The Bottineau pioneer. (Bottineau, N.D.) 1885-1895, 1886-11-04

such d 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 "Flipper," as she
called him.
Sam hurried home as fast as he
could. His mother, a pale, delicate
woman, whose wan features and sunk
en- 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
began 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.
"That boy has some good in him."
she said when he had brought his
first installment. And though she
grew more kind toward him every time
he came, occasionally givinghim q glass
of milk, a sandwich or acake, she rare
ly failed to warn him against the in
fuence of that clipper" 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 g. cheerful
heart to pay the last installment. As
he passed the window of the sitting
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. "It
doesn't seem as though she would be
| so stiff with a fellow" he said to HIM
self. Then, in response to her ''Come
in" he entered the room and handed
her the money.
II believe that is all, ma'am," said
he.
eyes, that pays the whole sum-"
said Aunt Deborah; "you have done
WELL"
ri am still very sorry 1 have troub-
led you, and I hope you forgive me-"
he said.
"I lido, with all my heart" she said,
earnestly.
"Thank you," said SAM, as he start
ed out, picking his old hat from the
floor, where he had placed it on enter
ing.
"Come back" said Aunt Deborah,
"Tve something more to say to you"
With a startled look he turned into
the room. Aunt Deborah went to g.
| cabinet and unlocked it. She first
took out g. pair Of new shoes, then
half-a.dozen pairs of socks, some un-
| %derclothing, two nice shirts, a neat
wooden suit. and lastly q good felt
hat.
"Sam," said she to the astonished
lad, II have taken your money, not
because I wanted it, but because I
wished to test you. I 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 q
present of these articles. In the pock-
ct of this jacket you will find the mon
ey you have paid me. wouldn't
take a cent Of it. 1t is yours. You
must keep working and adding to it,
SO that you can soon help your moth
or more. Cote work nov with g. light
heart, and grow up a true. and an
honest man. Tell your mother that
I say she had fine son."
In making this speech, Aunt Debo.
rah's features relaxed into a pleasant
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, "don't associate with that
Flipper boyl"
"Please, ma'am," said SAM, feeling
a twinge Of conscience that his former
companion should bear so much Of
the blame, "you have been very kind
to me, but Bill Philper didn't know
the stone would turn, as it did, and
break your window"
"Then why did he run away" in
CURED Aunt Deborah, somewhat fierce
ly. "It's quite proper thaty you should
try and excuse him, Sam; but I
should like to teach him 3 good les
son."
"You-you-have taught me a good
lesson" said Sam, with a blushing
face; land I~-I-thank you very much
for it." "
Aunt Deborah smiled benignly again,
and warmly bidding Sam. to come and
see her, she let him out atthedoor. She
felt very happy as Sam. disappeared
down the street, and he was very hap
py as he hurried 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, q
brave boy to confess his wrong, which
is always manly, and had offered rep
aration for it, which is always right,
and had gone forward, in spite of the
taunts Of his companions, denying
himself the pleasures and comforts in
order to do that which he knew to be
right, which is always heroic.
Life At Sing Sing.
Boston journal.
An interesting and very inexpensive
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