The Dakota chief. (Gann Valley, Buffalo County, S.D.) 18??-1913, 1894-06-21

than the words, which hung in his
brain as he started bravely down the
road toward the station. He thought
of this SO much that he forgot TO
look for little Sammy, to say good
by, until he was far on mis- way.
Then he was glad that he had es-
capped it; he was letter satisfied not
to have to look into Sammy'S face.
A sudden sharp turn in the road
made his heart sink, for there, q
little way ahead, stood Sammy, kick
ing his feet against a tree to Keep
them warm. When he saw Nat he
stopped exercising.
Hello" he SAID: II been waiting
for you. GIMME hold of your valise,
an let me help YOU"
Nat paused, but did not accept the
offered help.
I'D rather 90 alone, Sammy" he
said; II don't feel like-talking. Id
rather be alone and think. You'd
better go back home and keep warm"
He spoke with h~alf.averted face.
He was willing to be rude to get
away from his little brothers kind
ness. Sammy did not press it upon
him.
"Good-by," he said; "you want to
write to a fellow sometimes"
Il WILL" Nat said, hurriedly.
''Good-b by, Sammy. I'll WRITE" and
again he started on his way. Sammy
stood for a moment, irresolute, and
then tIOtted after him.
'Say. Nat he began. His red
mitten was off and he was Juggling at
something in the pocket of his old
brown jacket.
II wish you'd take this" he said,
drawing out an old leather pouch and
thrusting it into his brothers hand.
'''Taint much, but you'll need it
down to Belmont. It's so. You
take it. l been savin' it for YOU"
Nat stood suddenly still in the
roadway, his whitened face turned
full upon his brother. Then in a
moment more he had thrown himself
full length upon the snow, burying
his face upon his arms, sobbing with
all the bitterness of his long pent-up
feelings.
And this was Sammy. Careless,
light-hcarted, thoughtless brother
Sammy, who. he had no doubt,
meant to waste his money fOolishly,
who he, the elder brother, had been
robbing for weeks together!
Was there not enough in the
thought of it without this? Oh. why
had it come Just now.
Sammy stood 10y, waiting. There
was wisdom in that small head Of his,
as we'll as %brotherly kindness. He let
Nat sob himself calm before he
spoke.
Don't do that, Nat" he said, at
last, whats the Use of cryin': l
didn't want to make you feel bad.
You needn't take it if you don't want
to. III keep it till you need it, an
then you can send for it. What's the
use cryin'?"
Mats passionate burst of crying
had set his own honest heart to beat
ing again in his breast Tears some
times act SO.
II can't take it Sammy" he said,
lifting his stained face. ''you don't
know how mean I've been. l stole
from yOu-I've been stealing from
your traps all winter. Most of the
skins l got since Christmas l took
from your traps"
1t was a plain, blunt confession.
with no attempt to shield the wrong.
"There amt no need cryin' about
that" Sammy said, with a warm
color mounting to his brown cheeks.
Il knOwed that. / seen you the
time you took that red fox. l was
back in the WOO S. l knOwed how
bad yon wanted the money. l was
goin' to give it to you anyway, SO
where's the difference.
No, no" Nat cried. Il can't take
it. Help me with this valise.
Sammy. Pm going back home"
"HOme" the little brother said,
with dismay. .'oh. my. Nat l wouldn't
do that. What! you gOin' to tell
daddy an mother"
Pm going to tell them the truth"
Nat said. He was quite calm now.
IL won't make my start wrong, not
after this. I'm going to tell them
the truth"
And at home, with his face bowed
in his mothers lap. he did tell the
truth, from the beginning to the end.
Then he went back to his work on
the farm again, with a fresh and
stronger courage and hope IN bis
heart
Next fall" he told Sammy, I'm
going to Belmont. Then / can be.
gin honest"
He Was not afraid. now, to look
into Sammy's big brown eyes.-W.
L. Lignton in Youths Companion.
Good Things to Know.