, 1885-08-30
"A OFFSCOURING."

"well, yes, ma'am, | have stolcl"
why. John"

Utlis YES INN AN I ulNt olNhtA
why. John
"You asked me, didn't your
Yes, l asked yon," the mission
teacher replied. a sad, almost disgusted
expression upon her sweet, young face.
What did you ask me for, If you
didn't want me to tell youi l could n
lied, the hoy went on in a stolid sort
of way. and yet with a ring of feeling
in his voice.
"No. 0 couldn't, Johnny" the
teacher answered with O smile, because
you promised me that you would always
tell the truth to me-
well, | didn I 20 back on il, did r.
mo, Johnny. Have you any obiec-
ton to telling me how often you have
taSen things that didn't belong to yonT'
"Mebbe can't remember them all, -
tho boy replied. 81 mover lifted any
thing particular. Cnce, when the old
woman where | hang out got sick and
cried a blue streak for oranges, and no.
body had the money TO get them, |
asked the old cove that kept the grocery
store to trust me for a couple till next
day. flo wouldn't do 1t. and that night
/ stole six from him.
"Why, Johnny
why Qluu lOu itl INT nhNt tu
then9' the boy went or doggedly. 'Td
paid, cause | said | would. Anyhow,
the old woman got we'll of them oran-
ges."
Then you are not sorry ayou took
them the teacher inquired.
well, the old woman had to have
them oranges, and somebody had to get
them for her
Tho teachers face was very grave,
and as her companion looked up he saw
the tears in hor eyes, a sight which had
a curious effect upon him.
'ron t make me tell you any more.
please, ma'am." he said, dropping his
eyes, while his face flushed scarlet. 81
amt nothing but a %offscouring, anyhow,
and IL am no good to fret about what
/ do. I was kinder dragged into this
place. else I'd never bother you"
what nam did you call YOURSELF"
the teacher inquired. 81 didn't under.
stand you
Granny Leeds always said | was an
otIscouring, and so am
what is an oflscouring, Johnny
"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. You
are not an ~offscouring, but one of Gods
own children, and He is giving you q
chance to make something Of yourself.
How much do you think the things are
worth that you have taken, in all,
Johnny
Them oranges were worth 4 cents
apiece when | took them; that's "a; and
then two loaves Of bread | lifted for
two fellows that frozo their feet last
winter, and q mackerel to make the
bread go down. III awful tough to
eat bread with nothing on 1t; and then
a base ball was worth 90 cents, and all
them things would make neal hand to a
dollar. | don't remember anything
else"
well, Johnny, l shall give you "a dol
lar, and / want you to 60 to those places
and pay for all those things"
Then III have to " up the boy
interrupted.
Wouldn't you feel better to confess,
johnny the Young lady inquired. not
a little troubled Mt the effect of her
words.
For q moment the boy seemed lost i n
thought, and then lifting q frank face
to his companion, said:
81 amt never felt perticler bad about
any Of them things, 'cept the base ball,
aud that 1 could a dUnv without, but il
you say so, Miss Lee, I'll give the whole
thing away, only as ! ain lifted anything
lately, and don't mean to again, they
would suspicion me, and make mo out 4
thief when | amt no such thing. Don {
you think II would do, ma'am, IL |
dropped the money in them places so
they'd be sure to find i'll II you don t
think so I'll blow the whole thing if it
takes me to the island"
what will you do, Johnny, il some
body needs bread and oranges and you
haven't got any money 10 buy them
with
That's n sticker. ma'am. | dunno. y
And il wouldn't DO strange IL some.
thing Of that kind were TO happen any
day
mo, ma'am. There is something
putty generally to pay with the folks /
know"
well, Johnny, l will tell you what to
do, " she replied. Hero is my card,
and when any OF your acquaintance
are in trouble wish you would cont
directly to me; and II anything is amiss
with you at any time, DO sure and send
n messenger. You had better come up
tomorrow, anyway, Johnny, for I want
10 give you some warm clothes. and
then 1t will be easy for you to find the
place mex time"
Johnny hung his head. The kindness
had overpowered him, and not a word
could he speak.
81 didn't mean to hurt you, Johnny, -
tho tender-hearted teacher hurried to
say. you are willing l should help
you, are you notf'
II guess you had better let mo git
now, Miss Lee the boy replied rather
huskily; you could knock me down
with an eyewinker. You needn't 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 20, ma'am. " the boy answered
simply.
Miss Lee tucked a u bill in his hand,
aud Johnny hurried out OF the build.
ing
IL took considerable tact and skill, rs
we'll as time, for the boy TO satisfnto-
rly manage tho business which his
teacher had provided the money for.
For instance. tho grocer from whom he
had lifted the oranges had sold out
TO another, and Johnny was Obliged to
hunt him up He was at last found,
poor and i'll, and tho boy without a mo
ments hesitation confessed the theft
and produced the money.
II guess can make 1t 80 cents, he
said, and thatll be a little interest II
! wouldn't like to give s. then you may
shoot me for a crow. F"