Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1886-01-28
TONNES FORGETFULNESs.
The Trouble 1t Caused Him-A Story
for FOrgetful Boys.

"Two palings are loose ia the fence,
see," said Mr.. Townsend to his son one
morning; they are on the east side, and
I wish you to take the hammer and a
few nails and make all tight again."
"Yes, sir, Ill fasten them on tight as
I can."
"Be sure you do not forget to do it
jast as soon as you have finished your
breakfast, nay son, for it is the garden
fence, and pig could easily force an eE-
france, as the paIings hang by one nail
each."
"I'll remember, and go for the nails
= directly, father
"Well, good by all; must hurry or l
shall miss the train; it is about due now.'
With hasty kiss snatched from each
pair of lips presented to him the kind
father hurried off to the depot; his cot
ton shipped to Mobile must be looked
after. So Master Tommie was left to
atte nd to the fence. He intended to go
just as soon as he had swallowed his
last mouthful of corn meal muffin and
strip, but Ed Crsfts appeared on the
scene at that very moment, shouting
over the side gate:
"Tom, Toni oh. Thoml hurry up and
come out herel | got something 20 show
yer"
AS will be seen from his manner of
speaking, he was not young person Of
liberal education. but he had a kind
heart beneath his ragged jacket, not
withstanding his lack of education.
Moreover, he never presented himself
in Tommie Townsend's well-regulated
home, always hailing his friend from the
gate posts. Tommie bounded from bis
seat the minute be heard the familiar
ehout. shutting the remnant of his muf
fin with little regard to the size of his
mouth. As he was putting on his cap
his mother called out to him not to for
get the broken fence.
I'll be back directly-shsn't be gone
minute. mother dear"
And he meant to be as good as his
word. Tommie's intentions were al
ways right; the trouble with him was
what little girl once called "a bad for
gettity."
Ed had fine young coon TO show off
that morning. An old negro had caught
it alive for him, and he intended max
ing pet of it. Tommie was much ex>
cited over this baby from the woods
and its masters plans for its comfort,
and would have forgotten that there
was such thing as school if lie had not
seen some of tue boys passing with their
satcbels on their shoulders. am not
quite sure that he would have noticed
them, either, if they had not shouted to
him, warning him of the lateness of the
hour.
Now, there was to be a prize at the
close of the term for the boy who had
not been tardy once, and if matters con
tinued as they stood at present, Miss
GraDt, their young lady teacher. might
expect to furnish just lifty-six prizes for
not boy had earned tardy mark yet
no. not even Tommie with his 'fOrgetity.'
Hewas not going to get one this morning,
either, if he could helpit. Home be flew
as il on wings, huddled his books pell+
nell 0eaviBg bis Reader behind) into his !
satchel, and Without waiting to hunt up |
mother was off again like the wind
He did not earn tardy mark, it is
true; but what do you think he saw in
the garden as be entered the gate at
noon? A great pig roofing up the tur-
nips and everything else it could find.
Ab, those two pslingsl Temmie armed
with long stick and ran at the pig as
fast as two lively feet could carry him.
They had a long chase of it. for that
porksr did not cha nee upon such