St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1885-10-08
Chr Gatedunian,
"a ORscouring."
From 40 Christian Union

teacher replied. a SAD, almost disgust
ed expression upon her sweet, young
face.
''What did you ask me for, if you
didn't want me to tell You 7 ] could a
lied the boy went on in stolid sort
OF way. and yet with ring of feeling
in his voice.
''No. you couldn't, johnny" the
teacher answered with smile, "be-
cause YOU promised me that you would
always tell the truth to me-"
"WeU. didn't go back on it, did y
"No. johnny. Have you any objec-
ton to telling me how often you have
taken things that didn't belong to
you p
"Mcbbc can't remember them all, y
the boy replied. 81 never lifted any
thing particular. Once, when the old
woman where hang out got sick and
cried a blue streak for oranges, and
nobody had the money to get them,
asked the old cove that kept the gro
Gerry store to trust me for couple till
next day. He wouldn't do it, and that
night | stole six from him."
"Why, Johnny :"
"Why didn't he let me have 'em
then ?" the boy went on doggedly.
I'D paid. cause / said | would. Any
how. the old woman got well off them
oranges"
"Then YOU are not sorry You took
them p the teacher inquired.
''Well. the old woman had to have
them oranges, and somebody had to
get them for her"
The teachers face was very grave,
and as her companion looked up he
saw the tears in her eyes, a sight
which had curious effect upon him.
Don't make me tell YOU any more,
please, ma'am," he said, dropping his
ewes. while his face flushed scarlet. 81
amt nothing but otfscouring, any
how, and it amt no good to fret about
what do. | was kinder dragged into
this place, else Id never bother you
"What name did y0u call yourself p
the teacher inquired. Il didn't under
stand you.'
''Granny Leeds always said | was an
oilscouring, and so | am"
what is an otfscoming, Johnny p
"Oh the leavings of something that
amt no good"
"Granny Leeds, as you call her, was
very much mistaken about yourself,
Johnny" the teacher replied. "GOu
are not an otlscouring, but one of Gods
own children. aud He is giving you a
chance To make something of yourself.
How much do You think the things are
worth that You have taken, i'll all,
johnny ?"
''ThcnI oranges were worth 4 cents
apiece when took them; that's 81 ;
aud then two loaves of bread that
lifted for two fellows that froze their
feet last winter, and IA mackerel tn
make the bread go down. It's awful
tough To eat bread with nothing on it ;
and then base ball was worth 81
cents, and all them things would make
near hard to Il dollar. | don't remem-
Der anything else"
''WclI, johnny, shall give You "A
dollar, and | want you to go to those
places and pay for all those things"
"Thcn I'll have to own up" the boy
interrupted.
''WouIdn't You feel better to confess,
Johnny p the young lady inquired, not
Il little troubled at the effect of her
words.
For a moment the boy seemed lost
in thought, and then lifting frank
face to his companion, said
- amt never felt perticler bad
about any of them things, 'cept the
base ball, and that | could IL done
without, but if yOu say so, Miss Lee,
III give the whole thing away, only as
| amt lifted anything lately, and |
don't mean to again, they would sus-
picion me, and make me out Il thief
when amt no such thing. Don't you
think it would do, ma'am, if dropped
the money in them places so they'd be
sure to find it? If you don't think so
I'll blow the whole thing if it takes Inc
To the island"
what will You do, johnny, if some
body needs bread and oranges and you
haven't got any money to buy them
with -
That's a sticker, ma'am. | dunno"
"And it wouldn't he strange if some
thing of that kind were to happen any
day"
"No, maam. There is something
putty generally to pay with the folks |
know
''Well, johnny, will tell you what
to do" she replied. Here is my card,
and when any of your acquaintahces
are in trouble wish You would come
directly to me: and if anything is
and send a messenger. You had bet
ter come up tomorrow, anyway,
Johnny, for want to give YOU some
warm clothes, and then it will be easy
for Won to find the place next time"
Johnny hung his head. The kind
ness had overpowered him, and not IA
word could he speak.
Il didn't mean To hurt you, johnny"
Z L.. .l.4t. IN
say. ''Nou are willing | should help
you, are yOu not p
Il guess Won had better let me git
now, Miss Lee" the boy replied rather
huskily .'you could knock me down
worry about my remembering all you
have said but just now I'm all broke
up"
..And | can trust you, johnny ?" the
lady inquired.
Its a go. ma'am." the boy answer
ed simply.
Miss Lee tucked a 81 bill in his
hand, and Johnny hurried out of the
building.
Ii took considerable tact and skill,
a. we'll a. time, for the boy tn satisfac-
torily manage the business which his
teacher had provided the money for.
For instance, the grocer from whom he
had Gifted" the oranges had sold ont
to another, and Johnny was obliged tn
hunt him mp. He was at last found,
poor and i'll, and the boy without
moments hesitation confessed the theft
and produced the money.
u guess ! can make it 30 cents" he
said, land that'll be little interest.
If / yyouidn't like tn give - then Vou
may shoot me for COW"
he eX-grocer was So surprised at
Johnny's confession and subsequent