Daily Yellowstone journal., 1884-07-22
TOMMY BOBBlTT,
The Inierendent,l

| WI. 4 TltcHuIu Aittu uAtil Out Oh Tue
wagon and sat him down on the door
step. What little fellow he was. and
that q wondering, pleased look there
was in his eyel He had on coarse shoes,
blue check apron, and his pretty,
brown hair was cropped close under
the shabby cap. II was almost toe
cold day for such little boy to be
out without coat. Mrs. pritcharj
took him by the hand to lead him in,
and the little hand chung confdingly
10 hers.
whats your name, dear?" she asked
pleasantly.
Tommy Bobbitt," he answered,
readily. Am l going to stay here!"
Folks all dead" said Mr.. Prichard.
Mother went q month or SO back.
told them over to the contiguous we'd
take him and try him; and II he suited,
we'd keep him, and do well by him.
We don't know what kind of stock he
is yet; and il ! find any mean, dishon.
est tricks in him, back he goes. We
don't want to adopt dishonest boz.
"Oh! I know Tommy will be nice
little boy" said the wife kindly.
The Pritchards were farming people,
and well-to-do. They had never had a
child of their own, and, after much con-
sideration. had decided to adopt boy
when a suitable one could be found.
Word reached them that achild 4 years
old had recently been left upon the
town; and Mr. Pritchard, on driving
over 10 see about it, had brought the
little fellow home on trial.
Nobody knew how dreary aud for
lorn it had been in the county house
for little i-yesr-old boy, suddenly left
friendless. And nobody knew how his
little heart ached for the dead mother,
who, though very poor and unfortunate,
had sheltered him to the last.
But now in his warm, new home, he
frightened into rosy, pretty boy. He
had new shoes and stockings, and Mrs
Pritchard made him little coat, with
motherly instinct growing in her
heart with every stitch. He learned
the different rooms, and ran about them
fearlessly, he made funny little speeches,
he jumped and laughed like other
happy boys, and climbed boldly on
Farmer Pritchard's knee, when that
good man sat down to take his ease
after supper.
Hes got meat in him." said the
farmer, nodding approvingly; but !
don't know whether he's honest yet.
That's the thing on my mind"
Tommy had been there week-had
one week of sunshine the black
cloud came down upon him.
Farmer Pritchard had cough which
was apt to trouble him at night, and on
the bureau, near the head OF his bed,
he kept few gumdrops, which he
could reach out and get to soothe his
throat when the coughing came on.
One forenoon CHANGING to go into the
bedroom, his eye fell on the little paper
bag, and he saw there was not single
gumdron left.
That rogie, Tommy, has been here
he said 10 himself. Il know there were
five or six when l went to bed last
night; and, for wonder, did not have
70 take o single one. Tommy! Tommy
Look here! Have You been getting
my gumdrops?"
Tommy, who was playing in the
door, looked up brightly and said :
NO; l did not get any"
Did you take them, Lucy asked
the farmer, turning to his wife.
Mrs. Pritchard had not touched them,
and her heart sank as she said SO; for
who was there left to do il but little
Tommy Her husbands face grew
grave.
Tommy" said he, you need not be
afraid Of the truth. Didn't you take
the gumdropsY"
mo, I didn't replied Tommy
readily.
oh! yes you did, Tommy. Now tell
the truth
"No, / didn't"
"This is bad, very bad. indeed, said
Mr.. Pritchard, sternly. This is what
have been afraid of
"Oh Tommy" pleaded Mrs. Pritch-
ard. If You took them, do say So"
IF he took them repeated her hus.
band. Why, it is clear as daylight.
He had been running in and out OF the
room all morning.
But Tommy still denied the deed,
though the farmer commanded. and his
wife implored. Mr.. Pritchard's face
grew ominous.
I'll give You till noon to tell the
TRUTH" he said; "and then. if You don't
confess-why, I'll have nothing to lo
with a boy who lies. Well ride bacl;
to the poor.farm this very afternoon.
20 Joseph said Mrs. Pritchard, fol.
lowing her husband into the entry
He is so little! Give him one more
trial"
"Lucy," he said, firmly. when q
youngster tells falsehood like tina
with so calm face, he is ready TO tel
them by the dozen. tell you, its il
the blood. I'll have nothing to do will
q boy that lies. Perhaps the fear o
going back will bring him to hi
senses.
He went ont to his work; and Mrs
pritchard returned to Tommy, an,
talked with him q long while, vel,
kindly and persausively, but oil TO N
effect. He replied as often as she asket
him, that he had not touched the gum
drops.
At noon Farmer 'ritchard came int,