The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1896-08-30
Gerald and His Giant,

~ pickering behind a wire guard In q
CRATE. A table set for dinner with
DAINTY care. silver. glass, spotless
linen. Flowers In crystal vases. pink
candles with little pink shades in tall
silver candiesticks, IN the centre n
bowl full OF hot-house fruit. peaches
pears. great punches Of white and
dusky grapes. At the side OF the table
boy of six in velvet suit with a name
OF yellow 'loveocks" falling over his
shoulders. looking wistfully at the fruit.
He reaches forward: he breaks off a
bunch OF grapes
They're papas grapes" he says half
aloud He always gives me his things"
Then he Grams the fruit into hts
mouth, eating very fast, and In spite OF
his brave words he is careful 10 conceal
the seeds OF the grapes he devours In
the palm OF the other hand. Thus con-
science doth make towards OF us ALL
This small Stealer Of grapes was
Gerald Ashley. the son OF an English
army officer, who had left the army when
Some one died and left him a fortune.
and had come 20 live as n country gentle
man on the estate Of Cleave Hall. Gerald
did not recolect india very clearly, be-
cause he was but two years old when
he left II. but ne was quite sure that
he loved England best. And indeed.
Cleave Hall was the very sort OF home
for boy 10 be happy in, 80 big and
roOmy with a park full OF old oaks and
n garden full of old roses and such nice
bride paths among the trees to po-
MES on, and n stable where rabbits and
g-linea-pigs were not only allowed but
encouraged. Any boy could he happy ir
n place Ike that. and Gerald VIA very
happy. He liked II all, and he liked be-
jig src only boy. and in corsa Ii"nce pet
tel aud cossetted by every ono
There was one exception. Colonel Ash
ley az not pet Gerald RE was IN he
contrary rather grave and pecempt1'y
wi'h him. though always kind and
think II showed what a fne little fellow
Cera'l was at bottom thar he loved his
father best or ALL lie would do almost
anyltnL 70 win word 81 praise from
him. for he admired him immensely. He
was so brave and splendid: he had a
sword which he had worn in battles.
Gerald was sometimes allowed 10 hold 10
IN his hand. and that was indeed proud
moment for him. He passionatey de-
sired TO be approved by his father. so
YOU NAV imagine how he felt when as
no popped tho last grape into his mouth
and turned 10 90 into the drawing
room with the seeds squeezed tight in his
hot little hand a rather stern voice de-
manded. "What have you there, Gerald?
What arc you eating?"
Grapes. papa
Geralds cheeks were red. but he made
no attempt 10 evade the truth.
"Where did you get them2'
81 took them of the table" replied
Gerald. his cheeks growing still redder.
"Dld you have leave to do so from any
one?"
Gerald began 10 feel quito miserable.
"No. papa. he said in a low voice.
ooh. you stole theml"
There was a scornful tone In the quiet
voice which cut Gerald 10 the heart
"Papa-indeed. indeed-I didn't never
meant-they were your grapes,
thought"
"Mine2 Yes. but did you ask my leave
20 take them2"
Gerald aid not reply. a lump had come
In his throat. lie felt very Ike crying.
Now. Gerald" said Col Ashley sitting
down and drawing the child closer TO him.
'let 70 talk this matter over We are
friends. you and J. arc we not2"
ooh. papa-yes. yes
The little voice was choky.
"You know how we have talked very
often about what bravery consists OF.
and how fne IL is TO be brave. Now. ia
he brave one must begin with little things
and learn how gradually. No boy ever
has giants heads 10 cut or 10 these days.
II he wants 70 grow up into brave man
no must educate himself by fighting witt
small things which are the same 20 him
tenpers temptations. little faults. and
conGuering them ono by one. When you
took those grapes you lost your llttle pat
tie"
papa. / never thought OF that only
I only-thought OF tho grapes
"Yes-but an the same you we're beaten
II Is mean and H. And 70 steal things
a gentleman and a brave man VIII not
do IL. Remember this. Gerald.
81 wrl-indeed will" protested Gerald
with energy II seemed at the moment
otiite easy TO resist temptation.
But four nights after this. Colonel
ASHLEY. coming homo earlier than usual.
saw little figure slipping in through the
dining room door. HIS face grew dark.
but he followed and stood In the shadow
Of q. screen 10 watch what should take
place. Very slowly the little feet went
across the vide room toward the table.
The candles were III and the watcher
could see the boys face rs he stood look
Ing iufeNfly iDNhtu lNN bvNt VI - 'iN 'h
tho TOP OF which shone a large peach with
a check Ike a ripe rose.
Three times the small hand extended
itself toward the peach. and three times
Il was drawn back. At last the hand
went out FOR the fourth time and took the
peach. Gerald looked at the beautiful
fruit. smeiled II. hesitated: then he began
slowly 20 move toward the door. Colonel
Ashley watched him grimly and grnyely.
without a word. At the very door. Ger
aid stayed his steps. stood still for
moment thinking. then turned, hurried
back 10 the table, Vlt the big peach again
in the bowl exactly where II had been
before, and almost ran out OF the room
as II afraid TO look again toward the
temptation which had so nearly over
came him.
Colonel Ashley smiled 10 himself be-
hind the screen. a very pleased and
happy smile.
THANK Cod" no said to himself
"There IS a real giant overcome. Ny boy
IS stronger than thought"
Presently no went into the drawing
room. where hc found Gerald sitting
gravely by the fire. and quite ready TO
hear a story; and neither the father nor
the son said a word 10 each other about
the big peach and the temptation van
pushed. Both were secretly happy, es-
peclally Gerald-for TO learn your own
appreciation is even better than 20 win
the approval OF some one else. And
ybon ono has fought vii self and won,