The Superior times. [volume] (Superior, Wis.) 1870-1912, 1885-07-04
From the Christian Unionl
"A OFFSCOURING.'

=
"Why, john
''You asked me, didn't your"
eyes, | asked you" the mission
gusted expression upon her sweet,
young face.
"What did you ask me for, if you
didn't want me to tell you? [ could
a lied, the boy went on in a stolid
sort OF a way, and yet with a ring OF
feeling in his voice.
mo, you couldn't Johnny" the
teacher answered with & smile, ''be-
cause you promised ne that you
would always tell the truUh to me-"
''Well, | didn't 90 back omit, did | ?''
'No, Johnny. Have you any OBJ
lection to telling me how often you
have taken things that didn't belong
to you"
"Mebbe | couldn't remember them
all, = the boy replied 81 never lifted
anything 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 grocery store to trust me for a
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, sTd
paid, cause | said | would. ANYHOW
the old woman got well off them or
anges."
Then you are not sorry you took
them 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 a curious effect upon him.
Don't make me tell you any more,
please, ma am, he said. dropping his
eyes while his face flushed scarlet. II
amt nothing but an olfscouring any
how, and 1t ain Z ogood to fret about
what | do. | was kinder dragged into
this place, else I'd never bother YOU"
What name did you call yourself?'
the teacher inquired. "Ididn't under
stand you"
Granny Leeds always said was a
OtfScouring, and so | am. !"
''What Is an offscouring, 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. 'sYou
are not an offscoming, but one OF
Gods own children, and he is giving
you chance to make something o.
yourself. How much do YOU think
the things are worth that you have
taken in all, Johnny"
Them oranges were worth fou1
cents apiece when | took them; that's
twenty-fOur; and then two loaves O
bread lifted for two fellows that
roze their feet last winter and z
mackerel to make the bread 90 down
It's awful tough to eat bread witt
nothing on it; and then a baseball
was worth fifty cents, and all then
things would make near hand to =
dollar. / don't remember anythin.
else"
We'll, Johnny, | shall give you {
dollar and | want you to 90 to thos,
places and pay for all those things ,
Then II have to own up, " the boy
interrupted.
Wouldn't you feel better to con
Tess, Johnny" the young lady in
CURED, not a littleroubled at the eff
feet OF her words
For a moment the boy seemed lost
IN thought, and then lifting a franl
face to his companion, said:
II amt never felt perticerler baC
about any OF them things, 'cept tn,
baseball, and that | could a dom
without, but il you say so, Miss Lee
III give the whole thing away, only
as amt lifted anything lately. ant
don't mean to again, they would sus
plclon me and make me out THE
when | am tho such thing. Don't vol
think 1t would do, ma am, if drOppe,
the money IN them places so they,
be sure TO find it Ifyou don't thinI
so III blow the whole thing if it take
me to the island"
what viii you do. Johnny. if some
body needs bread and oranges an,
you haven't got any money to bu,
them with 2"
no." go
and it wouldn't be strange if some
thing OF that kind We're to happen an,
day"
NO, ma'am. There is sometbin
putty generally to pay with the folk
| know.
We'll, Johnny, I will tell you wha
to do, she replied Here is mvcard
ana when any OF your acquaintance
are IN trouble wish you would com
directly TO ME: and iianythingis amis
with you at any time, besure and sen,
messenger. You had better com
up tomorrow, anyway, Johnny, 10
want 70 give You some warm clothes
ana then 1t viii be easy for YOU to fine
the place next time.
Johnny hung his head. The kind
ness mad oyerpOwered him. and not ,
word could he speak.
dldn't mean TO hurt YOU. John
ny, the tender-hearted teacher bur
RED to say. you are willing IshouIf
help you, are You not?"
guess you had better let ME gir
now Miss Lee, the boy replied rather
husklly; you could knock me dow
with eye-wln6er. You needn't wor
~ ABOUT my rememberingall youhaye
sad; but Just now I'm all broke IN -
And can trust you, johnny p" tn,
lady inquired.
1T Is a 90, ma am" the boy an
swered simply "
Miss Lee tucked a dollar bill in hi,
hand. and Johnny hurried out of the
building. '-'
1t took considerable tact and skill
as well as time, for the boy to salts
factorlly manage the business which
his teacher had provided the money