St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1882-03-17
(FOr the New York Observer.)
Bad Books for BOYS.
Romance and Reality-From Life.
BY MRS. LUCY f. SANFORD.
(COncIuded.)

(COncluded.)
".
After dinner Mrs. Johns went to the
trunk i'll which she placed the clothes
of the loved Willie right after they
loved so well.
Every article she had kissed and
sobbed over as she folded and laid
them away with that great, bitter sOr-
row of her heart that could not say,
"Thy will be done" She had locked
the trunk, feeling she could open it
neVer-again.
But now she sat before it with peace
in her soul. Earth with its many
forms of temptation, and trial, and
suffering, and sorrow, and sin, she had
that day seen as never before. Her
happy, holy Willie, would she bring
him back to these? No! No! No!
She brought her boys clothes for
the boy who had been so strangely
sent in his place.
Bathed and dressed cleanly, George
was fine looking boy, but pale and
thin and delicate, with finely cut fea-
lures and small, nervous hands.
When Deacon Johns came into tea
he looked i'll silence moment, then
threw his arms around the dear famil-
lar clothes and sobbed aloud his pent-
up grief. The fatherly embrace
brought his own father to George,
and he threw his arms around the Dea-
cons neck and kissed him.
Each had another in his thought,
but the embrace brought their hearts
close together.
As soon as tea was over, tired George
went to his clean room and fresh bed.
Mrs. Johns dressed his feet tenderly,
and gave motherly dose to check
that hard cough, and bade him good
night. But before she reached the
foot of the stairs she heard him speak
and went back. She found, us she
neared the door, he was praying, and
her ear caught ''fOrgive," and "thank,
again and again, amid penitent and
grateful sObS.
The next morning, soon after Dea-
con Johns reached his shop, Mr.. Noyes
came in and asked,
''Is your tramp safe ?"
"My boy is safe, and a very nice
boy he is, too"
HdJ Dlth YOU Itlb WIFI Hlt HIS
vanished, and | thought maybe yOuI
boy had gone with him."
"What did you let him 90 for ~
''IIe went without let or hindrance
Yesterday Ned was very quiet; he
seemed pleased, but ashamed, anC
afraid ut the thought of his father
But Dick was overjoyed ut the idea ol
going to Boston. 1t was the only city
in the world, his mother was the bes
woman, she would be glad to see him
but not half SO glad as he should be t,
see her. He should be a wiser boy fol
the trip. He was very smart too
washed himself and his clothes, ant
Mrs. Noyes helped him mend them, IL
he said he wanted to he ready to &C
back, and Mr.. Bright would buy Ned ;
new suit, but of course wouldn't buy
him one. This morning | cOuldn'
find my boots. After looking about
went for the boys. Ned was fas
asleep, but Dick was not to be found
But at last we found this OH the sit
ting-room table"
He handed paper to the Deacon
on the margin of which was written
"Ned you don't catch me going hom,
like whipped baby. guess not!
have got Noyes' boots, cap and a V o
his and il lunch. You tell your fathe
to pay up and make mother pay him
BE IA good boy and learn your Sunda,
school lessons well. Bye, bye, baby =
"That boy must be found. He
young, proud, energetic and misguid
ed. That uncle is more to blame thai
he is"
They went at once to talk to George
He said:
''Ned's father is rich and will pay uI
But | guess you won't find Dick. II
is awful smart, and has read lots G
books and knows just how smart one
do things"
''These popular books for boys, wit
their false pictures of life, their hail
breadth escapes and wonderful eN
ploits, are criminal. | wish | coul
burn every one"
Search was made at once, and til
nearest town westward was telegraph
; ed, but the wit and wisdom of tw
sharp towns could get no trace {
Dick.
V.
While the rumbling of the cars wa
still heard as they rushed along til
prairie, tall, slight man, with Goa
trimmed with fur, a fur cap and ful
topped gloves, stepped quietly into til
shop and asked:
''Is Mr.. Johns in 2"
The Deacon came quickly fOrwar
and extended his hand cordially.
: ''Mr. Bright" said the stranger, {
he laid his cold hand in the warm pail
of the Deacon.
II knew it was you as soon as | sa'
you. Glad to see you. Your boy
we'll"
81 thank you. Is he here ?"
''NO, but not far off. Take sea
I'll go with you i'll moment"
As he sat down, the good Deacon
: feeling in every fibre of his nature ii
Boston east wind that wrapped Il
4 stranger as a mantle, and determiniI
to shield the boy from the cold bias
said:
"YOur boy is very penitent, and sOr
e ly punished, and very glad to go hom
e but" with "A smile, every much afra
. to meet you"
"He has reason To be-
Il thought you'd say that. kno
e you think it's none of my business