The Arkansaw traveler., 1884-02-02
try to do better. Every night when go

to bed, l say to myself tha, tomorrow will be better, and think how old you are getting and can't keep from crying, but next day, when get out in the sum- shine and feel so full of life, turn my self loose and the first thing know I've done something to make people mad. Let me give some bran to old Bob, and he darted away.
 The next day, old Miss Patsey Bel scher came over. Before she entered the yard gate she called to Krenglore.
 "Tie tha. young savage up tell git in Tie him up or he'll murder me"
 What's the matter ?" asked the old man, going out to the fence.
 What's the matter indeed" replied the old lady "Matter enough an ain't a goin' to stand 1t, wush may never stir agin if do.7
 Come in an tell me whut's the trouble, an ef l can help you, I'll do it.'
 No, it ain't no use to come in. can transact my business here. This morn- in while was out cuttin' mess O tur- nip greens, that young Satan broth O d Nat come into the house an rubbed a i hanful O cuckie burrs m my nephew's hair. heard the chile a-oryin' bu, didn't know that nu,hin' was the matter. Yes, sir, an he didn't stop al this. fur he throwed my snuff in the churnin' O milk an spilled the whole, kit an bilin',' and the old lady lifted up her skirts like Miss Be,sey Trotwood and hurried away, leav- ing the old man scratching his head in sore perplexity. He said nothing to his wife of the las, outbreak, but waited until Nat came home. When the young ster arrived the old man said
 Come out here to the stable, want to see you"
 The boy obeyed withou, hesitation Now, you young disgrace O the face O God Almigh,ys yeth, taking down bri- de, :. am going to whup you within a i inch O your worthless life"
 "0h, don't hit me- throwing up his ] hands.
 Whut made you go 10 ole Miss Bel scher's an rub ouckle burrs in that child $ hair, an whu, made you throw snuff in the ole lady's m,lk!"
 i Don't strike me Talk 10 me. for 1 believe t does me good even If II does cut deeper than the bridle would. don't know what made me do II, but l couldn't help II. don't know what 10 do with myself. for every time try to do right, l do wrong. came by the old lady's house just now and asked her 10 forgive me and carried in some wood for her and penned up the sheep for her. oouldn | help crying when saw how worried the old lady was. and would give anything If l could undo the wrong l did her
 Nat, letting the brdle fall, you talk like man sometimes an l often think :ha, you are bese,. first by bad an then by good spirit. but am afeerd that one O these days when the bad spert is at work you will do somethin' that will hang you while the good sperit is with you. don't know wha, to do with yog Ii waster send you away from home you'd q, killed an if keep you here you are ,ormen, 10 the neighborhood have whipped you my last time am too old. Nat, l am too nea, my grave 10 whip you. To tell you the truth. my boy, love you. love you with an old mans strength, with love ,ha, passes down into brigh; summer O affection. v The boy sank 10 the ground and clasped his fathers knees. have whipped you often, but every blow fell on my own heart. Tears were streaming down the boys face. and raising his nigh, arm. he said, " If ever do anything else to cause you pain. hope this arm will drop of. ''
 Come. son. let's go to the house.
 There was no complain, the nex. day. and. the day following. when Ma; was called 10 breakfast. he said ;ha, he was sick and wanted nothing. His face wore strange expression, and the family was alarmed physician was called. bu, his medicines did no, seem 10 work any change. Three days later the physician said. m his blunt. though not unkindly way. it IS no use for me to come aeain. for the boy IS dying now" The neigh bors came in and stood around the bed. The boy, with his feeble grasp. held ms father hand,
 will no, be hung father"
 The old mans head sank apon the pillow. " think the good spi,i, IS a, ~Sis ao.s. Mo;hsE. wheEe a-e Yc. ! can't see you"
 "l am here. Gsrllnr." inc mother