Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1888-01-06

his sachel, Mis-. Mason her cloak and
things, Cap'n and Mis- Flagg has got
somethin' to talk about, Miss Smith got
Mysteries, Mr.. Blossom got Edwards,
Edwards got caught, and l." said Joe,
as fine summing up, "got ride-ten
dollars from Mr.. Blossom for upsetting
buggy-and jolly good lickin' for
driyin' stable-team, when I'd been
told not to-
Aad Joe, with a lightened heart and
friendly nod, stole back to the shelter
of the paternal roof, reaching his
chamber in safety; while Tad sought
his own little room, where, with a very
full heart. he knelt by his bedside and
thanked the Good Father of all mercies
for the wonderful way in which He had
directed his boyish steps. Then Tad
undressed and went to bed, just as the
tall clock downstairs struck twelve,
and thus ended the day of so many
wonderful events.
Thus, too, my simple story is virtual
" ended-with the future of its charac-
tiers | have nothing now to do. At the
present time
Tad Thorne is an active, growing
Boy, of good principles and industrious
habits, a capital scholar, and a source
of constant comfort and companionship
to
Miss Rhoda Smith, who seems to have
grown ten years younger since the
events of which have been writing
She has formally adopted Tad, and is
more proud of him even than is
Captain Flagg, who looks upon HIM
self-to use his own words-as "the
insterment, under Providence, which
was the means of interducin' Tad to
his Aunt Rhody." He has, at the
earnest request of his wife and adopted
daughter, abandoned his perilous call
ing, and turned over the command Of
the coaster to Ephraim-now Cap'n
Small.
Polly Flagg is growing up into one
of the incest girls ever knew. That
she has never been able to discover any
thing further as to her parentage
gives her no uneasiness-in fact, she
gives it little thought, being healthy,
sensible young miss, with no romantic
fancies as to mysterious birthrights"
and the like. She is trying to live so
that in the fullness of Gods time
she shall meet her own angel mother,
who so long ago was laid under the
daisies which nod above the green
mounds in Bixport church-yard. Mean
while, her love for good Mrs. Flagg
and the Captain grows even stronger
as the days go on; while they, on their
part, know no difference between Polly
and a child of their own flesh and
blood. And that Polly and Tad are the
best of friends goes without saying,
while they seem to exercise a sort of
joint proprietorship in Bounce, who
grows bigger, more affectionate, know
ing and gruff-voiced every week,
while
Joe Whitney is really getting to be
more tractable and less mischievous;
and. since the deacon discovered some
how that his son came very near for
saking the paternal roof, it is said he is
not nearly as severe with him, particu-
larly after knowing that Joe's inten-
ton in running away was not only
to escape the parental chastisement,
but that he might adopt the hazardous
calling Of
Detective Blossom, who received a
substantial reward for his capture Of
observation-disclosures, now serv-
ing the State for his many misdeeds, and
thus having abundant opportunity for
reflection. Let us hope that, realizing
by actual experience that the way Of
the transgressor Il hard. he viii. when
released from imprisonment, turn ovel
new leaf, and lead an honest lie aft
erward.
Thus my little amateur drama Of In
oidents in real life has drawn to close
And now with the principal actors
who hand in hand step before the foot
lights, let me make my own bow to al
imaginary audience for their "kind In
diligence" and, stepping back. allow
the curtain to fall upon the final act o
THE ADVENTURES OF TAD.