Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1892-07-21
PAPA'S ERRAND BOY.

ltlIlc Ntllle hdEO, cllIuD-
ing upon her fathers knee what
plcases you so much to-day? You have
been smiling to yourself all dinner
tirne.'
Something has pleased me to-day
Nellie, and if you and your mamma care
20 hear the story will tell you what
y has made me happy"
"A story?" said Mrs Ward, looking
up from her work
We'll, Nellie, my story is about boy
about your age. He said he was twelve.
but he is larger and more robust look
ing than you, my little puss. 1t is six
months since first saw him.
II was busy one afternoon last win
Ger, when saw little boy coming into
the store whose face attracted my atten-
ton at once. twas a bright and honest
u face, if ever | saw one. The boy was
! poorly clad, but his clothes We're clean
! and whole
May l see the boss?' he asked
j ~ am the boss, answered; what
can do for you?'
81 called to ask the price of first
rate sewing machine; not fancy one,
but good, substantial one
" Forty dollars, said l.
. Can / have one and work it out?'
be asked, earnestly. i have every
afternoon from three until seven, and
could run errands or do any work about
the store. You see, sir, how it is. father
died year ago, and mother wants me
10 stay at school two or three years
longer; but she has to work awful to
Keep me there. Mother owns the little
house we live in, and that is all Some
I times she keeps one or two boarders
and she sews some Tor other people. so
thought l would try and earn her
fewing machine
{ But it will take a long time, said l.
If / give you dollar week it will
|. lxe forty weeks.
"Will you give so much?' he asked,
g eyes fairly dancing.
Yes; and if you do well will let
rou have the machine for little less
faan retail price.
You see, Nellie. | was interested in
.he boy, and resolved if he was faith
fll in his duties to help him along
livery day he came. pune tual to the
xainute, rain or shine He was the
larnost prompt and willing errand boy
81 ever employed. Little by little
the dollars rolled up on the ac-
count, until one evening, some time
ago, he came running after me as ]
was on my way home from the store.
As he came up to me he handed me "a
roll of bills which l thought safe in
my pocket.
- found this, sir, under the coun-
70 /, =
Il counted the notes-three hundred
dollars-and then taking out two tens,
l said
~ should have offered a reward for
this, Jim, if you had not found it
- am glad l saved you that, sir, he
answered, as he turned to leave me
"'You have earned the reward l
said handing him the money.
"'Mine! all tLatr he exclaimed, in
surprise. Please keep it toward the
machine You see, I'd have to tell
mother where got the money, and the
machine is to be surprise
II never spent twenty dollars with
ESQ much pleasure in my life, Nellie!
This was great lift on that machine.
and this afternoon, when Jim came,
told him to select one for his mother.
Eve selected first-class machine
handsome, too-and | promised him a
teacher should go and show his mother
how to use it.
when it was ON the cart. ready to
go, invited myself to go with Jim to
see it delivered. He asked me to write
note telling his mother that it had
been honestly earned; but / told him
when we reached the little house Jim
opened the door very softly. and the man
carried the machine into the parlor.
& Then Jim led me into a small sit
ting-room at the back of the house,
where a pale woman in a widows dress
sat busily sewing,
''She arose and offered me a chair,
and / told her I had come to see if l
could obtain Jim's services at five dol
lars a week You should have seen the
boys eyes.
He can 60 to evening school, |
said, and l will see that he has some
4 time to read and study. | can not spare
A.sim now, having had his services 50
long
My afternoons and Saturdays.
mother Jim said, ] told you l was not
in mischief; | wasearning Won pres
ent. Come and see And he fairly
danced into the parlor, his mother and
/ II following
4 It's yours, he said, dancing around
the machine; all paid for, and lessons
| on it. too Amt it splendid?
/ "His mother was delighted, as he ex-
pected. and that IS saying good deal
| "'oh, sir, she said TO me, he's been
i good son since his father died; every
| step he can save me he does But how