The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1895-08-11

'Women don't understand these th'nss'
he said to himself. but man hee"S
weapon OF defence" ,.r,
Perhaps II was the frequent visits Ton,
raid his gun. aided by the po,rv"st
dime novel, which famed MS SPIT. o
independence. added to me iao. CO..
Aunt Susan had been obliged 10 s@S
"Oh Tommie" with increasing II
cv put the time came when ne de-
clared mo fellow OF spirit "ouio s'''''
IL any longer" a.. sim,
His scheme was sublime In us SIM
plicity. He would walk 70 lnc nnt
foniy a matter of a thousand mites anu
ship as a cabin boy; but II ne sho ".,.l
see an advantageous opening IN soue c,y
on the route he would accept ena', -
would go through fields ana WOODS WIFI
ever possible. and live on the game ne
shot In addition 10 THIS great pa" N7
had twenty-three cents in casn.
He made up his bundle while Aunt
Susan was busy I'm the kitchen-his va
lise stood in the closet put VINO ever
heard OF a boy going 10 sea without a
bundle2 Half an hours eNnausung IA
Dor produced the following note, TO be
left for Aunt Susan;
mo msn will family submittee to
Tirant. So farwel.
THOMAS ADDISIN holland.
"P. S.-Thanks for the doughnuts. nit
tens. and things. !. A. y.
Tom had doubts OF the propriety OF
the. postscript. az Robin the Rover
showed no pfeceffnt lot H. Out IL WAS
prompted by his sense Of justice. He
laid the note on Aunt Susan's bureau.
then Tom. the gun. and the bundle crept
down the lane together.
An hours walk brought him to the
woods; and as the branches closed he
hind him, Tom thought that life had
really begun and awaited game. Soon
bird flashed across the open space:
his arm shook as he raised his gun, be-
fore he could steady It, the bird had dis
appeared.
I'm DO better next timei' he exclaim-
ed as the bird disappeared; ITS a SPUR
rel / want anyway" Before long
saucy grcyback darted 10 a tree and
raising his plumy tail like a banner, sur
veyed Tom from convenient limb. II
was a splendid shot. Holding his breath
In his eagerncss, Tom brought his gun
20 his shoulder and tried TO pull the
trigger; harder and harder he pressed,
but IL remained immovable; its damp
hiding place had stiffened its joints.
Suddenly there was a fash, crash,
and 10 Tom il was as though earth ana
sky had clashed together.
Meanwhile at home Aunt Susan was
thinking OF Tom as she moved about
tho kitchen, thinking kindly, for the
sight OF n filled wood-bOx and pail or
water, brought in unasked, warmed her
heart He is a kind-hearted little fei-
low. after ALI" she said 10 herself u
was going 10 make custard pie for am
ner. but / guess I'll make apple instead
Tom likes that better; apple with plenty
OF cinnamon"
with spicy odor. while Aunt Susan looked
anXiously down the road she was
watching for an active, boyish figure
and scarcely noticed wagon moving
slowly toward the house. till IL stopped
and a neighb)r lifted carefully out a
limp, unconscious figure.
Il found him I'm Smiths woods ne
explained. he'd been fooling With an
old gun and it burst-No, no. Aunt Susani
Steady now. don't give wayl lie amt
killed. Boys have as many lives as
cats: but his arms hurt pretty bad.
Lucky / found him before he lost more
blood! III 20 for the doctor.'
Poor Toms arm was badly torn. and
he had lost a finger The fever brought
on by his wound was severe ana per
sistent They were anxious days TO
Aunt Susan. and she longed with ach-
Ing heart 10 see again the muddy tracks
and 10 hear a door slam.
one night Tom seemed TO be sleep
ing quietly. and with strengthened nope
she knelt beside him, praying In broken
words for my boy" weak nttie
hand slipped into hers. and locking up
she saw Toms hollow eyes trimming
with tears looking into hers.
You've been awful good. Aunt Susan, -
he whispered. and I'll be first rate 10
you when ! get well. you'll see"
Toms recovery was rapid Aunt Su-
san was wonderful cook. and he had
cOnvalescing boys appetite.
They had hany talks during those
quiet days, and Tom grew 10 know and
love Aunt Susan and she felt that she
had begun TO understand a boy-she had
commenced 10 love him when she made
that apple pie
All this happened five years ago Now
Tom IS fine looking youth Of seventeen,
and the pcssessOr of a handsome gun
given by Aunt Susan on his fifteenth
birthday 10 my trustworthy boy"
THAT finger 1 lost Is the most useful
member i have De remarked one day
| with Merry twinkle in his blue eyes.
1T has done the most toward making n
| man of me"
Aunt Susan answered with a gentle
! smile. She and Tom understood each
| othcr.-Aii4 Continent.