River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1886-08-05
FORGIVING NAT.

tomorrow morning as office boy. BE
round early now. and keep upto time. "
/ Tie made a motion with his hand to-
wards the door, but the boy fingered,
twirling his well-worn cap in his hand.
please sir. he said at length. I've
a dog, a real clever little chap.
Mothers out washing all day, and
don't know where to leave him. He
I follows me round everywhere. and if |
should turn him out by himself he
might get lost. Would YOU mind. sir.
if he sat ia the entry while was
in-ide?"
Il was novel request for the new
office boy 10 make, and the head of the
firm frowned. but fortunately for the
boy he was fond Of dogs.
'-Have YOU got the animal with you?"
he inquired.
Yes sir" was the eager answer.
right outside, sir
lie followed the boy out through the
front Office where three clerks were
sitting writing busily. The dog, a
small Scotch terrier, was lying on the
pavement. his bright eyes fixed on the
door, patiently waiting for his master
to come.
Hes not bad, not bad at all. said
the head Of the firm. surveying him
critically. You wouldn't want TO
sell him. now2"
Please. sir said the boy, flushing.
I'D a deal rather have Mop than the
money he'd bring"
We'll, well, said the old gentle
man. somewhat touched at the boys
evident devotion to his little favorite,
keep the dog and bring him every
morning if he gives no trouble.
And so the matter was settled. How
proud and happy Mop and his master
felt a they ran home through the
streets Of the city that afternoon, to
think that they had obtained the coyet
"a position.
Il wonder. Mop said the boy,
.-what Jim Elder viii say when he
hears OF it. / guess he wanted the
position most as bad as we did. And
\ Mop wagged his tail as if to say he was
glad tlcy had been the successful can
didaics
Suddenly the tall. ungainly figure OF
the subject Of their thoughts doomed up
before them with dark scowl on
his face
Il say YOU. Nat Meadows, he com
menced. so hear you've sneaked
into that place. You knew | wanted
il. and 1t was mighty mean-that's all
| have to a.. Everywhere, in school
and out OF it. YOU are always in my
way.
tie spoke with mixture OF despair
ard passion that was pitiful TO see.
II cant say I'm sorry | got the
place. said Nat. gently, but wish
YOU had one too, Jim.
.Oh. its all very well tor you say
that. said the boy. Get out OF my
way and he gave the too inquisitive
Mop a kick with his foot, and was of
the next instant down side street.
MOp pursued him. barking furiOusly,
but Nat callei him back. and they
went home quite soberlY together.
The next morning Nat commenced
his wotk. and very soon had become 4
great fayOrite with the clerks, as well
with the head of the firm. He was al
yavS Conscientious, prompt and oblig-
M. and full OF a certain bright humOT
that brought freshness and life into the
quiet office. Mop, instead of being a
trouble. was great amusement, and
the Young men taught him a number OF
tricks, of which he was very proud.
Sometimes they noticed 4 shade of anX-
ietv and trouble on Mats fright face,
but they did not know that on the boy 5
way home at night he was often sub
iect to petty prosecutions that he found
hard to 2 ar. One morning he burst
into the Office with flashing eyes and
the tears running down his face. The
clerks looked up in CONSERVATION.
what is the matter?' one of them
asked. anXiouSly.
Jim Elders killed nv dog" cried
Nat, passionately. Il could stand any
thing he did TO me-but Mop
He stopned-it seemed as if he could
not 20 on.
What a shame-h0w did he do it?'
asked his sympathiZiug and indignant
listeners.
Threw stone at him, and it hi
him in the head, said Nat in smoth
cred tone When | took him up he
was qGite dead.
Where Is the wretched boy?" they
asked with righteous Indignation.
lie cut and run while was seeing
to Mop" said Nat. dejeetedly. oh
there is no use talking any more about
it,"
The boy went around for the mex
few DAYS. looking rs if he had lost {
near end dear friend. and they all fell
profoundly sorry for him. On his way
home in the evening Nat looked in vaiT
for the destroyer of mis- dog, intending
to,take summary vengeance on him
but nowhere did he see him.
Il guess he knows enough TO keeI
out of my way, he thought gloomily
..Oh. Mop. Mop. how / miss you,'
Not long afterwards a messenger
boy came into the Office with not,
, directed to Master Nat Meadows. from
; one Of the nurses in B-Hospital.
There i a boy in my ward th'
note ran. VERY i'll with a kind Of low
fever lie says he has done YOU an in
, jury. and cannot rest until he sees you
Will you come 10 him?
1t must be Jim Elder, though
Nat. land don want TO 90.
Il. his life Nat had been taught By
his honest. hard-working mother {,
listen to the voice Of Conscience. an,
DO always what was ght. yet il wa
ha 4 10 put down anger. and tn
sense of injury and injustice done L
himself snd 70 as Mop. But the mex
afternoon he walked slowly up 20 tn
hospital. and W tn 8 hesitating han,
pulled the iron dOorbell. In one o
the upper wards he was met by TIA
nurse who had written TO him. an,
was taken to the end Of the room wher
Jim Elder Law tossing TO aud fro.
A. socn as the sick boy saw Ma
he sat up in bed. strong with fever
and held out his hand. Nat" b,
said. Il want to hear you say that yOI
forgive me. I've been awful jealous
| AMI mean as could be TO you. aud theI
: killed Mop;I am sorry. Every nigh
il seemed a if You came and stood be
side ny bed, ard l can't get any
sleep
The boy sank back on the pillow e,
haustcd. with his bright eyes Fixed OF
Nat. who was not looking az Jim, bu
- I, -~,,t ~ the Garnet. and n fuu.uf