The Ouachita telegraph. [volume] (Monroe, La.) 1865-1889, 1886-09-18
Amt Deborah's l Lesson.

lone, it rolled lAZtly across TAG Mo0ss
and. finally stopped under the table, /
50 inert, Jagged bit Of granits.
Aunt Deborah, - the stone pursued {
ita reckless course, placed her hands
over her head, and shrank BACK into
her chair, I frightened and unwilling |
witness to the destruction Of her prop ID
erty. II was quite distressing. Besides
the nervous shock, there was the oro.
Yen window, there was the cabinet
ah0,pine : great white dent that could
not easily So removed; and there, 100,
was the vase she had kept 90 many
long years, lying shattered ana ruined
before her eyes.
Aunt Deborah was one Of the best
and most klnd-hearted women; put
ahe WA human, and the sudden havoc
wrought by the missile exasperated as
we'll as frightened her. She rushed to |
the window and opened II In time 70
eco three or four boys scampering down
the street as fast as their legs could
carry them.
MOh. you young scapegraces !" she
cried. ssIf I could once lay hold on
you, wouldn't ! teach you lesson =!
But the boys never stopped until
they had disappeared around Q friendly
corner. Aunt Deborah was overcome
bv the accident, and so intent upon
watching the reireating boys TO whom
{ ahe desired to teach q lesson, that she
did NOT 1t first notice bare-footed boy
efandine under the window on the
Pavement below, holding q battered
+ old nat In. his hand, and looking up AZ
Z her with scared face and teafiui eyes.
s.Please, Miss said; the boy tremu-
1Ohi who are you? Who threw
that stone at my Window" cried out
Aunt Deborah, az she spied him.
I. ..Ploase, Miss" pleaded the boy,
rambling nervously his torn hat, ~
threw II, hut / didn't mean to do II"
uDidn't mean TO do IT, eh?" replied
Aunt Deborah fiercely. II suppose
the stone picked itself up and pitched
itself through my glass;"
81 was going to throw 1t down the
street, but Bill Philper touched my
arm, and It turned and hit your win
dow" he explained.
There was an air Of frankncss and
. Il nth about the boy, and the fact mat
he had not run away like the others
fwhou. somehow, Aunt Deborah held
chiefly responsible for the outrage),
:. ,,setl her 10 relent little toward
him.
s:Come In here" she said, after eye
ing him closely for moment.
The lad hesitated but suInmohing
all his courage, ne went up the steps,
and soon stood in her presence.
ssDo you see tlIat?" she said, point
ing at tho WindOW--sand that PAT
the cabinet-tand that pat the bro
YEN vase-sand that pat the stone
s.Now isn't that fine performance"
ssI'm very sorry" said the boy, INT
tears yelling into his eyes again.
He looked .ruefully about the dam
aged articles, and glanced at the stone
wishing heartily that he had neve
seen It.
uNow, what's to be done about it !?
asked she.
Isl don't know, ma'am," said ht
very i'll nj ease. 81 will try to pa
you for It,"
"What can you pay, should like
know" she said, glancing at h
matched coat aud trousers and his tor
hat.
ST sell papers," said he, sand ca
nav YOU little on 1t every week."
NWhat's your name ?' she asked.
s.Sam Wadley," answered the DO.
"Have you father?"
ono, ma'am," replied Sam; "he
dead.'
"Have you mother ~
"Yes, ma'am.
uWhat does she do?'' continue
Aunt Deborah.
aShe sews, and help her all ca
selling newspapers"
elbow can you pay me anythtn
then ~
ssPlease, ma'am, I'll tell mother
about 1t, and she'll be willing for
to pay you all I make"
MWell, now, we'll see If you are
boy to Keep his word," said Au
Deborah.
elbow much must pay ?" 81
Inquired anxiously.
HI1et me see." Aunt Deborah r
on her spectacles and ma6s criti'
survey OF the room. "Window-h
cents vase-one dollar-I would
have had It broken for i've! Tha
do-one dollar and halt. sha
charge you for that dent in the fa
iture,s
uI'll try TO pay you something
Il every week." said Sam. eth
are some days when i don't mt
anything, but when I do, I will 81
e for you. !"
ssVery we'll, - said Aunt Debors