The weekly Floridian. [volume] (Tallahassee, Fla.) 1867-19??, 1888-05-17
much l wish lots o times didn't have

much wish lots o times / didn't have
any sisters"
"Bat we will try md be good 7frisn ls, -
said Miss Layton. And some day when
| am your sister, oulln't you like to
come to the city ar ser me?''
The boy stared her while both eyes
were stretched witt smazement. d" Slowly
you don't mean )" le said. "Gosh !!
but wouldn't that fins?'
But Tommie | l .lrea1y suffered
many disappointr ents from broken
promises in his 20, ,g fe, 80 the light
died out of his f: - a. he coudnusi !:
"But you'll forInt it before then.
Everybody forgits 'verything they prom
ise me-"
"No, I shall not forget it." she an
swered. "You may just. depend on that
visit. You shall stay a long while and
have such good time.
She had not noticed his ewes closely un.
til now. They were of dark gray color,
with such bright eager look in them
that they fairly Illuminated the homely
little face. "Surely," thought Miss Lay
ton, there must be something to any
boy who has such eyes IS those"
"You won't let Cam. and Cath. know
you saw me, will you? 'Twould 60
dreadful hard with me if they knew il"
mo, will not let any one know that
| saw you. You must not forget me.
And | shall often think Of you and that
visit Good-by now" and to Tommie's
great surprise, she stopped and kissed
him, then turned and went into the house.
To Tommie, the world had suddenly
oh onnoA from vosI,s,l<
dream of sunshine and joy. This beauti-
ful, kind lady was really to be his sister.
This was the person whom be had grown
to have such horror for in the last few
days, and she had actually kissed him
Such thing Of which he had scarcely any
remembrance!
But short time elapsed when Miss
Layton, as Mrs. Jack Brown, was happily
established in hoile of her own. She
soon communicated to her husband her
interview with Tommie and her promise
of the visit. Through his influence and
help not many days passed before Tommie
was an inmate of their home. ~
Il tell you, jack" said bis wife seve
raj days after Tommie's arrival, IL be-
lieve there is undiscovered gold in Tom
thAO . Ou0s oVtCIs HI 10 " UcIIcI vi IHIU6
that In every human heart there is a
chord that if rightly touched will give
worthy response. Now that chord in
Tommie has never been awakened. l
don't think his home friends understand
his nature. They mistake his character
istlcs for badness, and the treatment he
has received has had tendency to de-
moralize his goodness. He is naturally
bright, and with true encouragement, [
truly believe he would develop into a
character of whom any one might be
proud"
DO you know tn 1t some such thoughts
have entered my lind about the boy
since he came," sal Jack. "And have
wished that he mig. have more eucour-
agement at home & nd better opportuni-
ties for making son thing of himself"
If his parents a.e willing, what would
you say, Jack, to hi staying with us, for
while at least, { nd see if we cannot
stimulate him into a new life. He has
been so neglected. .naJ L-e-p both pa
tience and work VIC uld be required Of u.s.
But if we could beLe6t him we would feel
we'll repaid for our effort"
The plan was agreed to by both.
AS to Tommie's family they made no
objections. His sisters said they had no
doubt that Jacks wife would soon tire of
her bargain.
Years have passed since Tommie first
met his sister-in-law. To-day there 10
prominent law firm bearing the name of
Jack Brown & Brother. The Brother is
no other than little Tommie. He is still
of small stature, and just as homely as a
man as boy. But when men sit enrap,
tured by his eloquence little thought is
given to his appearance.
Enshrined in his heart is a deep and
lasting gratitude to Jacks wife, for only
This little sketch of Tomme is taken
from life. The writer produced it just
to show how, by neglect, unkindness, and
unwise discipline child nature may be-
come perverted. And how, in the con-
genial atmosphere of encouragement and
love, the better qualities of the character
will be stimulated into life.
We cannot have choice plant without
careful cultivation. There must be sum
shine and water, and hoeing, before We
can have the perfect flower. The human
plant, child's mind, must undergo q
similar culture if good character is TO
ever on the alert to stimulate the good
aud discourage the evil. And only by
understanding we'll each child's nature,
so that the seed sown may be suited to
the soil, can the most perfect bloom in
human character be attained.-Netsie
Burns in the Western Plo,oman