom re-
turned OF course none of us thought
he would really go away. We supposed
the hottest of tempers would soon have
cooled in that nights storm.
can hour passed; the darkness grew
blacker.
"'Poor TOMB I thought, its all my
fault, every bit of it. and, although I
was IA years old and considered myself
quite woman, began to cry.
"But suddenly, much to my Joy, I
heard Toms step on the porch. I was
about to rush out and meet him, when
my mother stopped me.
"'No, child said she firmly.
"That minute the front door-bGl
rang-then it was not Tom at ALL [
thought.
Mother went to the door, and there
indeed was Tom. Lifting his hat to
her in the most distantly polite manner,
he said:
"'Good evening, madam. Will you
have the goodness to tell me the short
est way to B-?'
eve were then living at Alderwood,
in the country, and B was the nearest
railway station.
90 Oh, certainly mother said; take
the first road to the right B is three
miles from the turning
a'Thank you, madam came the an
swer from Toms proud lips; but his
moist eyes said plainly, I'm SO sorry,
mamma
"He lifted his hat once more and
walked calmly down the porch, off the
steps into the dark garden and among
the moaning cypress trees.
"tOh, mother, mother, how could
you?' I sobbed, no longer ashamed of
my tears. Tom will perish, I know he
will, and-I-.and L
"'Jennie, my child said mother. do
I not know best?' And that answer
was all I could get her to make.
Supper was forgotten; we all sat
gloomily around the fire. I was most
miserable could think of nothing but
how I loved Tom, and how lonely it was
without him, and how dreary he must
be feeling.
"But another hour had licked it's slow
way around the clock before we. heard
those steps on the porch again. Then
the bell rang again, as before. This /
time / went with mother to the door. /
Tom stood there. His hat was gone
his umbrella, too-his frowsy hair was
wet, and his hands purple with cold;
but in a plucky voice he addressed
mother:
"'Please tell me the price of nights /
lodging in b
"'I gave the man 80 cents yesterday. |
That bought him both bed and supper
viii you take me in here tonight?
asked Tom I can pay you And he
coolly showed mother his handful of |
pennies.
! "'No,' mother replied, we don't take