The Banner-Democrat. [volume] (Lake Providence, East Carroll Parish, La.) 1892-current, 1892-08-20
PAPA's ERRAND BOY.

81 PAPA's ERRAND BOY.
> He Was Faithful and Trustworthy m
Won Deserved Rewsrd.
Papa" said little Nellie Ward, climl
. ing upon her fathers knee, "whs
pleases You 30 much to-day? You hav
been smiling TO yourself all Dime
time"
, something has pleased me to-day
Nellie, and if You and your mamma car
to hear the story will tell you wha
has made me happy"
"A story?" said Mrs. Ward, lookiu,
up from her work.
"Weli, Nellie, my story is about a DO,
about your age. He said he was twelve
but he is larger and more robust look
ing than you, my little puss. It is 81,
months since first saw him.
Il was busy one afternoon last win
ter, when saw little boy coming int
the store whose face attracted nv atten
ton at once. TWAS bright and honest
FACE, II ever saw one. The bow was
poorly clad, but his clothes were clean
and whole.
MAY see the boss?' he asked.
am the boss, answered; what
can do for you?
II called to ask the price of first
rate sewing machine; not fancy one,
but good, substantial one.'
Forty dollars, said /.
Can have one and work Il oute'
he asked. earnestly. Il have eyerv
afternoon from three until seven, and /
could run errands or do any work about
the store. You see, sir, how it is. father
died q year ago, and mother wants me
to stay at school two or three wears
longer; but she has to work awful 10
keep me there. Mother. owns the little
house we live in, and that is all. Some
times she keeps one or two boarders.
and she sews some for other people. 40
l thought / would try and earn her a
sewing machine
But it will take a long time, said I.
II l give you dollar a week It viii
take forty weeks
"Wil you give SO muchr he asked,
his eyes fairly dancing.
Yes; and If you do well viii let
You have the machine for little less
than retail price,
You see, Nellie, I was Interested IN |
the boy. and resolved if he was faith |
ful IN his duties to help him along.
Every day he came, punctual TO the
minute, rain or shine. He was the
most prompt and willing errand boy
ever employed. Little by little
the dollars rolled up on the ac-
count, until one evening, some time
lgo, he came running after me as
vas on my way home from the store.
As he came up to me he handed me n
oil OF bills which i thought safe in
ny pocket.
i found this, sir, under the conn.
er. Please see if it is all right.
counted the notes-three hundred
ollars-and then taking out two tens.
said
"'I should have offered a reward for
his, Jim, if you had not found it,
am glad saved you that, SIR he
answered, as he turned to leave me. c
You have earned the reward
I'D, handing him the money.
Mine! all thatp he exclaimed. In q
lrprise. Please keep it toward the 9
achine. You see, I'd have 70 tell D
other where 1 got the money, and the y
achine is to be surprise "
Il never spent twenty dollars with ;.
{. much pleasure in my life, Nelliel !!
ais was great lift on that machine. u
ID this afternoon, when Jim came. "
Id him to select one for his mother. 81
I'VE selected first-class machine &c
too-and promised him
acher should go and show his mother 0.
W to use it. OF
When it was on the cart, ready TO kl
invited myself to 20 with jim 70
1t delivered. He asked me to write tn
tote telling his mother that IL had ha
IN honestly earned; but told him ki
It would tell her. So we went. and pi'
ZEN we reached the little house jim tn
med the door very softly, and the man CHI
ried the machine into the parlor.
Then Jim led me into . small sit SIC
groom 1t tho back Of the house. pa
ere pale woman in . widows dress 20
busily sewing. to
She arose and offered me a chair act
told her l had come to zee Il II
Id obtain Jim's services at I've dol OF
week. You should have seen the thu
2 eyes. He
He can 60 to evening school, I ma
/ and viii see that he has some He
to read and study. 1 can not snare nal
now, having had his services 60 sho
r. A
Ny sftcruoons and Saturdavs ma
hes, jim said, I told you was not viii
I wasearning you : pres lool
Come and see.' And he fairly vii
ced into the parlor. his mother and ord
lowing. maj
It's yours,' he said, dancing around sho
all paid for, and lessons sho
!, too. Amt It splendid2 rate
lis mother was delighted, as he ex-
ed. and that Is saying good deal. =
oh, sir she said to me, he's been I,se
% aon since his father died; every wa,
- can sAvs me he dos& Bat bow Don