Indian chieftain. [volume] (Vinita, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1882-1902, 1890-04-17

ohurch in groups talking baseball, or
tiirting with the female scholars after
tho manner of boys the world over,
Among the boys was Johnny Goodboy.
lie had been practicing with beam
shooter, and just got the range Of an old
negro who was sitting in front OF his
cottage door in the adjoining lot read
ing the Biblo Suddenly, tho old negro
exclaimed. "De Lori" and springing
from his seat, threw the book high into
tho air and began to execute some gym
nastics not unlike those Of q fowl that
has Just becn bcheaded. Every body,
except Johnny, supposed that the old
negro had a fit, and expressed great
sympathy for him. Johnny's impress
sion was that bean had lodged in his
car, in which supposition he was en-
tirely correct.
just at this crisis somebody touched
Johnny and told him that the rector
would like to see him. Johnny entered
the church with fear and trembling.
"Now I'm in for it, he said to himself.
"Te must have heard the old nigger yell
when the bean hit him, and the least he
will do will be to notify pa
Tho rector of st. Barnabas was in his
private sanctum, so to speak, and
greeted Johnny with sunny smile,
which, however, failed to reassure the
youth with guilty conscience.
'Johnnyl have sent for you because
| want to speak to you privately and
confidentially.
Yes, sir, replied Johnny, his legs
beginning to wobble, and his eyes tc
bulge out with dismay.
"You arc one of the oldest and most
reliable boys in the whole school," con.
tinued the Rector, patting Johnny on
the shoulder.
'Yes, sir. try to be good"
81 believe you have never been late
to Sunday school during this entire
year
"No, sir"
"You are not one OF those boys who
deceive their parents and go fishing on
Sunday afternoon
Never do, sir
That's right. And you are not pro-
fame boy. l don't think l ever heard
you say as much as dog-gone it,"
mo, sir" replied Johnny. beginning
to feel himself on firm ground once
more.
Il liked your appearance from the
first moment | saw you. | said at once
there is boy who is going to grow up
do to tie to, boy that will do his duty
in whatever station in life it may please
God to call him.
Thank you sir, l am trying to do my
duty, replied Johnny, wholly reassured,
and feeling sure of a testimonial Of
some kind.
''You didn't come to Sunday-school to
frolic and go on with the girls. and pay
no attention to the solemn truths | en-
deavor to instill into your youthful
mind. I've been thinking of all this,
Johnny
Yes, sir replied Johnny gleefully.
"And it occurred to me that ought
to bestow on you some proof Of my con-
fidence."
Thanks, siri thanks" exclaimed
Johnny, hoping it would take the shape
OF dollar.
Now Johnny, I'm glad it's in my
power to convince you that | really
place confidence in you. 1t is now
twenty minutes before church service
begins. You will just have time TO run
to my house and tell my wife to put two |
small bottles of claret on ice in the re-
frigerator for dinner. Run, Johnny,
md get back in time for church. Re- |
member, God sees you. Tell my wife | |
mean the claret that has got wire on the |
1ottles."
ANY how, that's better than being |
awed,' soliloquized Johnny, as he
rudged of, mopping his brow. 81 won
Ter if that old darkey has got the bean
n his ear yet?9 ALEX +. SWEET.