The Delta independent., 1900-12-14
OILLiE'S PROMISE.

When Billie took tho milk to MA
Selden one morning. and she asked
him IL he would bring another quart
that night. he said. "Yes'm" promptly.
and then never thought Of 1t again
until he was in bed.
well. | can't take 1t now" said
Billie: but he could not 60 to SLEEP.
though he turned and tossed and twist
ed till he was tired. At last he went
to the head and the stairs and shouted
Mother"
Mrs Fairfield had Just threaded her
needle and stretched 4 stocking with .
big hole in 1t over her hand. She said,
"Oh, dear!" but she went to see what
Billie wanted.
You'll have to go now" she said
quietly. when he had told her.
'.Oh. mother. l can't go away up
there alone" Mrs. Fairfield knew that.
for Billie was never out alone at night
His father had gone to bed downstairs
with the baby; and. II they walked him.
baby would wake. too. So Mrs. Fair
field thought a minute. Thsn she said.
We'll see. I'll have the milk ready
when you come down"
When Billie got into the kitchen. his
mother stood at the door with her hat
and shawl on. Billie began to feel
ashamed. He wished he dared to go
alone; but he did not. for 1t was
lonesome road. He took the milk. and
they tramped over the snow up the
long hill without a word. The wind
blew in their faces. and Bibles ears
we're cold: but he had the milk can In
one hand, and pulled his sled with the
other. SO there was no way to warm
them. He was ashamed to ask his
mother to take the milk.
Mrs. Selten exclaimed when she
opened the door. why. what made you
come away up here tonight And you.
too. Mrs. Fairfield. It's too bae!
could have got along somehow with
out the milk"
billie promised you" Mrs. Fairfield
answered. And Billie wished nobody
would look at him.
"'Twasn't any matter" she said.
Mother" he urged when they had
started for homo again.
The wind was in their backs now.
and Billie's ears were warm.
Buy the truth. and sell It moi" !"
said his mother. The matter was your
promise. Billie. Would you sell the
truth Just to get rid Of walking up to
Mrs. Selden's?"
Billie made NO answer. He was
ashamed again.
Presently he asked his mother II she
1T IA
laughed, but she was . small woman.
and she tucked herself up on the front
of the sled, while Billie stuck on be-
hind, and they slid down the long hill
to their own yard, where Billie skill
fully steered In. His mother praised
the way he managed his sled, but Bill
lie was still uncomfortable.
why don't you do something to
me, mothsr?" he said. while they were
warming themselves q the big coal
stove in the sitting room. II b1ievs
Ia feel better to have . good whip
ping"
His mother smiled At him.
"'Twould be pretty hard work for
me to whip such big boy as you are.
Don't you want to help instead Of max
| ing me do more? I'll tell you how you
will be punished. Billie" she contin-
ued. Its too late to finish mendins
these stockings tonight. 30 shall
mend them tomorrow, when I was go
ing to make q cottage pudding. and
there'n be no pudding for dinner"
Cottage pudding was Biilie's favorite
dessert. and this was . blow that he
laid to heart.
He and his father would say cot
tage pudding" to each other for . long
time afterward IL anything was in
danger Of being neglected or forgot
ten. And when Billie had grown to
be . man. and people said. Just give
me Billie Fairneld's word; that's all
want" Billie would smile. and say:
Yes. my mother taught me to keep .
promise a. II. L. Hawes, In Sunday
School Times.