The new dominion. [volume] (Morgantown, W. Va.) 1876-1904, 1885-08-08
A BOOK TO BE ASHAMED OF.

Tommy fuckers Couscience and the Good
Resolution Which He Made.
AsI went down to the meadow this
morning, whom should see but Tommy
Tucker half buried in n coy heap of
Farmer Browns new hay. He was
reading out of book with yellow
paper covers; but when came near he
gave little start, closed the book. and
slipped 1t ont of sight Tommy and
are quite good friends. so ! knew, when
he put the book away so quickly, that
II was something that he was a little
ashamed Of
"a bright day TO you. Tommy
Tucker" ! said. Don't let me stop
your reading. Indeed, if your book Is
so interesting as IL seemed TO be min
ute ago, and If you don't object, wish
you would read aloud
Tommy's face flushed crimson.
I'll don't think you would care for
the story, Mr.. Earlston; and ibid
FATHER talk" +,
Now, this was SO unlike the straight
forward Tommy Tucker, who tells mo
all his little secrets. that l said right
out:
..Surely, Tommy Tucker dosen thread
books that he is ashamed to lethis
friends see"
The blush which had begun 10 die
out of Tommy fuckers face came back
with a deeper glow. !,
Il don't know that it's very wrong"
he said '.lt's only book about boy
who went off to kill Indians, who fought
sis bighwaymen single-handed and beat
them ALL and rescued lot of soldiers
who had been captured. and had great
many other wonderful adventures. III
show you the book" continued
Tommy.
mo, DON'T said. Il don't want
| TO read any book that you think bsd
enough to hide from me-"
Tommy looked hurt, but did not say
anything; so / went on: ,
"You see. Tommy, 1 am just taking
your own judgment on the book. II
isn't so very wrong. you say; and yet
| it is 70 wrong that you would rather
hadn't seen Il, neither would you like
to 90 home aud read II to your little
brothers. II it isn'ta wicked book, 1t
| IL a foolish book. Who ever heard OF
q boy who did the wonderful things
| that your hero does in the story every
dayp 10 isn't likely that you'll ever be
called upon TO fight band OF high
waytien. and it ISM likely that you'll
whip theft, single handed II you have TO
fight them"
Tommy was still silent.
May ask you question. Tommy
Does tfie reading of that bo~k make
| you study y0ur lessons better, or make
YOU more content at home, or fit you
better for the everyday work you have
10 doP Or does II take y0p away from
your lessons. make you Giseontented
with home, make you want to do i'm
possible things, instead of the plan
things that God gives you to doP' )
You are right, Mr.. Earlston,' said
Tommy, forgetting that ] had only
asked some questions, and that he was
really answering the accusation OF his
own conscience. "You are right. 1t
| is q foolish book; and II II isn't
wicked, it was making me wicked. II
was making me careless in everything.
Mother doesn't know why my school
averages were lower last week, and
why forgot some errands | had to do.
She didn't know about the book. l
didn't want her to know. I'll never read
Q book again that don't want her to
know Of.
He took the yellow book from his
pocket, and tore 1t to pieces.
Tommy Tucker" ! said, you will
never go far wrong il you don't hide
anything from your mother. Us. o.
Times.