Weekly Chillicothe crisis. (Chillicothe, Livingston Co., Mo.) 1878-19??, 1884-03-13
THE EXTRA TICKET.


Mr.. John Stevens was the teacher
of Sunday-school class of seven boys.
They were engaging boys; that is, they
engaged their teachers undivided at
tcntion in the class, since he was never
sure but what they would fire paper
wadS across the room, or draw the
curtain that ran on II rod directly
above their heads, or otherwise mis-
conduct themselves so rs to excite the
Just wrath of the superintendent, and
disgrace both Mr.. Stevens and them
selves. To tell the truth. they had
never done these things, at least since
John Stevens had been their teacher,
but he had heard Of their doing them
before, and fancicd that they might do
them at some time again, and 50 kept
his eyes pretty steadily fixed upon Tom
Drew and Percy Flint, knowing that
if he could hold these two. he was sure
of the rest.
Notwithstanding their faults and the
trials which they often caused his pa-
ticncc, Mr.. Stevens was fond of the
boys, and often believed that they
were fond of him Once in II while he
would have them around to his house.
or take them out for an afternoon. and
on one occasion they all went to the
American Institute Fair. The bows
are several years older now than they
they were then. They do not fire pa
per wadS, the curtain hangs undis-
turbed, and their general conduct is
quite correct. But as long us they may
live, they will never forget the cXcur-
sion of that night, and the little drama
in which they took part.
If George Maclay had been able to
90, there would not have been any
drama at all; but after they had cot so
far as to buy the Fair tickets 1T the
elevated railroad station George be-
came suddenly i'll, and declared that
he must go home, He would not let
anybody 30 with him. 1t was bad
enough to lose his own fun, without
spelling any one clSc'S; so he mourn
fully badc them goodnight, and went
down the long flight of steps,
This left Mr.. Stevens with one ticket
over, and after they had got in the car
the boys discussed among themselves
what should be done with it.
'Let me scllit for you, Mr.. Stevens"
Tom Drew proposed, "T'll stand out
side the door and offer it for forty
cents. Most anybody'll give me that
for it,"
"Oh, get outr' objected Percy Flint.
"You don suppose Mr., Stevens is go-
ing to sell it do you? He'll give it
away. Amt You going to give il away,
Mr.. Stevens
Mr.. Stevens laughed I'm tell You
what I'll do he said; "l'll give it to
any one whom you six boys agree up
on. This was putting II heavy re-
sponsibility upon them, and the boys
looked at one another with as much
gravity us if the ticket had cost five
dollars.
"Wcll, said Tom Drew, looking up
and down the ear, suppose we give it
to that old fellow down there in the
corner
THAT foreigner" exclaimed Bob
Merritt, surveying the mans shabby
and sad countenance. He'd
better 90 to the poor-housc; that's the
place for him
This seemed the opinion of the rest;
and, indeed, there appeared to be no
one in the car on whom they could all
agree.
"Oh, there's nobody here that wants
onc,' said Percy at length, Lets
wait till we get alt. Therc'll be some
body hanging around the door,
When finally they reached the Fair
station, and had descended to the
ground, they looked eagerly round for
a subject, so eagerly, in fact, that Pete
Terry missed his footing, and fell half
down in a dirty pool of water,
There, nowr' he exclaimed dis
contentedly. my clean cuffs, too!
That's just my luck!'
"Well, you'll have to let them dry"
said Mr.. Stevens. But you can let
this boy rub off your shoe. Here
boy" addressing bright-faccd boot
black, lust clean off this young mans
shoe, will you?n
The boy planted his box at Pcte's
feet, and looked inquiringly into the
others face.
They're all wet said Pete COM
ut is only on the outside that they
are wet" spoke the boy with quaint
German accent. "See, will rub the
mud off and then they will be dry
again" He began rubbing vigorously
while the other boys looked on.
They would be better yet, but | am
only beginner"
The boys drew a little nearer, while
the foreigner whom they had seen in
.he car brushed by them into the Fair.
"Well, you do iirst-rate for begin
ner," remarked Percy, approvingly. |
Then turning to the rest: 81 say, fel-
lows, why can't we give the ticket to
his little chapP He looks as if he'd
appreciate it. Have you ever been in
side herePn he asked.
The boot-black shook his head. II
I'm waiting here" he said, "for my
,ather."
"Your fatherP" said Percy. "Why,
where has he gomez"
A panied look came into the little
boys face. "Ah, do not know he
said.
"But when did he leave youP" asked
Percy ''Did he tell you you mustn't
70 till he came backph
"Ah, no. It was six months ago
hat he left me, and | have been look
ng for him ever since, /