The Monitor. [volume] (Woodstown, N.J.) 1884-1892, 1888-01-20
TOMMY GsOBBETF.

~ NO JrH' nc HUI on coarse SntitS, 4
blue check apron, and his pretty brow n hair
was cropped close under the shabby cap.
1t WAS almost too cold day for such a
little boy to be without coat. Mrs.
'ritehap took him by The hand to lead
him in, aud the little hand clung confid-
ingly to hers
What's your name, dear?" she asked
pleasantly.
Tommy Bobbtt," he answered readily.
Am | going to stay here ?"
Folks ali dead, " said Mr.. Pritchard.
Mother went month or so back. |
told them over to the county-housc we'd
take him and try him; and if he suited,
we'd keep him and Ito well by him. We
don know what kind of stock he is yet;
and if find any mean, dishonest things in
him, back he goes. don't want to adopt
dishonest boy"
ooh, know Tommy will be a nice little
boy" said the wife kindly
The Pritchards were farming people and
well-to do. They had never had a child of
their own, and after much consideration,
had decided to adopt boy when suitable
one could be found. Word reached them
that n child fonr years old had been left
upon the town; and Mr.. Pitchard, on driv-
ing over to see about it had brought that
little fellow Tome on trial.
Nobody knew how dreary and forlorn it
had been in the poor-honse for four-ycar-
old boy, suddenly left friendless.
But now, in his warm, new home, he
frightened into rosy, pretty boy. He
had new shoes and stockings, and Mrs.
Pritchard made him little coat, with a
motherly instinct growing in her heart
with every stitch. He learnedtbe different
rooms, and ran about them fearlessly; lie
made funny speeches, he jumped and
laughed like other happy boys, climbed
boldly on Farmer Pritchards knee when
that good man sat down to take his case
after supper.
'.lIe's got meat in him. said the farmer
nodding approvingly, but | don't know
whether he's honest yet. That's the thing
on my mind, =
Tommy had been there a week had one
week of sunshine--w when the black cloud
came down upon him.
Farmer Pritclard had cough which
was apt TO trouble him at night, and on the
bureau near the head of his bed he kept a
few gum drops, which he could reach out
and get to soothe his throat when the
coughing came on. One forenoon, chanc-
ing to get into the bedroom, his eye fell
on the little paper bag, and he saw that
there was not a single gnm-drop left.
"That rogue, Tommy, has been here, -
he said to himself. 81 knew there were
five or six when went TO bed last night;
and, for a wonder, did not have TO take
a single one. Tommy! Tommy! Look
here Have you been getting my gum
drops?''
Tommy, who was playing in the door,
looked up brightly and said: 'No; |
did not get any"
''Did you take them, Lucy % asked the
farmer, turning to his wife.
Mrs. Pritehard had not touehed them,
and her heart sank as she said so; for who
was there left to do it but little Tommy
Her husbands face grew grave.
Tommy" said he, lyon need hot be
afraid of the truth Didn't you take the
gumdrops?
''No, sir, replied Tommy, readily.
ooh, yes, you did Tommy. Now tell
the truth. "
''No, didn't
''rhis is bad, very bad, indeed said
Mr.. Pritchard sternly. ''rhat is what
have been afraid of.
"Oh, Tommy pleaded Mrs, Pritchard
''if you tool; them, do say So"
''If he took them y repeated her hus-
band, "why it's clear as daylight. He has
been running in and out of the room all the
morning.
Bnt Tommy still denied the deed, thong.
the farmer commanded and his wife i'm
plored. Mr.. Pritchard's face grew
ominous.
an give you till noon to tell the truth,
he said, 'and then if you don't confess
why, I'll have nothing to do with boy who
lies. Wen ride back to the poor farm this
very afternoon"
ooh, Joseph" said Mrs. Pritehard, fol
lowing her husband to the door; ''he's Sc
little Give him one more trial"
Lucy" he said firmly, "when young
stcr tells a falsehood like that with st
calm a face, he is ready to tell them by
the dozen. I'll have nothing to do with a
boy who lies. Perhaps the fear of going
back will bring him to the senses
He went ont to his work, and Mrs.
Pritchard returned to Tommy, and talked
with him a long while very kindly and Per
suasvely, but all to no effect. lie repliet
as often as she asked him that he had not
touched the gum-drops.
At noon Farmer Pritchard came into The
bouse. and had dinner. After dinner hi
call to him.
"Tommy." ho said, 'did yon take the
gum drops?''
mo, didn't, )" said Tommy.
Every we'll" said the farmer, my horst
is hamessel. Lucy, put the boy cap on
| shall carry him back to the poor-hous'
because he W i'll not tell me the truth. !"
"Why, don't want 10 go back, sai'