St. Tammany farmer. [volume] (Covington, La.) 1874-current, 1886-09-11
VOL. XII.-NO. 81.
"WeIl, now, we'll see II you 80 .
boy to keep his word" said Auns
Deborah.

"Let me see." Aunt Deborah pu1
on her spectacles and made critical
survey of the room. "Window-ffty
cents; vase-one dollar- wouldn't
have had it broken for five!-Thatu
do-one dollar and q half. / shan'S
charge you for the dent in the furnf
ture."
I'm try to pay you something on u
every week." said Sam. There afs
some days when ! don't make any
thing; but when do. I'll save if Ter
you"
"very well." said Aunt Deborah;
'.you may go now"
He thanked her. and went slowly
out. while Aunt Deborah began to pick
up the fragments strewn over the
floor.
"Oh, wait moment!' she cried.
Sam came back.
Take this stone out with you, so4
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-nAunt Deborah had . rather
poor memory for names-''if / had
him. wouldn't l give him lesson?
She uttered the last sentence with
such . 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
proposed to give clipper" - she
called him.
Sam hurried home as fast as he could.
His mother, pale. delicate woman
whose wan features and aunken 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 ev-
cry week he carried some small amouns
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 ho
came, occasionally giving him glass
of milk, sandwich or a cake, she
rarely failed to warn him against the
influence of that clipper boy:
His young companions laughed at
him for paying his money to Aunt De-
borah, and called him a coward for not
running away when they ran; but all
they said did not turn him from his
purpose.
One evening he went with cheerful
heart to pay his last installment. Az
he passed the window of the sitting
room he glanced in. There sat Aunt
Deborah, earnestly knitting. Tho
lamplight fell upon her sober face and
Sam wondered if she ever looked really
smiling and pleasant. 1T doesn't
seem as though she would be so stiff
with . fellow" he said to himself.
Then, in response to her "Come in."
he enBered the room and handed her
the money.
~ believe that is all, ma'am," said
he.
"Yes, that pays the whole sum-"
said Aunt Deborah; you have done
WELL"
Il am still very sorry 1 have
troubled you, and hope you forgive
me-" he said.
Il 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.
I've 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 a pair of new shoes, then
half dozen pairs of socks. some un-
derclothing, two nice shirts, a neat
wooden suit, and lastly a good felt hat
"Sam," said she to the astonished
lad, 81 have taken your money, not
because l wanted it, but because /
wished to test you. l wished to see
whether you really meant to pay me.
That Flipper boy would never have
done it, / am sure. You have done so
well in bringing me your little savings
that have learned to like You very
much. Now l wish to make you .
present of these articles. In tho
pocket of this jacket you will find the
money you have paid me. l wouldn's
take a cent of it. 1t is yours. You
must keep working and adding to it.
so that You can soon help your mother
more. Go to work now with a light
heart, and grow up true and an
honest man. Tell your mother that l
say she has fine son."
In making this speech. Aunt Debo-
rah' 3 features relaxed into q 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 boy!'
"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 Philpcr didn't know the
stone would turn as it did, and break
your window"
Then why did he run away" in.
quired Aunt Deborah, somewhat fierce
ly. "It's quite proper that you should
try to excuse him, Sam; but l should
like to teach him a good lesson"
"You-you-haveh have taught me 4
good lesson" said Sam, with blush
ing face, ''and [I-thank you very
much for it."
Aunt Deborah smiled benignly again
and warmly bidding Sam to come Otter
to see her, she let him out at the door
She felt very happy as Sam disappeared
down the street, and he was very hap
DIV, as he hurried home with his grea
J bundle, and told his mother all abou
it, which made that good woman very
happy, too. So they were very happ,