The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1898-01-07

gu!ng down he caught his breath at
the reflection, for he would not have
known himself. He was ii handsome
hoy, and Mrs. Evans congratulated
herself npon his improved appearance.
She kindly placed him near herself at
the table aud took pleasure III piIiu%
bis plate full of fried chicken, mashed
potatoes and gravy, and in thrusting
upon him warm biscuit and honey uu-
til his hunger was more than satisfied
Now said Mrs. Evans, as they
arose from the table. Il want to talk
to YOU IL bit, Stephan. Sit down III
the sitting room by the table. pre-
sumo that you have come to work and
not play"
~ m
well" she continued, u want you
TO understand that, thoroughly, from
the start. I've had a good many boys
who began well, but they didn't hold
out worth a cent. I've been told
that you never had chance to be
anybody, and i want to give you one.
1 want you to have good food and
good clothes, and 90 to Sunday school
and church. | intend to 90 my very
best for you, Stephen; but you must
also do your best for yourself. If you
would only give up the tobacco, my
boy"
:! can't do that, Mrs. Evans, indeed
| can't. | have chewed ana smoked
ever since ! was six years Old, and
could as soon quit eating bread as do
without my cilaw of toDaccer.
We'll, them said Mrs. Evans with
IA sigh. you must keep It strict ac-
count of every cents worth get you.
Here. now, you see this little book. 1t
is an account book. I'm going to put
down every thing got for you today.
with the price attached right here
See? Aud Ill put the tobacco down,
cents. There now,
Now, every time | get anything for
YOU. or give you any money, YOU must
put it down like this. IteIuize every
article; but because the word tobacco
will come so often and look SO badly
all written ont in full, we will Just put
it 7. O. Is. You and | will know what
it means, and it isn't near so offensive
looking. Don't you think so?o
"Yes'm," said Steve, very meekly.
"Well. now" said Mrs. Evans, as
she handed over the little red-covered
book and patted the boy kindly on
the shoulder, y hope you and | will
be good friends-thc very best of
friends; and | hope you won't disap-
point me.h
Il hope | won't nuther," said Steve
wit little treInble in his strong voice
and IA softness in his eyes. And he
went out to find Moses, wishing for
the first time in his life that he had
never learned to use tobacco. BE
cause, you know" he said to himself,
''She hates it.
The months passed away, and Mrs.
Evans was Obliged TO admit to Mr..
Willis. who called around to see how
Steve was getting along, that she had
never had so good and hard working
a boy on the place as Stephen Jones.
II never seemed to get tired; never
strayed off to town in the evening-in
fact, was Just as faithful as the day
was long. But, oh, the tobacco. His
shirts were stained with the filthy
juice, his teeth were yellow with it,
and his spare time was spent outdoors
on a log in the chipyard, where he
could smoke, chew, and eXpectorate
to his hearts content, for Mrs. Evans
had set her foot down that he should
not spit III the house,
One evening it became necessary to
balance accounts with Mrs. Evans,
and throwing away his quid for the
time, he came into the pleasant sitting
room and seated himself with his little
account book in his hand.
well, Stevie," said Mrs. Evans
pleasantly, how do we stand? This
is the end of the first quarter, you
know. | have got everything down
i'll my book and you have yours. Read
it out slowly, now, and see if we are
square. Begin
80, - - ,,,-a,.., ,I,,, .l,+hnS & mn