St. Tammany farmer. [volume] (Covington, La.) 1874-current, 1884-11-15
For Young Readers.
TOMMY BIGELOW RUNS AWAY.

Tommy Bigelow had as good home
and as kind parents as any little boy
could possibly wish to have. Bat al
though he had received the best of in
struction, and knew perfectly well when
he was behaving well. and when his
conduct was very naughty, there were
times when Tommy forgot all about his
kind parents, and would try them very
much.
As he grew older. his mother had
hoped Tommy would grow ashamed of
these naughty times as she called
them, but although he had been pun
ished repeatedly for his cross, disagree
able ways, the child grew no better,
and his parents saw plainly that some
pretty severe measures would be neces-
sary to show Tommy the importance of
becoming a better boy. He was eight
years old. and it was time he stopped
threatening and showing SO much tenn
per whenever he was denied ANYTHING,
or his will was crossed in any way.
For that was the chief trouble. 1t
was all well enough as long as mamma
said Eyes" to his reGue is. but when it
was best to say "No,' as it SO often is
to little folks. then out would go the
lips in an angry pout, his feet would
scuff or stamp. and now of late it had
| suddenly become favorite habit at
| such times to declare he would run
away. and the most provoking thing of
| all was mamma never took the least
notice of the terrible threat.
| ooh, but She d feel bad enough" he
| would saw to himself, ''to lind me gone
| sometime.
Now, Tommy knew. and mamma
also knew, that only two blocks off
| from their home i'm the city, was an in
stitution where children, who we're home
less, were allowed, in consideration OF
some small service, to get meals or to
stay all night.
At length Tommy's threats grew so
frequent that one day papa Bigelow
thought best. for reasons OF his own.
to call secretly ut this Home" and
have quite talk with the superin-
tcndent.
Not long after. Tommy one day want
ed very much to have money with
which to buy top like Willie Lees.
His mother refused, as Tommy already
had quite collection of tops OF various
kinds.
AS usual, Tommy was very angry. and
after muttering and fretting, finally
deslared if he couldn't have the money
he'd run away"
Mrs. Bigelow made no reply except
to tell Tommy if he didn't stop NUT
tering Immediately he would sit in his
room an hour, go with a very black
face Master Tommy went out OF the
room.
At supper time Mrs. Bigelow had
seen nothing of her little son since he
so angrily left her upon being refused
the money he wanted, and As he was
sti absent when his father came home
she told him that she shouldn't he
surprised if Tommy really had run
away.
"Oh. very WE'LL" said papa. 'if he
has, he'll soon run back again, that Is II
he can get back"
Soon after supper the bell rang. and
upon going to the door, Mrs. Bigelow
found a ragged child who begged for
ten cents, just the price of the fancy top
Tommy wanted.
IL never give money to children who
beg for it," said the prudent lady.
.Well, please give me some supper
l
ayes: YOU 90 to the kitchen, and III
give you something: but you must cal
It there" she added.
I'D rather eat it out doors.
s'NO: you must eat it in the kitchen,
if give you anything"
The little beggar consented with
rather bad grace, and going round to
the kit ,hen, the boy found Mrs. Bigelow
there, who told Bridget to give him
doughnut.
1t was evident the child was mo-
hungry, for a ter eating half Of it ht
laid the remainder on the table saying
! he'd had huff"
just as he reached the door, hi
turned and said to Mrs. Bigelow:
Say, ma am, if you'll give me :cr
cents I'll tell you where Tommy is.
"Oh, Tommy's all right" said Mrs.
Bigelow, brightly; Il shouldn't giv'
YOU a penny to tell ME that"
Around the corner the ragged DO.
met Tommy Bigelow.
"Well. did she give you tn,
moncy?' asked Tommy.
mo, she didn't; she said as how
, you was all right; she wouldn't give I
cent to know where"
where's the supper you begged?'
"She wouldn't give me bite onl.
what I'd eat right afore her." .
..Then l won't go home tonight
broke out Tommy. Il guess she'll b
scarf enough when bedtime comes ant
don't get back"
You might get in at the Home"
"Yes; l mean to-" said Tommy.
When Tommy. with some trepida
, ton, entered the charitable institution
! for homeless children, and met in tn
, hall Mr.. Beal, the Superintendent, h
! was very much pleased and relieved t
fina how willingly MIR. Beal consente
to let him stay.
: LETS see, what's your name?" h
|, asked.
Tommy Bigelow."
..Oh. yes. Have you had any supper
, Tommy
mo, sir"
Every we'll. you andthe other littl
boy can come and get some supper"
|, So Tommy and the little ragged DO
: he had picked up went to a gres
, room. and were given some bread an
, water.
lis this supper whispered Tommy
, in dismay.