The Pulaski citizen. [volume] (Pulaski, Tenn.) 1866-current, 1882-04-06

How Sidney Got the Place.

~AS" S@A3Sy NV s6S a~~H
He stood on the shore and looked
down longingly at the smooth sheet
of ice. How it sparkled and glowed
in the morning sunshine! He could
skim across like bird; he had his
skates strung over his shoulder.
What hindered him from crossing
the ice? Why, just rs he reached
the front gate, his mother had put
her head out of the window and
called:
''SidneyY'
''Yes'm."
you wont go on the ice, will
your"
Then he stopped, and looked at
her appealingly.
why, mother, the ice is strong
enough to bear n fourhorse team,
and it cuts off a good mile of walk. :"
Cant help it, my son. You
won't cross it, will your
Nom" he siad sadly; but the
window closed instantly, and his
mother went about her work with
a quiet face. She knew that when
Sidney said no, he meant it. So
the boy, though he looked at the
ice, had not the least idea OF trying
it; he merely thought that he wished
he had left his skates at home, in
stead of Juggling them along; and
he didn't see why he hadn't.
A dozen or more boys appeared
presently from different directions.
Going acrossT' asked Sidney
and half a dozen voices answered
that they just were. The skating
was prime. The most of them had
school books.
Come on" they said to Sidney
but he shook his head.
Can't
aren't you going across the
lake?"
mo, I'm going around the lake.
Mother didn't want me to cross ON
the ice"
''Ho! hor' Hal har' He! her
These were only a few of the an
swers. why, man, the ice is two
feet thick!'
Il didn't say it wasn't" he an
swered good-humOredly. Il only
said mother didn't want me to go
ON it. Good morningr'
OFF he went, amid shouts and
laughter. You know what iE-bred
boys shout at each other at such
times: Tied to his mothers apron
stringsr' "Cowardr' 'HBabyr' and
all those things. He whistled to
drown their voices, and tramped on.
He was not going to school. The
fact was, he hoped to get a place as
Office boy that morning. He was
on his way to see about it. If he
could only have crossed the lake, it
would have saved so much time!
He quickened his steps into almost
q run as he thought of it, and ar
rived, somewhat out of breath, at
the place advertised, to see two of
the boys who had shouted after him
at the lake, sitting comfortably in
two office chairs, chatting.
"You herew he said in dismay;
and wondered how many more
wanted the ploce.
Yes, they assured him they were
there; and they didn't cut through
into the lake either. They hoped
he had a nice walk this cold morn
ing. But there wasn't much fun
in teasing Sidney; he was so good
natured.
Il should have liked to skate
across" he said, swinging his
skates to the floor, "but mother
worries about it, and she asked me
not to go on the ice this morning.
So of course l didn't.
''Of couse 1 would?' said the
larger boy. MY mother is just
such a moody. She tried to make
me keep off, but L told her No, sirr
Catch me going around, with the
below zero"
Its queer what ails the moth
ers," said the third boy, laughing
There's three Of them it seems,
only mine is my grandmother.
Now, Tommy dear don't skate
across she said" And he MINI
cked the feeble voice.
"What did you sayF' inquired
his giggling friend.
"Oh, 1 said, of course not, |
grandma. l wouldn't think of such !
! thing meant, you know, that |
wouldn't think of such a thing as
around" Then there was
more laughing. Presently they be-
ran to talk about their chances for
he place, in the midst of which the
Ioor to the inner office opened, and
he man who wanted a boy called
ne of them to him.
The other boys waited until in
urn each had been to talk with the
lwyer. He took their names and
ges, and asked for specimens of
heir handwriting, and gave them
chance to show how rapidly and
they could add a column
f figures, then he left them all to
lemselves, and they discussed
leir hopes.
At last the door opened again,
nd the gentleman said:
Sidney Martin, 1 have decided
lat you are the boy L want. If
lie terms suit, you may consider I
ourself engaged. 1t is only fair to !
,plain to these others what de
ded me. Thomas is trifie more
pid at figures than you and Hen
s writing Is rather better; but {
e truth is, you all talked pretty
nd while you were alone here, and
at partition is thin. 1 want a
" who can obey his mother, even
hen he thinks her rules are unnec-
sary. And | want one who is
ither disrespecttul nor deceitful, i
lieh by your own stories you two o
re this morning. Remember, my
Is, that a boy who respects his
other, is very apt to be trust u
'rthy."
r