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


shurch in groups talking baseball. or
flirting with the female scholars after
the manner of boys the world over
Among the BOYS was Johnny GOOdbOy.
He had been pracucing with bean
shooter. and Just got the rangeOf an old
negro who was sitting in front OF his
cottage door in the adjoining lot read
ing the Bible Suddenly, the old negro
exclaimed: DE LOr'.- and springing
from his seat. threw the book high into
the air and began TO execute some gym
nastics not unlike those Of a fowl that
has Just been beheaded- Every body,
except Johnny, supposed that the old
negro had 4 fit. and expressed great
sympathy for him JOhnny's impress
sion was that bean had lOdgeG in his
ear. in which supposition he was en-
tirely correct
Just AZ tais crisis somebody touched
Johnny and told him that the rector
would like 70 see him Johnny entered
the church with fear and trembling.
wow I'm in for It. he said to himself.
HE must have heard the old niggcr yell
when the bean hit him. and the least he
will do viii be TO notify pa
The rector of St Barnabas was in his
private sancfum. so TO speak. and
greeted Johnny with a sunny smile,
which, however. failed TO reassure the
youth with guilty conscience
Johnny, have sent for you because
l want 70 speak 70 you privately and
confderfiailv.-
Yes. sir replied Johnny, his legs
beginning to wObble. and his eyes K
bulge out with dismay-
You are one of the oldest and most
reliable boys in the whole school, con-
tinned the Rector. patting Johnny ON
the shoulder.
ssYes. sir, t-y 20 be good
II believe you have never been late
70 Sunday-schOol during this eHtirs
year
NO. sir"
ssYou 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. | don't think I ever heard
you say as much as dog-gone it,"
No. sir replied Johnny. beginning
70 feel himself on firm ground once
more.
4 liked your appearance from the
first moment I saw you / said At once
there is boy who is going 10 grow up
q good and useful citizen, boy who viii
do % tie 70. boy that viii do his duty
in whatever station in life il may please
God to call him.
Thank you sir. am trying to do ny
duty, replied Johnny, wholly reassured.
and feeling sure OF 4 testimonial of
some kind.
s.You didn't come TO Sundays ch0ol 70
frolic and go on with the girls. and pay
no attention to the solemn truths en-
deaF0r TO instill into your youthful
mind I've been thinking of all this.
Johnny
'-Yes. sir, replied Johnny gleefully.
''And it occurred 70 me that ought
20 bestOw on you some proof of M con-
fdence.-
Thanks. sir. thanks exclaimed
Johnny, hoping it would take the shape
OF \ uur11r- |
NOW, Johnny. I'm glad it's in nv
power % convince you that / really
place confidence in you IL is now
twenty minutes before church service
begins You viii Just have time 70 run
to my house and tell my wife to put two
small bottles of claret on ice in the re-
frigerat0r for dinner. Run. JOHNNY,
and get back in time for church Re-
member. God sees you Tell my wife
mean the claret hat has got wire on the f.
bottles"
ANY how. that's better than being /
iawed-- solilOquiTed Johnny. as he
trudged of, mopping his brow Il won
der II that old darzey has got the bean /
IN his ear YETI ALEX E SWEET.