The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1888-02-01
Larry.
BY MRS. c. C.. CHENEY.

Larry was in great hurry to be a
man. Perhaps that is the reason he
liked to smoke grapevines or corn-
stalks, pretending to himself, no
doubt, that he was using cigars. How
ever, his mother did not wish him to
smoke at all so, to end the matter,
she forbade it, once for all.
In those days there was an old
Frenchman who used to travel about
the country in a wagon from
which he was able to produce almost
anything, from tin dipper to a stick
of candy. The peddler knew and loved
all the children for miles and miles
around, and many O ride had Larry
enjoyed perched up on the seat beside
him.
People called the old man an "ev-
ery-day Christian :" for his religion
was part of the great business of his
life. Very often while he sat in the
kitchen drinking the glass Of milk
which Larry's mother was sure to Of
fer him, the two would talk of Gods
goodness and love as freely as other
people speak of the crops or the wealth
er. And why not? Is the souls
health of less Importance than the
welfare of the body?
One morning Larry saw the peddler
drive in at the gate, and ran out to
meet him.
"Ah, Larry, how you grow" ex-
claimed the old man, cheerily. "You
have already eight years,-is it not ?
What fine cigar 1 have yesterday
seen you smokingW
"Me?" asked Larry in surprise.
"Oui-yes-yourself."
mo, it was not l."
"No? But it is not possib' that I
could make mistake. It was truly
your coat that the boy wore, and, as
WELL that pretty cap"
Still the boy stoutly insisted, mo, it
was not T."
The Frenchman sighed and quietly
dropped the subject, but he looked
puzzled.
1t was Saturday, but Larry did not
go out to play, as usual, that day. He
followed his mother about the house as
she busted herself with her work. but
he looked very miserable. When
night came, she went up with him to
his bedroom, as she always did. It
took him long while to get undress-
ed; then he had good deal of trouble
in choosing the right chapter to read.
When at last he was ready to say his
prayers, he hid his face in his mothers
lap, and, with tears of shame, confess
ed that he had not only disobeyed her,
but he had told the peddler lie. He
owned that he had been very unhappy
all day, and that he had kept hoping
she would ask about the cigars, for his
heart ached with carrying such gull
ty load.
His mother took her boy in her
arms, and forgave him for disobeying
her; but she told him that he had
broken two of Gods laws, and he
must first confess his sin to God, and
ask his pardon, then own the lie to the
Frenchman, and ask his forgiveness
also. Larry hung his head, for it was
hard thing to tell his old friend that
he had spoken an untruth. 1t seemed
much easier to 60 with his sin to God,
whom he knew to be full of compass.
sion, than to his fellow-man, whose
anger he feared. But, in the end, he
promised to take his mothers advice.
It was not long before the peddler
came again. 1OplnS 50 tS uahe ~
easier for her boy, Larry's mother took
his hand, and led him to the kitchen,
where the Frenchman was, saying,
MY friend, Larry has something to
say to YOU" Blushing and trembling,
the lad told his story, the old man
looking at him with tender pity.
When Larry was done, both were
weeping. There was o moments
hush, then the peddler said reverently,
"We will pray to God!"
The three kneeled together on the
kitchen floor, while in broken accents
the Frenchman thanked God for the
tender conscience of the child, and
earnestly prayed that he would guide
Larry's young feet past the dangers
and pitfalls of the years to come. 1t
was prayer which Larry never for
got. He is child no longer, but his
lips have steadfastly refused to utter a
falsehood since that hour in his moth
er's kitchen when they were sealed in
solemn covenant with God to speak
the truth.
Il