Republican news item. [volume] (Laport, Pa.) 1896-19??, 1900-06-07
Ei'Iie Fairfleld's Promise.

When Billie took the milk to Mrs.
Sc don one morning, and she ask eL
him ii he woult bring another quart
that night, he said "Yes M promptly,
and then never thought of it again
until he was III bed.
''Nell, l cart take it now," said
Billie; but he could not go to sleep,
though he turned and tossed and
twisted till he was tired At last he
went to the head OF the stairs and
shouted, "Mother!"
Mrs. Fairreld had just threaded
her needle and stretched stocking
with big hole in it over her hand.
She said "Oh, dear!" but she went tG
see what Billie wante'.
You'll have to go now," she said
quietly, when he had told her.
20 mother! l cant so 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, If they
walked him, baby would wake, too.
So Mrs. Fairfield thought q minute.
Then she said, ''We'll see. I'll have
the milk ready when you come
! down."
When Billie got into the kitchen.
his mother stood Mt the door with her
hat and shawl on. Billie began tc
feel ashamed. He wished he dared
/ to go alone, but he did not, for it was
lonesome road. He took the milk
and they tramped over the snow uE
the long hill without q word. The
wind blew in their faces and Billie's
ears were cold, but he had the milk
can III one hand and pulled his sled
with the other, so there was no way
to warm them. He was ashamed tG
ask his mother to take the milk.
Mrs. Selden exclaimed when she
opened the door: "Why, what made
you come away up here tonight? And
you, too, Mrs. Fairfield. It's too bad'
1 could have got along somehow with
out the milk"
"Billie promised you," Mrs. Fair
field answered. And Billie wished
nobody would look at him.
'Twasn't any matter, she said,
mother" he urged, when they had
started for home again.
The wind was in their backs now,
and Billies ears were warm.
'Buy the truth, and sell it out,
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 if she
would slide down hill. Mrs. Fairfield
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
Billie was still uncomfortable.
"Why don't you do something tc
me, mother?" he said, while they were
warming themselves at the big coal
stove in the sitting room. II b'lieve
Id feel better to have a good whip.
ping"
His mother smiled at him.
"'Twould be pretty hard work foi
me to whip such big boy as you are.
Don't you want to help instead oi
making mo do more? I'll tell YOU
how you will be punished, Billie
she continued. Its too late to finish
mending these stockings tonight. so
shall mend them tomorrow when was
going to make cottage pudding and
I'll be no pudding for dinner"
Gotta ye pudding was Eillies favor.
lite desert, and this was blow thai
he laid to heart.
He and his father would say scot.
tage pudding to each other for long
time atterward, if anything was in
danger of being neglect d or forgotten.
And when Billie had grown to be
man, and people said, Just give me
Billie Fairteld's word that's all ]
want" Billie would smile and say,
"Yes, my mother taught me to keep
promise. sunday School Times.