The Press., 1883-11-29
MY WISH-BeNE.

I had got the sswish-bone P It was Thanksgiving Day at grandfather's old place in New Hampshire, twenty three years ago last November, and I 8 little lad six years old. What a grand day that was Why, vision of the double table, with the great, well-broowned turkey and the plum pudding, so big it had to be brought on in milk-pan, comes back as freshly, more freshly, than the doings of last week. What eyes we have for good things when six years old And what ap- petites, too, for that matter
 No doubt grandfather had slyly slipped the wish-bone into my plate but I thought my finding it piece of the purest good luck, and was as proud of it as caliph of his conquests
 My faith in those days was strong in wish-bones. I picked that one clean, and as soon as dinner was over I wanted to wish. First one, then another of my cous- ins-Hiram, Frank, Emma-were chal- lenged to take one side of the bone, and wish with me- But they, older, all de- clined. "Its too green, they said. 'Hang it up over the fireplace till next week. But had my 'swish'' thing most wanted-in my mind, and was not willing to be put off, So still went round the table, teasing one and another to wish with me, till was ready to cry with vexation, while the others laughed at me.
 But my Aunt Theodora-how well re- member my fair-faced, blue-eyed Aunt Dora !-beckoned me to come to her. ''I will wish with you, my Eddy," she said.
 We wished-then tugged and twisted at the tough bone, she laughingly, I very much in earnest. I was the fortunate one, &l,nx 4lo4 %1,, 1o, of the wish-bone. I had wished for sled, and I got it two days after.
 Aunt Theodora did not then tell me her wish but still recollect seeing her write something with her pencil on slip of pa- per, and then she wrapped the two broken bits of bone up in it.
 Nineteen year psassed. was in Brown vile, Texas. It was the year 1877. Of myself I may say that I had not prospered thus far ill life, though had been engaged in various schemes for money getting. My associates there were bad, and am sorry to say was much like them. Step by step I had gradually fallen into debasing habits, and had become a companion of sharpers and adventurers.
 One day, toward the last of November that year, letter came to my address. I had forgotten the handwriting. The let ter seemed to have something hard and clumsy in 1t.
 I felt it curiously with my fingers, then broke it open. Inside was a piece of white paper, yellowed with age, wrapped round two withered bits of bone Pencilled on the paper were the long ago written words ::
 II wish that Eddy may grow up on honest man and true Christian gentleman"
 Beneath was written more recently "This was my wish, Eddy,-the or a i I didn't tell you, when we wis., ,.d +,, gether years and years ago. ,av st;1l ll hope that 1t will come true?" ''A''
 A curious sensation of s+ ranoo 1o,ox eo,. gotten things struggled within me at sioht of this relic of my Younger. purer years ' Yes, there was the old wish. bone Aoain 1 saw the Thanksgiving table and the cir cle ot dear ola home folks, amid them the thoughtful face and kind blue eyes of Aunt Theodora. ''' ''
 1 will not say that l was stricken with strange or violent remorse. But somehow was able, at that moment, to see clearly what l was and what I ought to be. and before l got up from my chair I had made a resolve. -'>~>
 Three days later I left Brownville and came home to New England. My first step was then to choose 8 useful. honest business one in which I felt it possible to live honorably before all men. And tn a4 I nave done. l am now trying to live an industrious, upright, honorable life, That old wlsh-bone and my aunt's gentle. pray. erful interest and love were the me ans. un- der God, of saving me from a life of vice and shame.