The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1884-07-05

clined them, saying that the cOrn-bread
looked SO delicious that he thought he
should hardly be able to eat anything
else. The pan was directly before him,
and he cut himself a generous slice as
he spoke. l watched him as took the
first bite, fully expecting some com
plimentary remark to mother; but none
came. He swallowed the piece he had
taken into his mouth, and then laid the
slice down by his plate, a peculiar ex-
preston on his face.
Il don't believe he likes it."
thought, and | was feeling very much
puzzled, and little hurt, when, to my
amazement, saw him, after hurried
glance around the table to see if he was
observed, transfer the slice of corn bread
to his coat-pocket.
At that moment mother, who had been
busy with the colfee-cups, looked up.
Il hope the corn-bread is to your
liking, Mr.. Styles, said she said pleas
antly. "Do take another piece.
THANK you, madam" said Mr..
Styles, and drawing the pan toward him
he cut another slice even larger than
the first
fully expected to see him eat this;
but he did not even taste it, and pres
emily it followed the first slice into that
convenient pocket. | felt so sure the
bread was good that | could Only con-
clude that he was saving the tWh slices
to eat on the road to Morrist2wn, or
that he intended it for some poor, starry
ing child he might possibly meef. And
yet poor, starving children wore not
common on our high road.
'Do take another slice of corn bread
Mr.. Styles" said mother, noticing that
he had none on his plate. II am SO
glad you like it,"
a have taken two slices ALREADY, you
know" he answered. 'Don't urge me
to take any more, please. d1 not feel
as if | could touch another mCTSel."
| His horse was saddled an-1 waiting
for him at the gate when we rose from
the table, and after thanking father and
mother for their hospitality, and regret
ting that he could not stay longer, he
mounted and rCtss away. | hung over
the gate and watched him disappear
down the road in cloud of dust, and
then ran in to tell mother what had
seen. She was in the kitchen washing
up the pots and pans, and Joe was
standing in the doorway feeding Dash
and Hero with some scraps he had col
lected from the breakfast table. I
"What appetites these hounds have"
he said, as | entered. Il have given
them that whole pan of corn bread,
mother, and yet they are not satisfied.'T
''They ought TO have put their noses
in Mr.. Styles's coat-pocket," | cried.t
''TheS would have found plenty to eat
there !
'NYhat do you mean?" asked mother,
turning around. Il don't believe you
know what you are saying, Jenny" !.
Yes, | do, | answered, stoutly. st
was watching him all through break
fast and he put both those slices of
corn-bread in his pocket when he
thought nobody was looking"
Are you sure of that, Jenny?" andi
mother looked very stern. !;
Yes, | am Just as sure as anything W
l returned. Il guess he thought hei
might be hungry on the read"
Mother made no reply; but going in
to the dning-room lifted the pan of
corn-bread from the table and looked
at it. A single glance was enough.
The pan fell with clatter among thei
breakfast dishes, and mother sank intol
a chair as if utterly overcome.
"Jenny!' she cried. "Oh, JENNY;
how did this happen? 1 told you so,
particularly which pan to put on the
table. No wonder Mr. Styles Couldn't
eat this"
why what's the matter with it?" Il
asked, feeling rather bewildered. "Il
put on the pan that looked best, NAM,
ma This had such a beautiful rich!
crust!'
Il know it had! The chicken gravy,
made it look rich Jenny, Jenny, Why
couldn't you nave minded me- This is,
the corn-bread | mixed up for the dogs,
and | put all the scraps | had left into
it-that chicken gravy which was down
in the cellar whole week, some mush,
left over from Wednesday, the scrapsi
of pork, and-and-dear knows what
else. 1 knew the dogs would eat any-l
thing, and l merely put in the corn
meal and water to hold the mess to-
gether.'
realized then what l had done, and!
of course | burst into tears at once, and
| throwing myself on the dining-rooml
! oOA", Sllcu uutI COull cry no more.
Mother did not attempt to comfort me-
| don't suppose she felt like administer,
ing kisses and caresses Just then, and i'll
is probable that she thought | deserved,
to suffer little. But when was quiet,
again, she came in and sat down by me-.
and told me that she had sent Joe off to-
Morristown with note to Nj. Styles
explaining the,whole matter.
Il have asked him to stop here on his
way home, she said, land l shall them
make some more corn-bread. But this
time | shall put it on the table myself" %
My tears began to flow again imme-
diately. 81 never, never will change!
the pans again, mamma. sobbed
''No, L don't think you WILL" said3
mother 81 am sure you have learned
a lesson. And want you to remember
Jenny, that it is a good rule to al,0ayS
do eTdctty as g0W are t0id."
wasn't able to speak in reply; but [
made up my mind TO follow that rule in.
the future. -FlOrence Il. HtkLoWeU, IN
Chicago Standard.
A Boston boy, twelve years old, was
arrested in Portland, Me-, the other day,
| L.