Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1892-07-07
jim, THE ERRAND BOY.

Won Deserved Reward.
Papa" said little Nellie Ward, climb
ing upon her fathers knee, ''what
pleases you SO much to-day? You have
been smiling to yourself all dinner
time"
Something has pleased me to-day,
Nellie, and if you and your mamma care
to hear the story / will tell you what
has made me happy"
"A story?" said Mrs. Ward, looking
up from her work.
We'll, Nellie, my story is about a 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.
Il was busy one afternoon last win
ter, when I saw little boy coming into
the store whose face attracted my atten-
ton at once. 1t was bright and honest
face, if ever I saw one. The boy was
poorly clad, but his clothes were clean
and whole.
May see the boss?' he asked.
81 am the boss answered; what
can l do for you?
81 called to ask the price of a first
rate sewing machine: not a fancy one,
but a good, substantial one
Forty dollars said 1.
's'Can / have one and work it out?'
he asked, earnestly. Il 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
to 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
times she keeps one or two bOarders,
and she sews some ior other people, SO
thought I would try and earn her a
sewing machine
but it will take long time. said 7.
If / give you dollar week it will
take forty weeks
'''Will you give so much?' he asked,
his eyes fairly dancing.
Eyes; and if you do well will let
you have the machine for little less
than retail price
''You see. Nellie. was interested in
the boy. and resolved if he was faith
full 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
1 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.
''I found this. sir, under the coun-
ter. Please see Il it is all right.
Il counted the notes-three hundred
dollars-and then taking out two tens,
l said:-
81 should have offered reward for
this. Jim. if you had not found it
s.'I am glad saved you that. sir he
as he turned to leave me.
"'YOu have earned the reward /
said. handing him the money.
'''Mine. all that he exclaimed. in
surprise. please keep it toward the
machine. You see, I'd have to tell
mother where I got the money, and the
machine is to be a surprise
Il never spent twenty dollars with
so much pleasure in my life, Nellie!
This was great lift on that machine.
and this afternoon, when Jim came, I
told him to select one for his mother.
eve selected Il first-cIass machine
handsome. too-and I promised him
teacher should go and show his mother
h Ow 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
a note telling his mother that it had
been honestly earned; but I told him
that would tell her. So we went. and
when we reached the little house Jim
opened the door very softly. and the man
carried the machine into the parior.
'sThen Jim led me into small sit
sfng-roon at the back of the house,
where pale woman in widow 5 dress
sat busily sewing.
ssShe arose and offered me a chair
and told her I had come to see if /
could obtain Jim's services at five dol
lars n week You should have seen the
boys eyes.
He can go to evening school, ]
said, and I win see that he has some
time to read and study. / can not spare
him now, having had his services SO
long
My afternoons and Saturdays,
mother Jim said, 4 told you / was not
in mischief; l wasearning you a pres
ent. Come and see And he fairly
danced into the parlor. his mother and
l following.
g 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 a good deal
:. oh. SIR she said to me. he's been
a good son since his father died: every
step he can save me he does. But how
did he ever earn money enough to pay
for the machine out of school hours?'
g 4 got a dollar a week, mother, for
errands; and when there was snow on
the walks, or other odd jobs, earned
from twenty to forty cents extra. and
MIR. Ward gave me twenty dollars
No. you earned that as well as the
rest said, and his mother fairly cried
when l told her about the roll of money.
$50, Nellie, now you know what
pleases me so much to-day. He will
make noble man, for the boy who can
work steadily and faithfully for such