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

When Tommy heard this re felt worse
,har a,or few moments later. when
HE mo,ber came out. she found her little
hov sohblnr as IL his heart would break.
"xybv Tommy" she said. what Is the
natter
"Ob Mamma" Tommy choked out, be-
tween his sobs; I've told lie."
His mother sat down on the steps and
took Tommy into her lap.
I'm very. very sorry. Tommy sne
said.
Tommy looked up and saw that there
were tears In mis- mothers eyes
but I'm glad you have confessed,
said his mother; and now tell me All
about it..
So Tommy told her the whole story.
His mother looked very grave and very
sad while she listened. Wheh ne "au
finished his mother said:
IL am sorry that my little oy mas
been so untruthful. But now II Is your
duty to do all that you can TO make the
matter right" -
"Ohr" exclaimed Tommy. who antici-
pated what was coming. II cannot con-
fess TO Joe. He would kill me-"
81 do not think he would hurt you,
said his mother But that makes no dil-
ference: YOU told the lie TO him, and 1t is
"Please don't make me, mamma said
Tommy. 49,,
NO. Tommy" said his mother, Il
shall not make you. But perhaps some
thing else Will make you.
"What?" asked Tommy.
.Wbat made you tell ME about IT,
said his mother.
MY conscience troubled me" SAID
Tommy. -.
well" said his mother. 'if you have
a good conscience, it Will so On troupilhs
ycu until you have made the matter
right with Joe. II you pray for heip' u'd
will help you 49,. ~,
L VIM pray" said Tommy, but In
afraid to tell joe
rben Tommy and his mother both came
I'm and went UP stairs, and they prayeu
together. But Tommy could not make VI
his mind to confess to Joe. Ills motnei
had a long talk with him. but at lasI
etc had TO leave him because the bap!
was CRYING. After while Tommy decideu
not 10 think any more about the nlaoter'
81 ne nut on his cap and went 10 School
mat day at dinner Tommy's mother
acted lust as usual, and his tdther diuh
seem to know anything lad happeheu
Tommy. too, tried TO appear cheerful, pu'
I'm reality ne felt very miserable Ai'ei
dinner he went up stairs all alone.
An hour later 1cmmys mother iooheo
I'D from the crib, where she hau Jus
laid the baby asleep, and sa" Iohii,iy
with a very resolute expression III NE
face, standing on the threshold.
"rm going. mamma" he whispered.
His mother tiptoed out into the hall,
and softly shutting the door behind her
said: oa,
I'm very glad" Tommy you've maze
mn YOUR mind to do the right thing.
"Good-by." said Tommy, turning away
and beginning to go down stairs.
"Good-by, Tommy.
Rut before he reached the foot OF the
steps he came back.
"Good-by. mamma" he said again.
"Good-by," repeated his mother
thought you had gone.
81 came back to kiss you good-oy'
said Tommy. .on
"Good-by, darling said MS hother
STOPPING to kiss him.
Tommy threw his arms about his moth
er's neck and chung to her for tew mo
,neuts. Then he started to go, but whei
he reached the head OF the Stairs IN
hesitated, and finally said;
Mamma. Tiff anything should happei
IN me. tel papa ] left good-by for him.
His mother looked around and saw De
scending the stairs, a hero, prepared e
meet death. 1t had never entered mel
mind that Tommy was really IN suci
terror of Joe. . auo,
"Wait a moment Tommy she caiie'
after him, land 1 will 90 with you
They found Joe in Farmer Gregg pdrh
"Tommy has something TO tell you
Toe" said Tommy's mother.
"Oh. joe" began Tommy, I'm sorrS
7 called you Niger"
~ know you didn't do it, said Joe. "h'
did not fully understand what Tom
nv had said. at was Fred. Kho"
You're not like the other boys around
here" a..
never will again. And I'm sorry tol'
Won the lie. 1t was a lie
"Tain't 10 matter" said Joe; i nam
got no erudge 'gainst ye. l hadn't ouShte
frightened ye So III
"What a kind heart Joe mas, s"lu
Tommy's mother, as they walked away
That afternoon Tommy told Fred ina
ne had confessed TO Joe.
Toe and Tommy were the best OF tr'ehd
after that, and Tommy was never aSai
afraid of Black oe.-Independent'
x.urzg pHZZIF CUIUNN