Clarksville weekly chronicle. (Clarksville, Tenn.) 1873-1890, 1886-03-06
"a OFFSCOURING.p
lchristian UnIon.1
We'll, yes, ma'am, have stolor'
why, joint

Yes, | asked yon, the mission
teacher replied. a sad, almost disgusted
Impression upon her sweet, young face.
hat did you ask me for, if you
iidnt want me to tell your / could a
fled, the boy went on in stolid sort
SPt way, and yet with ring of feeling
n his voice.
no, you couldn't. Johnny" the
Eeacher answered with a smile, because
foI promised mo that you wouldalways
J lell the truth to me.
We'll, ] didn I 60 back on it, did ~
n NO, Johnny. Have you any ob'ec
ION to telling me how often YOU have
aiken things that didn't belong to YOU .
n "Mebbe can't remember them al. :,
he boy replied. 81 ne err lifted any.
hing particular. Cnce, when The oh
woman where | hang out got sick and
5;ried blue streak for oranges and no.
oouy had the money 10 get them,
isked tho old cove that kept the grocery
tore to trust me for a couple till next
lay. He wouldn't do it, and that night
stole six from him.
why, Johnny
why didn't you let me have EN-
henri the boy went on doggedly. "Pd
pald, cause said | would. Anyhow.
4 no old woman got we'll off them oran
les. - -"
men you are not sorry you took
1emf the teacher inquired.
We'll, the cid woman had to have
hem oranges, and somebody had to get
hem for her"
M
The teachers face was very grave
nd as her companion looked up he saw
nc tears in her eyes, sight which had
curious effect upon him, w
Il on make me tell you any more
please, maam," he said, dropping his
yes, while his face pushed scarlet II
int nothing but offseouring, ANYHOW
md it amt no good to fret about what
90. | was kinder dragged into this
place, else I'D never bother you"
a What name did you call YOURSELF"
ne teacher inquired. 81 didn't under.
ltand yon." ##e k&#N ~T
Granny Leeds always said | was an
s'ESceuring, and SO am
What is an offscourng, johnny
"Oh. the leavings of something that
lint no good.
Granny Leeds, as YOU call her, was
A'ery much mistaken about yourself
ohnny, the teacher replied. "You
re not an offseouring, but one of God
wn children, and He Is giving YOU a
nance to make something of yourself.
low much do you think the things are
worth that you have taken, in all,
ohnnyf 20
Them oranges were worth cents
piece when took them; that's "a: and
hen two loaves of bread lifted for |
wo fellows that froze their feet last |
|lVinter, and a mackerel to make the
Tread 60 down II s awful tough to
'lat bread with nothing on it: and then
base ball was worth 50 cents. and ali
hem things would make near hand to a
ollar. don't remember anything
lse."
We'll, Johnny, shall give you dol.
lr, and want you to go to those places
nd pay for all those things"
Then I'll have to own up, the boy
Wouldn't you feel better to confess
.ohnnyF' the young lady inquired. not
little troubled at the effect Of her
lords. s8F 81 #N G. Il
For moment the boy seemed lost in
bought, and then lifting frank face
!, his companion, said:
II amt never felt perticier bad about
ny of them things, 'cept the base ball,
nd that | could a done without, but if
on say So Miss Lee, Ill give the whole
ling away only as ! ain't lifted ANYTHING
.tely, and don't mean to again, thev
'ould suspicion me, and make me out
slief when | amt no such thing. Don't
.ou think it would do, ma'am. if |
cropped the money in them places so
sley'd be sure to find it2 If YOU don't
pink SO I'll blow the whole thing if it
e.kes me to the island"
"What will you do, Johnny, if some.
cody needs bread and oranges and YOU
1aven't got any money TO buy them
NTH"
That's a sticker, ma'am. I dunno -
"And 1t wouldn't be strange if some
tling of that kind we're to happen any
|ay." =
''No, ma'am. There is something
|utty generally to pay with the FOLKS /
now" #k9n 81 Ira asss 3
"Well, Johnny, | will tell you What to
b, she replied. 'Here is my card
I'D when any of your acquaintance
70 in trouble | wish you would come
irectly to me; aud if anything is amiss
it'll you at any time be sure and send
messenger. You had better come up j
P-morrow, anyway, Johnny, for want t
give you some warm clothes. and
ben it will be easy for you to find the .
lace next time. i
Johnny hung his head. The kindness
ad overpowered him, and not word e
pnld he speak. b
Il didn't mean to hurt you, Johnny" II
pe tender-hearted teacher hurried to n
~. "You are willing / should help |
bu, are You not" t
II guess you had better let me git |
pw, Miss Lee" the boy replied rather v
lskily; you could knock me down q
18th an eyewinker. You needn't worry a
bout my remembering all you have q
i'd; but just now I'm all broke up" =,
"And can trust you, Johnny the u
dy inquired.
ITS go, ma'am, the boy answered ;,
IMPLY. Ii
Miss Lee tucked 81 bill in his hand.
I'D Johnny hurried out of the build. a