Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1893-05-25
JIM. THE ERRANo BOY.
He Was Faithful and Trustworthy and
Won a 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
mp from her work.
Well, 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. II is six
months since first saw him.
II WI busy one afternoon last win
ter, wher / saw little boy coming into
the store whose face attracted my atten-
ton at once. twas bright and honest
face, If ever | saw one. The boy was
poorly clad but his clothes were clean
and whole
May | see the boss?' he asked
II am the boss, | answered; what
can do for youY
81 called TO ask the price Of first.
rate sewing machine: not a fancy one.
bnt a good, substantial one
Forty dollars, said l.
Can have one and work II out2'
he asked earnestly II have every
afternoon from three until seven. and
could run crrauds or do any work about
the store You see sir, how it is, father
died a year ago, and mother wants me
10 stay at school two or three years
longer; hut She has to work awful "a
keep me there. Mother owns the little
house we live in, and that is an Some
times she keeps one or two boarders,
and she sews some Tor other people Sc
thought would try and earn her
sewing machine
But il will take a long time. said l.
II give Won a dollar week it viii
take forty weeks
"'Will you give SO mucha he asked
his eyes fairly dancing
Yes; and If Won do well win let
Won have the machine fer little less
than retail price
You see, Nellie I was interested in
The hoy, and resolved II he was faith
ful in hi, dntie. 10 help vim along
Every diary he came. punetnal to tho
most prompt and willing crrtad how
eyer employed. Little by little
The dollars rol}ed up ON the ae,
eount until one evening" some time
ago. he came running after me rs /
was an my way home from the store.
As he came up 10 nae be- handed me
roll Of bills which ! thought safe IN
my pocket
''.l found this. sir under the eoun.
ter. Please see il it IS all right
u counted the notes three hundre.
dollars and then taking out two tens
said.
II should have offered reward FOR
this, Jim, II YOU had not found it,
Il am glad J saved Won that sir, he
answered. as he turned Ia leave me.
You have earned the reward,
said. handing him the money
Nine all that he exclaimed. in
surprise Please keep it toward the
machine. You see, I'd have to tell
mother whore got the money, and the
machine is to he surprise
Il never spent twenty dollars with
SO much pleasure in my life, Nellie
This was a great lift on that machine,
and this afternoon. when Jim came,
told him To select one for his mother.
We selected frst-class machine
handsome, too-and promised him
teacher should go and show his mother
h low TO use il.
When il was IN the cart, ready 20
go, invited myself to 60 with Jim &c
see it delivered. He asked me TO write
note telling his mother that il had
been honestly earned; but l 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 parlor
Then Jim led me into small sit
ting room at the back Of the house,
where pp.le woman in a widow dress
sat busily sewing.
she arose and offered me a chair.
and told her / had come 10 see il |
could obtain Jim's services at FIVE dol
lars a week. You should have seen the
boys eyes.
He can go 20 evening school,
said, and will see that he has some
time 90 read and study can not spare
him now, having had has services 50
long.
My afternoons and Saturdays,
mother Jim s@A, I told you was not
in mischief; l wasearninS you . pres
emit Come and see And ne fairly
danced into the parlor, his mother and
following
/" It's yours, he said, dancing around
the machine; AL pal for, and lessons
on it, too. Amt its. AdidT
His mother was delighted, as he ex-
pectsd, and that Is saying a good deal
!" oh, sir, she said 70 me, hes been
coed son since his father died, every