The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1895-03-16

right on the sled and I'll drag you as
far as the meeting house, and then you
can drag me as far as the sawmill."
Comfort huddled herself up on the
sled in miserable little bunch and
Matilda dragged her. Her very back
looked censorious to Comfort, but final
ly she turned around.
THE big girls were real mean, so
there, and they pestered you dread
fully" said she. Don't you cry any
more, Comfort. Just you tell your
mother all about It, and don't believe
she'll scold much. You can have this
gold dollar to buy you another ring,
anyway, If she'll let YOU"
The road home from Bolton seemed
much longer than the road over had
done, although the little girls hurried
and dragged each other with fierce
jerks. Now" said Matilda, when
they reached her house at length, "Pll
go home with you while you tell your
mother II you want me to, Comfort.
My mothers got home. ! can see her
head In the window. I'll run in and
| ask her"
I'D just as lief go alone, l guess"
replied Comfort, who was not crying
any more, but was quite pale. I'm
real Obliged to you, Matilda"
well, I'd just as lief go as not, If you
want me to-" said Matilda. Il hope
your mother won't say much. Good
bye, Comfort"
Good bye" returned Comfort
Then Matilda went into her house,
and Comfort hurried home alone, down
the snowy road in the deepening dusk.
She kept thinking of that dreadful
story which Matilda had read. Anxiety
and remorse and the journey to Bolton
had almost exhausted poor little Com
fort Pease. She hurried as fast as she
could, but her feet felt like lead and 1t
seemed to her that she should never
reach home. But when at last she
came in sight Of the lighted kitchen
windows her heart gave a joyful leap,
for she saw her mothers figure moving
behind them, and knew that Matilda's
story was not true In her case.
When she reached the door she
leaned against 1t minute. She was
out Of breath and her knees seemed
failing under her. Then she opened
the door and went in.
Her father and mother and grand
mother were all there and they turned
and stared at her.
Comfort Pease," cried her mother,
What is the natter"
You didn't fall down or anything,
did you?" asked her grandmother.
Then Comfort burst out with a great
sob of confession. "I-took-it," she
gasped. II took my gold ring that
Aunt Comfort gave me for her name
and-I wore 1t to school, and Miss
Tabitha pinned it in my pocket, and
lost it. And Matilda she gave me the
gold dollar her Uncle Jared gave her to
buy me another, and we walked mile
and half apiece to Bolton, to buy 1t in
Gerrish's and l couldnt-and l was
afraid something had happened to
mother, and I'm sorry" Then Com
fort sobbed until her very sobs seemed
| failing her.
Her father wiped his eyes. "Don't
let that child cry that way. Emily"
said he to Mrs. Pease, then he turned
to Comfort. Don't you feel so bad
Comfort he coaXed, "fatherll get you
some peppermints when he goes down
to the store tonight" Comforts father
gave her a hard pat on her head, and
then he went out of the room with some
thing that sounded like an echo of
Comforts own sobs.
Comfort" said Mrs. Pease, 'look
here, child, stop crying and listen to
what I've got to say. I want you TO
come into the parlor with me minute"
| Comfort followed her mother weakly
into the best parlor There on the
table stood the rosewood work-box,
and her mother went straight across to
II and opened 1t.
Look here, Comfort" said she, and
Comfort looked. There in its own COM
partment lay the ring. Miss Tabitha
Hanks found it in the road. and she
thought you had taken it unbeknownst
to me, and so she brought it here"
explained her mother. Il didn't let
you know because l wanted to see If
you would be a good girl enough to tell
me of your own accord, and I'm glad
you have, Comfort"
Then Comforts mother carried her
almost bodily back to the warm kitchen
and set her before the fire to toast her
feet while she made some cream toast
for her supper.
Her grandmother had peppermint
In her pocket and she slid it into Com
forts hand. Grandma knew she would
tell, and she won't never do such Il
thing again, will she?" said she.
mo, maam," replied Comfort, and
the peppermint in her mouth seemed to
be the very flavor of peace and forgive
| ness.
After Comfort was in bed and asleep
that night, her elders talked the matter
over. Il knew she would tell, finally"
said Mrs. Pease, but it's been hard
lessonfor her, poor child, and she's all
worn out; that long tramp to Bolton,
| toow
Il most wish her Aunt Comfort
hadn't been so dreadful careful about
getting her a ring big enough" said
Grandmother Atkins.
Mr. Pease looked at his wife and
cleared his throat What do you
think of my getting her ring that
would fit her finger, Emily" he asked
timidly.
Now, father that's all man knows,
cried Mrs. Pease. "lf you went and
bought that child ring now 1t would
look just as If you were paying her for
not minding. You'd spoil all the lesson
she's got, when she worked SO dread
fully hard to learn 1t. You wait
awhile"
well, l suppose you know best,
Emily" said Mr., Pease. but he made a
private resolution. And so 1t happened
that three months later, when 1t was
examination day at school, and Com
fort had a new blue thibet dress to
wear, and some new blue ribbon to tie
her hair, that her mother handed her u
little box, just before she started.
Here" said she, your father has
been over to Gerrish's and here's some
thing he bought you. | hope you'll be