St. Landry democrat. (Opelousas, La.) 1878-1894, 1889-09-14
The Broken Pane.

Harry Bently was playing in front of
Mr.. Moss door, when he unfortunately
threw stone and broke large window.
Looking With dismay at the shattered pane
he exclaimed in terror, ooh, what shall
do2 Papa will punish me, and Mr.. Moss
will probsoly put me in jail
/ hen q udden thought arose: "Per-
haps he could run away and never be
blamed tor the accident" and he was
about to act upon this thought, when
another and better one presented itself,
papa always tells me to be honest, and
that would not be honest. Some one else
would be blamed and that would be very
unfair. Oh, dear, how dreadful it is p
and with that Harry rushed Up the neigh
boris stoop, and gave the bell so violent a
pull that the maid of the kitchen came
running o1t to see what was the matter.
els Mr. Moss at home % asked Harry,
looking flushed and guilty.
eyes, aud he is that p answered Bird
get, leading the boy into her masters
presence and then returning to her work
ooh, Mr.. Moss" cried poor Harry, 81
have broken one of your front windows.
Please don't tell my father, and l will work
and pay for it p
Mr. Moss was kind man, and saw at
once that the boy before him had con-
quered a strong temptation in confessing
himself to be the author of the mischief !;
therefore, he laid soothing hand upon
his head, and said, Don't be alarmed,
Harry, my boy. but tell me how the acct
dent occurred ?"
'1-just threw a-StOne- audit
hit-the-window-a didn't mean
to y sobbed the frightened child.
81 believe you, my boy, don't cry. You
| noed not pay for the window. l am
pleased to know that my small neigh Dor
whom | have scarcely ever noticed is so
honest. | think this accident may make
us friends"
Harry, smiling through his tears, said
once more, But | want to pay for the
window, Mr.. Mess. Papa always expects
me to pay him when l csrele5sly break
nvthing of his, and he will expect me to
pay YOU
well, my little man, that pane of glass
is worth dollar, including the setting,
and if you will come down to my store for
four afternoons this week after school is
over, viii allow you twenty-five cents
each tine for running brands for me, and
as 1t is a busy week, L shall be 6 lad of the
help"
Il shall be only too happy, if papa is
willing, replied the relieved boy.
After little further conversation, Harry
returned 20 his home and obtained the
ready consent Of his papa to work out his
debt, which he did.
Harry's parents were poor, but Mr.. Moss
had ample means. In his kind heart, the
gentleman resolved to befriend his noble
little neighbor all in his power.
Therefore from Harry's honesty sprang
forth the most unexpected fruit. A new
suit of clothes came first and after this
numberless little gifts such as the boy and
his parents could both appreciate and en-
joy, and Harry realized that right doing
brings rich reward
We NAV not always reap reward in
this worlds goods for honesty and truth
fulness, but we will gain the Lords bles-
sing. We can never gain anything by
wrong doing, for the "face of the Lord is
against them that doeth evil" Therefore,
children, be like Harry, honest and truth
| full, even when it requires great bravery
to be so.-Anna D. Walker, IN Christian
| Itekliqencer.