The pioneer express. [volume] (Pembina, Dakota [N.D.]) 1883-1928, 1885-10-30

VIM i Cdu NOs
He took his pen, and wrote his name
in largo, lcgiblc hand.
Years afterwartl, when the dull boy
had become one of the most cclebrat-
cd men Of his day, he met again tho
man who had spoken to him those few
encouraging words. He said to him:
1T Is my firm conviction that owe
my success in life, under Gods bless
ing, to those few words YOU spoke to
me that day when sat sodiscouraged,
trying to WRITE"
Mrs. Browns RaE.BaE.
Tommy Brown sat on the doorstep
thinking. 1t was almost Fourth Of
July, and he had only few cents in
his pocket. How was he to get
enough to buy the fire. crackers he
wanted? In the little village where
he lived boys never had much money
to spend. but they wanted at least two
packs of firc-crackcrs apiece on Fourth
of July. Tommy lacked ten cents of
the needed amount, and where was he
to get it?
Presently Sam Town went by the
gate whistling, with bag on his arm.
"Hullo. Sam! Where IRE you 60
ingP" called out Tommy.
Down to Given store to sell rags"
replied Sam, checrfully, land get my
pay in iire-crackers"'
What splendid idea! Tommy sat
no longer 10 think; IL was time for &C.
ton. lie ran into the house to find his
mother, who was busy cutting out
aprons for little jamie. '
20 mother" he cried. ''Isn't your
rag-bag most full? May / sell the
rags, and buy fire-crackers with tho
money!"
Mrs. Brown had known her little
boys longings, but had said nothing.
because she had no money to spare.
So she too was glad when the rag bag
was suggested.
Eyes. you may take it. Tommy"
she said. I'm afraid, though. there
isn't more than five cents worth in it.
But there are some old pieces in q
chair there, that threw by this morn
ing, and there will be some waste bits
here when get through cutting"
Tommy went hopefully to the bed.
room closet. The rag-bag was rathe,
light, but he added the old pieces.
scarcely noticing in his eagerness that
they were not all so very old.
jamie had laid her dolls white dress
and ruti!ed skirt ON that very chair,
and her own best handkerchief, but
they were all thrust into the rag-bag
with Tommy's old pieces.
Then he went back and gathered up
all the shreds of calico his mother
could give him, and put in his slate
rag, besides. Then he weighed the
ia g-bag, and it still fell short. He
begged for torn towel; he ooaxed for
thin pillow case, and jamie bestowed
on him an old pinafore which really
could not be mended any more.
With all this he ran to Given's store
and Mr.. Given weighed the bag, emp
tied the rags down through a trap door
into his cellar, and paid Tommy a
ken from his pocket, he at once in
vested in fire-crackers. Then he went
home proud and happy.
The next day, when Mr.. Given's
broad cellar case doors stood open to
let in the air little May Given Slipped
down there to look at rags. Some
times she found pretty bits there for
patchwork. which her father always
let her have. This time, Joy of joys!
She found beautiful little dress and
skirt, which would just fit nor dolly,
and handkerchief. too. Then May
began to think to herself after this
fashion:
II s'pose some little girl broke her
dollie, and didn't want its things any
more. Stravagant girl she must be;
might have saved 'em till she got a
new one! Look Just like jamie Browns
dollie's things, but she wouldn't put
'em in old rags, course not! Guess I
won't ask her. I'll ask my papa NAV
! have 'cm, and then they'll be NINE"
So she ran and asked her busy papa.
who, without glance, said yes, and
little May proceeded to dress her doll
up beautifully,
Fourth of July came. and there was
just as much banging and popping in
Tommy Browns yard as in any boys
yard in town, which was great salts
faction to his small heart. In tho at
ternoon little May Given came stroll
ling over with her doll, to play with
jamie. But she found jamie very
sober.
II can't be happy at all May" she
said, "My dolls best dress is lost and
her rutlled skirt, ard she has to wear
her nightic all the time! Ican't find
'cm anywhere, and it has made me
cry two or three times!'
May began to look sober now, and
looked down at her doll doubtfully.
my doll'es got new dress. and
ruffied skirt, just like yours, Came
out of our rags, though, and papa
gave 'em to me. So they're my
things"
"lhere, now!' exclaimed jamie.
"Tommy's been and sold my things,
in the rag bag-I know he has! Tom
my! Tommy
Tommy came up, and when he
heard the story, he was as sober as the
rest. 1t looked very probable 10 him
that he had sold Janic's doll clothes
in the rags. In fact, he had no doubt
of it.
will it make any difference ABOUT
the fire crackers" he said. 1--WE got
about ten left, and l can hand them
back to Mr.. Given"
The sunshine came into little Mays
face. "Oh no, You needn't, Tommy!
she sa d swcetly. "Papa bought the
dsll:e things, and he gave to me.
Now they are mine, and I'll give 'enl
back to jamie. So now they're hers,
don't you see?"
They did see and after this settle.
mcnt of the difficulty, the sunshine
was bright in all three little faces.
Desperate Battle with Rats,
Utica Observer.