Idaho semi-weekly world. [volume] (Idaho City, Idaho Territory) 1875-1908, 1889-12-24
yourselves for he. '

.No INV son. his mother replieo
1--WE wished we could have given you
this pleasant surprise, but we cpuian'
We don't know anything about u. Il
"Then it was Hal, exclaimed Ted. ana
he turned around without another w9ro
and played lively air, that showed MS
pleasure far better than words couia nave
done.
They talked a long while, striving 70
explain the mystery, Ted clinging to MS
belief that he owed it all to Hal, though
he could state no good reason They
boped their young friend would come
and settle the matter and explain MS
failure, but he did not appear.
MIR, Amdon came in and reported there
was in the village much Indignation ana
some threats against Hal for cowardiy
backing out and allowing the city man
70 win the race. But Ted warmly con
tended that Hal hadn't failed through
cowardce, and that the village would De
sorry for their threats.
III the morning Ted, his mother ana
Lucy we're earnestly discussing the mat
Ter. when the blind boy started at the
click of the gate. and Hal soon received
welcome that strangely diSconcerteo
him.
.What did you do it for?' exclaimed
Ted.
WHAT" asked Hal in confusion.
"Why, pay for the organ
Il" -
And why didn't you take part In the
racer interrupted Lucy. She hardly
agreed with Teds belief and wished to
save Hal the embarrassment OF saying
he hadn't paid for the instrument, but
she only added to his confusion.
Ell found couldn't, he stammered
But 1t wasn't because was afraid, he
added quickly, as he saw Lucys face fall
but you haven't answered my ques
ton yet Hal" insisted Ted.
why. Ted, you know couldn't pay
for it, but you don't know how glad
am you're to keep it, whoever it was
that paid for it," replied Hal. recovering
from his embarrassment.
"Whyl Who could it bel" said Mrs.
Amdon.
But Lucy was watching Hal very
searchingly. She thought she detecte d
an unusual expression in his face, and il
was slowly dawning upon her that Ted
was right after all. Hal, seeing hei
look, was getting badly confused again
and was just on the point of rising to es
cape, when Mr.. Amdon hurried in will
letter for Ted.
''Read it quickr he cried.
Hal, with his hat in his hand, wa
half way out of the door, when Lucy
after one swift glance at the letter
sprang after him, fairly dragging hin
back, and held him fast, as she said:
"Oh, mol You don't escape so easily
You lust have to stay right here ant
listen. I'm not going to spare you, "'''
bit, it You do blush. Listen to to-
Ard - reau with conspicuous
.relnor in her sweet voice:
Mr. Ted Amdou-Since sending receipt fol
organ i've found out about the young man wht
paid the nloEey, and have also learned about your
self My took part in bicycle race, IN which
Mr. Hal Goodwin was expected to win There wa
much surprise that he was not on hand to start
and my son took pains to discover the reason o
his failure, hearing that he was much censure,
and blamed with cowardice
Know then. that instead Of failing through
cowardice, he nobly gave up the race. sold b..
bicycle and paid for your organ
Hal made desperate rush for tn,
door, but old Mr.. Amdon caught him il
the nick of time and held him like
wise.
"Oh! how | wish could see you now
Hall" said Ted, cropping his way towar'
him.
"Dont say that; can't stand it," muir
INJURED Hal
Poor boy!' sobbed Ted's mother wit
her apron to her eyes.
"L.isten!" cried Lucy; that isn't all
Let me read on;
My son found where he sold his bicycle, and
have proposition to make | am in need of
good performer, to play for customeN and
offer You the place. having heard Of your tnusus
skill Mr., Goodwin deserves reward for his nobl
action, so I'll refund the money, and he can IT
buy his bicycle Come to the city at once
There, said Hal, disconsolately, sink
ing into a chair al knew it would turl
out that way"
How" asked Ted in surprise.
why! whenever | get chance t.
do something for you that's worth some
thing, it doesn't pan out worth cent
1t Just falls fiat"
But they wouldn't let him talk tina
way long. Teds mother, under the i'm
pulse of her gratitude, stopped him wit
a rousing kiss, and Lucy looked as if sh
wished she could take part in just sucl
an interruption
You may be sure the story sprea,
through the village on the wiz s of tn
wind, And it was surprising how quicl
the word coward" died away.
Ted was soon at work in the cit
music store. and, despite his sore aftic
ton, is doing we'll. and there is ever
prospect of his one day becoming part
ner.-Yankee Blade.