The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1889-08-14
Our &ops ano Girls.
Dicks Lesson.


bicycle with that money"
Dick looked longingly at the we'll
worn bicycle. He wanted a bicycle
more than anything else in the whole
wide world; aud he had only Just made
up his mind that it was wholly out of
the question to hope for one, when
Fred Dawson made him this tempting
offer.
How long will you keep that offer
open for me?" he asked, as he put his
hand on the saddle with caressing
touch.
Well, I'll give you an hour TO make
up your mind in" answered Fred, who
was shrewd enough to foresee that
limited time would probably make Dick
more likely to decide in favor of the
bicycle than if he had a longer oppor-
tunity in which to think the matter
over.
"I've got some errands to do for
mother, and then I'll stop and let you
know what think about taking it, on
my way back" answered Dick. " Just
my size, isn'tit?" And he vaulted into
the saddle and rode a little distance.
That trial decided him then and
there, although he would not admit it
even to himself. Bicycles had occu-
pied the greater share of his thoughts
ever since bicycle club had been or
ganized in the little town; and it had
really been very hard for him to see
his companions enjoying pleasure in
which he could not share, because he
had no wheel.
81 never thought should get such
bargain as this" he said to himself
ayu1taptlv ho u,ont 6omr tho ctraaf
whistling as blithely as any blackbird.
g l must have it; but where shall get
the money!"
That was serious question, and one
that must be answered before he could
decide upon the bicycle. He knew that
it would not he of the least use to ask
his mother for it; for, loving and in
dulgent as she was to her only child, ,
she had a hard struggle to earn enough
by teaching music to keep him at school
and buy his clothes and books. How,
then, could he get it?
Twenty dollars was a very small sum
to pay for bicycle, but it was very
large sum to boy who had not penny
in his pocket. As he thrust his hands
into his pockets to convince himself
that he was indeed penniless, he found
a well-flled purse that he had forgotten
about for the moment, and he drew it
out with little start Of surprise.
AT the last meeting of the school lit
erary society to which he belonged, he
had been elected treasurer, and the
balance of funds from the preceding
year had been handed over to him.
Twenty-Five dollars and fifty cents! 1t
was tantalizing to have so much money
in his possession and yet not be able to
purchase the coveted bicycle.
Suddenly thought came to him that
made his face flush with excitement,
and his heart beat with great throbs.
Why not use this money to purchase
the bicycle, and then he could replace
it before it would be needed for any of
the society expenses. He had six
months before him in which to replace
the money, and surely he could find
plenty of ways in which to earn that
sum in half year.
Somehow, feel as if it was steal
ing; but of course it isn't, for Pm goip g
to pay back every cent of it. Pm only
borrowing it, he said to himself, as he
felt an uncomfortable consciousness of
wrong-doing when he determined to
use the society's funds.
g 1t would be foolish not to use it
when the bicycle is such bargain, and
the money isn't needed for anything"
Dick quoted his conscience by these
assurances, and, opening the purse,
counted out twenty dollars, and
wrapped it up in piece of paper. "
wouldn't care to have Fred know
where the money comes FROM he said
to himself
"Well?" Intercepted Fred, as Dick
came back from his errands.
Well, I'm going to take your bicycle,
old fellow. So trot it out and III hand
over your money"
g 1t must be cash down. said Fred
who had the reputation of being hard
to deal with in mercantile transactions
among his school-fellows.
"Of course it will be cash down.
answered Dick, handing over the hand
full of silver and bills with lordly air
OF Indifference. " Who wants to make
two or three payments of such small
amount?'
. You must be a nabob," said Fred
as he counted the money, wondering
where Dick managed to get it. It's all
right, so take your bicycle"
Dick needed no second invitation,
and disposing of his small parcels in va
rlous pockets, he vaulted into the saddle,
and was soon speeding down the smooth
street, scarcely able TO believe that he
possessed the desire of his heart at last.
What should he tell his mother? He
knew that she would not approve of
using funds that had been intrusted to
him, and yet she would naturally want
TO know how he got the bicycle. He
rode more slowly as he pondered this
question.
"Pll tell her I'm going to work il
out" he decided at last" and that will
be the truth, too, for do have to work
for the money to replace the twenty
dollars"
AS he anticipated, his mother was
quite satisfied with this explanation
and delighted that he at last owned the
bicycle for which he had been longing
but Dick felt conscience-stricken at his
deceit when he heard her loving words