The clarion. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1883-1888, 1885-02-11
How The Story Grew.

How The Story Grew.
As Kitty Coleman and Maggie Weir
We're g ing to school one morning, Kitty
said, II was over at Uncle Fred's last
Saturday, and came near staying too
late. We had such fun that did not
notice how near the sun was to setting,
and | was very much afraid | might
meet tramp"
Did you meet any one?' inquired
Maggie.
NO one but johnny Gates, he was
coming down the hill whistling, and
with a great big watermelon under his
arm. | was scared at first, but when |
saw who it was, | got over it"
At recess Maggie said to Mary Ford,
kitty told me that she saw Johnny
Gates carrying a great big watermelon
home Saturday evening. Wonder where
he got it, and what he is going to do
with it.
Before school Mary whispered to Sal
lie Bates, johnnie Gates was seen car
rying great big watermelon Saturday
evening. | wonder if he got it honest
ly."
Mr.. Harris melon patch was robbed
about that time. may be that's where 1t
came from" answered Sallie.
AT noon Sallie told Susan and Jennie,
Il know something, and I'll tell you if
YOU woa't breathe it to a soul"
ooh, no, we won't" cried both girls
in one breath. "What is itP'
"Why johnny Gates robbed Mr.. Hart'z
melon patch one night last week"
"Oh dearl isn't that awful?." exclaim-
ed Susie.
Il always thought that Johnnie was
not so much better than the rest of us,
for all he made believe he was so hon
est" said jennie.
Whereupon Jennie FASTENED to group
of school children, who were in the
house, and told them Johnnie Gates and
lot of other boys had robbed Mr. Harris
melon patch and destroyed all they could
not carry away.
just at that moment Johnny himself
came in whistling and looking like any
thing but a thief
20 girls get together quick, I've got
something for you, and its most school
time"
The girls looked at each other, and
with little movements of disgust, turned
away.
why, what's the matter with you all
Hurry up, as the bell will ring" cried
Johnny.
''We know what you've got, Johnny
Gates" spoke up Sallie, "and we don't
want any of your old stolen melon, and
1 think you should be ashamed of your
self"
"Who says l stole melon?' cried
Johnny, in an excited tone. Il guess
he'd better not tell ME so. | was Over
at uncle Henry's Saturday night, and
he gave me a splendid one, and | saved
it on purpose to give you all some, but
If this the way you are talking about
me, you may do without"
well" said one of the girls, ''that ii
what heard, any way
'Who told you, I'd like to know"
Then all began TO talk at once, anC
became so excited that they did moi
notice that their teacher was in the
room ubtil she spoke to Johnnie, asking
him so explain the cause of the confu
sion. Then she carefully examined into
the matter until she found that it al
came from Kitty Coleman, saying thai
she had met Johnny with melon.
The children that had taken part in
themselves, when they saw how much
the story had grown in their hands.
he teacher said, Il hope every one
of you will learn lesson from this in
eident, and Just now, before the habi
becomes fixed, resolve that you will tel
nothing but what you know to be true
aud that what you do tell, you will tel
exactly as your heard it, and not tel
anything TO injure another, even if it il
true. | hope Johnny will forgive you
and that you will never forget the lessor
you have learned today.
am glad to say that Johnny did for
give them, and gave them piece of tn.
melon all around, and / hope thai
neither they nor any of my little read
ers will grow up to be tattling, gossipin,
men or women.-Exchange.