St. Tammany farmer. [volume] (Covington, La.) 1874-current, 1884-09-13

| inc away, that ne might not see Inc
| tears in my eyes.
"Well, Sue, you see. didn't like to
take it; for she's awful generous, If she
is poor, and she tried to get it back on
me by saving she thought upper, and
twas only her lips that said lower. She
| meant upper all the time. She isn't
well-Sue isn't.
| .Shc's little and white, and ono po-
later ain t much of supper for the like
of her, anyway. And at last made her
cat the whole of it. | told her that we'd
have good dinner to-day. cause l
knowed somebody would buy my greens,
and I'm going to spend the whole five
cents for one dinner. What do you
think of that9 I'm going to get three
behring's at a cent apiece, and the rest
in potatoes."
And he smacked his lips as he thought
of the treat in store for them all.
81 think" he continued, that you've
paid me pretty well for my greens in
doughnuts without any five cents at all,
Still, as look at it, he added, with a
sly twinkle in his great blue eyes,
.'dougbnuts is doughnuts. and cents is
cents, and the doughnuts is present,
| anu the cents Is Ddl.
| laughed aloud at his reasoning.
which was certainly most sensible and
true. and then said:
/ Now Jack, want You TO keep your
five cents till some night you haven't
any supper, and let me ill your basket
with something that l know will 60
around. ivan. Susie to have glass
of fresh milk. So YOU must carry this
tin pail BESIDES the basket. Do you
think you can manage them boih?''
well, ma'am. | guess you'll see
whether can manage em or not. But
do you think can d s greens enough to
pay for ell them things you're putting
m?'
..No, Jack. L don't: for they are not to
he paid. | want to send these to your
mother-that is all; and as you said
yourself, doughnuts is doughnuts and
cents is cents"
40 -be-sure," he answered, merrily.
Well, ma am. | just wish you could see
'em when l tell 'em how good you've
been to me. Some folks amt good, you
know" he added, with sigh.
While filled the basket, he told me
their little history. never realizing how
full it was of the deepest pathos-the
struggles of the poor mother to keep her
family together after the death of her
husband. good, kind man, who had
left her one morning, full OF life and
strength, to 20 to his work in the great
iron foundry, and was brought back to
her few hours later. having met his
death while toiling for those he loved.
He did not realize. either, how his
own self-sacrifcing spirit shone out
through his words, proving to Inc the
strength and sweetness OF his charac-
ter. What Il hero he was, this little
elve-year-Old Jack!
Mother has worked so hard for Sue
and me that she hasn't much strength
LETT. And don't YOU think he added,
Strengthening himself up proudly
don't you think Pm lily enough 10
take care of us three? Leastways, I've
been lucky this morning. for I've sold
my greens and found yow."
The gratitude in his heart was plain
~ visible in his little face as he turned
it up to me.
/ told him that hcnceforth we would
be the very hest and warmest of friends,
and that happier days were in store for
him and those at home; that l could
find work for him to do which would
certainly help toward the support of ali
three.
| Such happy Jack as he was when'l
sent him home that April morning with
the heavy basket on one arm and pail
of milk ON the other; and l wish | could
tell you-for am sure you would like
to hear-what pleasant days followed
for Jack and those SO dear to him; but
it would make such a long. long story
we should never come to the end of it.
| Indeed, there is no end to it. 1t is a
story which is being ired through now.
and it grows more interesting and more
beautiful more tender and true with
every chapter.
Jack is proving himself the hero
knew him to BE-.
He works, early and late. on small
piece OF ground which we allow him to
cultivate on our farm; and he carries
his produce to town in basket strapped
on his back, and he is as happy rs a
King-happier than many Kings, l am
sure"
Little, pale Susie is not half SO pale
as she was before she. too, had the
chance given her to ''help-"
She has free range in my fower-gar-
den, and makes up the daintiest but
ton-hole boguets,' with which she fills
her small basket every morning fo;
Jack to take with him.
| He never finds the least difficulty in
disposing of them all. and proud little
lass she is when he drops the pennies
into her hands at n ght.
The mother, we think, is growing
strong and well again-happy in her
boys thoughtful care and CHEEKY,
light-hearted ways.
He is not yet thirteen years old. but
/ is mother calls him the ''head of the
house." and he truly deserves the title.
Brave little man-(iod bless HIM.
Golden Days.