The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1895-01-20


ger at Joe. lie knew that IL was
wrong for them TO veX Joe in this Nay.
and he had often wondered & their daT-
ing; for to Tommy Joe seemed a formida-
bic character. This was the first time
that Tommy had ever shouted niger" at
Joe.
You bes' look out" called back Joe,
with a menlcing gesture, you jes' walt
till ! get ye. an Ill wiring your neck.
Tommy turned pale at this terrible
threat and clambered down on the safe
side OF the fence
Lets so into the house" he said TO
Fred, and do something else.
The next day Tommy was out in Farm
or Browns pasture. gathering dandellon
greens TO surprise his mother with. All
at once, some one, with a terrible yell.
swoOped down upon MIN from behind.
and before he knew il. he found himself
face upward, fast locked between Black
JOe's knees.
NOW | got you, you rascal said Joe.
with fierce grin, placing his hands about
Tommy's neck.
"Oh, don't kill me-" pleaded Tommy.
Joe was not a vicious boy, but he
thought a little scare might teach Tommy
a good lesson. so he went on. with
suggestive tightening of his hands about
his victims throat.
What you mean by calling me mig
ger?"
"Oh I didn't" gasped Tommy.
Didn't, hey2' replied Joe. you bes'
not tell me dat. / amt so no ears TO
Iothn'."
"Twasn't me-" said Tommy; sit WAS
Fred"
we Well" replied Joe. who accepted
this statement at once. for Tommy was
known to be a boy that generally told
tie truth. Joe now slowly let so or
Tommy, with the warning: You des tell
Fred Gardener he look out how he gets
in my way. or | wiring his reck, sho'!''
Pale and trembling, and appalled, at
the thought of the lie he had told, Tom
nv walked away and went To ind Fred.
"Oh. Fred" he said, when he had
found him; I'm dr,adfully sorry, but
Joe was going to Kill me- and 10 save
my life told MIN IL was you that called
him a niger. You mustn't ever go
near him again. or he'll XIII you.
Fred received this information with
mitch less concern than Tommy hdd an
ticipated. and he generously agreed not
10 reveal the truth TO Joe, unless his own
safety demanded 1t.
All the rest Of that day Tommy could
not free his mind from the dreadful
thought that he had told lie. He did
mol ittl IKE pay ms oiAA -
at supper time. That nlsht, after MS
mother had heard him say ms prayers
and had tucked him into bed, he crled
himself to sleep. The next morning ne
woke up with IL heavy heart. IL was
Moment or two before lie could think
what the matter was, ana then ne re-
membered the lie he had told. III SEEM
cd 10 MIN as If ne could never be happy
again. At the breakfast table ne couiu
hardly swallow a mouthful.
What is the matter, Tommy! said
lis mother. ~
II don't feel very hungry replied
Tommy.
Then he asked TO be excused from the
table He went out upon the piazza that
opened off from the dining room. ana sat
down on the steps. He put his mead
down on his knees, and began TO VISA
that he could go back in his life and I'VE
the last two days over again. How easily
he could have avoided all this misery.
Just then he heard. through the blind
door. his father saying:
'Do you suppose Tommy has had any
difficulty at school with the new teacher"
II hardly think So" said his mother:
but we can ask him. There's one good
thing about Tommy. you can always de-
psnd m his falling thu truth"