The Cook County herald. [volume] (Grand Marais, Minn.) 1893-1909, 1894-05-12
THE BOYS AND GIRLS.
INTERESTING READING FOR THE
YOUNG PEOPLE,.
fommy Was a Little Too Clever, but
He Learned a. Good Lesson That
caused Him to BE More Particular
About Keeping Promises.

oAAAIy ustu ucFcF udu WuO1e Six
penca n all his life before, and it came
to MIN quite by chance, when he was
not even thinking Of such thing. A
strange doctors gig was driving along
the school road, when the whip fell
out of the socket. No one saw it fall
but Tommy, who straightway swooped
the hedge, and tore after the flying car
riage as fast as his small legs would
carry him.
He had a famous chase after it down
the dusty road, and by the time the
doctor pulled up at Farmer Benefits
door Tommy was completely cut Of
breath. The doctor thanked him with
friendly pat on the head, and present
ed him with the sixpence in return for
his eXertons. Tommy walked sedate-
ly back to look after his deserted satch-
el, feeling almost overwhelmed by the
amount of his riches.
"Well, did you get a peppermint or
4 penny from him?' demanded Willie
Smith with friendly interest. Willie
had been watching the race from the
top bar Of the field gate, and was quite
ready to go shares in the reward, if any
there were.
"A peppermintr' echoed Tommy, in
unutterable scorn. do you see that,
Willie Smith? You'll be sorry you did
not give me those two marbles this
morning-its too late now"
There they are, and three Of mine
besides. I was only keeping them for
fun protested Willie, with great earn
estness. Tommy, with a whole six
pence to invest, was a person we'll
worth the sacrifice Of three marbles,
and Tommy understood that very well,
indeed
Its no use, Willie," he returned,
swinging his satchel over his shoulder.
II can buy as many marbles as want,
but you needn't think I'm going to
spend it right off. I've got to make
up my mind frst.'
It was coming out of afternoon
school that this adventure befell Tom
my: half an hour later all his friends
and acquaintance were gathered to-
gether to help him in making up his
mind.
"Why, you can buy that big yellow
lzitaars t. Mother Green's for siXpence,
tail and string, too," said friend num-
Der ere.
"Or, there's a lovely boat, with a
sail and rrldder, for sixpence, in Thom-
sons wirdcw," from friend number
two, "and we could all take turns at
it, down at the pond.'
But Tommy would agree to )nc of
these things. 1t was very we'll for
boys without one single penny Of their
own to tell him what he ought to buy
SiXpence was siXpence, and when
it was once spent there would be DO
altering, however many better invest
mcnts he might chance to come across
afterward.
He went and looked at the kite at
Mother Green's; it was a fine, big
one, certainly, but there was a fishing
rod, hook and line all complete, for
the same money, and Tommy had
wanted a fishing rod for Weeks-ever
since Willie Smith got one, in fact;
only this one wasn't quite as big, and
Willie would be sure to point that out
at once. 1t was very hard to know
what to do.
Tommy, you might buy me an Or
arge out of it; gave you half my cake
on Sunday" put in little sister Lucy.
She had battered up behind him, and
was looking wistfully at the pile of
oranges on the lower shelf.
II dare say said Tommy; "break-my
sixpence for one sour orange! Don't
bother me now. Can't you see I'm
tbinking?'
Tommy thrust his hands deep into
his pockets and turned his back to the
window, while he considered the mat
ter with all his might.
It's going to be the kite, Lucy he
told her, presently. Its the biggest
thing can get for the money; you just
come in and see me buy it. Oh!'
Tommy came to a sudden stop, his
hair almost standing on end with dis
may, for in the corner of his trousers
pocket was a tiny hole, so tiny that he
had never once remembered it when
be trusted the precious sixpence to
that pockets keeping. Still, the six
pence had contrived to find it out, and
alas! for the kite, the fishing rod and
all the other delights that vanished
away like snowfakes that same in
stant.
Perhaps it's fallen among the stones
somewhere" suggested Lucy, anxious
to CONSOLE him; lets look all about
here''
10 no purpose; neither among the
pebbles on the path, nor the dock
leaves and dandelions at the side, was
there any sign of the lost treasure.
Tommy looked with dim eyes at the
waving grass in the meadow he had
ratified across so lightly only a few
minutes before.
Come and help me to look there,
Lucy" he begged. Il know I had it
then, for was was polishing it on my
jacket sleeve
It's such a big meadow" demurred
Lucy, who was tired, and wanted her
supper.
"You'd come fast enough if it was
yours" retorted Tommy. "Look here,
Lucy, if you find it I will buy you the
two biggest oranges in Mother Green's
window. don't care a bit about the
kite now, if only I can find my six
pence"
you're sure?"
of course I am. Come along; it'll
be getting dark directly"
Tommy vaulted over the gate, and,