Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1886-10-27
ing; but when I do, I'll save it for

out, Wn1l0 AunU O6DOT6n D0Sdu 10
pick up the fragments strewn over the
floor.
"Oh, wait momentI" she cried.
Sam came back.
"Take this stone out with you, and
be careful what you do with it next
time" she said. "By the way, If you
wish to keep out of trouble, you'd bet
ter not keep company with that Flip
per boy" Aunt Deborah had arather
poor memory for names-F'if | had
him, wouldn't I give him a lesson!"
She uttered the last sentence with
such g. relish that Sam was glad
enough to get away. He was afraid
she might conclude to bestoW upon
him the salutary lesson which she had
promised to give clipper" as she
called him.
Sam hurried home as fast as he
could. His mother, pale delicate wo-
man whose wan features and sunken
eyes showed the effects of too hard
work, heard his simple tale, wiped
away his tears, and encouraged him in
his resolve to pay for the damage he
had done. From that day Sam be-
gan to be very diligent, and to earn
pennies in every honest way possible
to him. And every week he carried
some small amount to Aunt Deborah.
sThat boy mas some good in him"
she said when he had brought mis- first
installment. And though she grew
more kind toward him every time he
came, occasionally giving him a glass
of milk, sandwich or q cake, she
rarely failed to warn him against the
influence of that "Flipper..' boy.
His young companions laughed at
him for paying his money to Aunt
Deborah, and called him q coward for
not running away when they ran, but
all they said did not turn him from
his purpose.
One evening he went with a cheerful
heart to pay the last instalment. AS
room he glanced in. There sat Aunt
Deborah, earnestly knitting. The
lamp light fell upon her sober face and
Sam wondered if she ever looked
really smiling and pleasant. cit
doesn't seem as though she would be
so stiff with fellow" he said to him
self. Then, in response to her "Come
in, he entered the room and handed
her the money.
ST believe that is all, ma am," said
he.
eyes, that pays the whole sum-"
said Aunt Deborah; ''you have done
WE'LL"
ST am still very sorry I have trou-
bled you, and hope you forgive me"
he said.
CT do, with all my heart" she said,
earnestly.
"Thank you," said Sam, as he
started out. picking his old hat from
the floor, where he had placed it on
entering.
"Come back" said Aunt Deborah,
give something more to say to you"
With a startled look he turned into
the room. Aunt Deborah went to
the cabinet and unlocked it. She first
took out q pair of new shoes, then
half-a-dozen pairs of socks, some
underclothing, two nice shirts, g. neat
wooden suit, and lastly good felt hat.
ssSam," said she, to the astonished
lad, CT have taken your money, not
because I wanted it, but because |
wished to test you. [ wished to see
whether you really meant to pay me.
That Flipper boy would never have
done it, am sure. You have done SO
we'll in bringing me your little savings
that I have learned to like you very
much. Now I wish to make you a
present of these articles. In the
pocket of this jacket you will find the
money you paid me. ST wouldn't
take e. cent OF il. It is yours. You
must keep working and adding to it,
SO that you can soon help your
mother more. Go to work now with
light heart, and grow up a true and
an honest man. Tell your mother
that I say she has a fine son."
In making this speech, Aunt De-
borah's features relaxed into q pleas
ant smile; and Sam smiled, too, and
was SO pleased that he could hardly
utter his thanks.
"And mind you," continued she,
suddenly changing the current OF his
thoughts, 'sdou't associate with that
Flipper boy"
"Please, ma am," said Sam, feeling
g. twinge of conscience that his former
companion should bear so much of the
blame, syou have been very kind to
OOO OAl1 = AAIpCA OAOh AhOV OAO
stone would turn, as it did, and break
your window"
"Then why did he run away" in
quired Aunt Deborah, somewhat fierce
~. "IU's quite proper that you
should try to excuse him, Sam; but |
should like to teach him a good les
son."
"You-you-have taught me good
lesson" said Sam, with a blushing
face; "and I-I-thank you very much
for it."
Aunt Deborah smiled benignly
again, and warmly bidding Sam to
come often to see her, she let him out
at the door. She felt very happy as
Sam disappeared down the street, and
he was very happy as hehurried home
with his great bundle, and told his
mother all about it, which made that
good woman very happy, too. So
they were very happy all around.
And it all came about because Sam
had stood up like brave boy to con-
TESS his wrong, which is always manly,
arI 1o1 nfforoI 7soyooro tinr fnp II