The Houma courier. (Houma, La.) 1878-1939, 1900-06-23

the bride, sat down to a feast the like
of which had not been in that house for
months
This marriage took place in the
spring, and as the summer advanced
and waned, Sammie grew more moody
and defiant. For Mr. Monasmith had
said to his wife: II do not approve of
Sammie smoking cigarettes. They're
bad for him, whichever way you take
it. And 1 don't feel it my duty to pro-
vide him the money to buy them with" /"
Mrs. Monasmith, who was very hap
py with her new husband, submitted to
his decision, and Sammie, who might
otherwise have bullied her into fur
nishing him cigarette money, saw that
she was adamant to all his coaxing
and scolding He might have worked
and earned his money, but work for
himself was something of which Sam
mie did not approve.
The town of Ganabrant had not
failed to watch with interest Mr.. Mona
smiths career as a stepfather.
There's one thing" said old Mr..
Havens. Hes shut Sammie off on
cigarettes. 1 hadn't supposed that
Jacob would quite get up the nerve to
do that. I expect he threatened to lick
him if he didn't quit"
This was the last day of September,
and the next day Sammie was observed
to be smoking again. Somebody had
given him quarter for trifling serv-
ice, and the money had at once been
spent for cigarettes.
"I thought it was strange if Jacob
had got him broken SOS he'd stay
broken" observed Mr.. Havens. "'Twas
Mr.. Janeway gave him the quarter.
That's warning to me, now I tell you.
I don't ever pay boy quarter for
doing anything after this" And Mr..
Havens looked as if he had formerly
been in the habit of scattering quar-
ters broadcast among boys, whereas it
had been long time since he had given
one even a penny, for any service,
Now all the Dwigans family, howev-
er wasteful and shiftless they might
have been, had always been regarded
as strictly honest, And so when the
next night a store, or 1 should have
said the store, which sold cigarettes
was broken open and the entire stock
of cigarettes stolen, nobody for an in
stant suspected Sammie. Particularly
as Sammie the next day, appalled, by
the enormity Of his deed, carefully hid
away the ill-gotfen goods and forbore
to smoke, although cruelty urged to
do So BY the pangs of appetite.
Does seem as If luck was on Jacobs
side, commented Mr.. Havens. Here's
Sammie smokedup his quarters worth,
and now there won't be any for awhile
for Sammie to get hold Of"
Meanwhile Jacob Monasmith found
the peace and happiness of his life
broken in upon. Although temperate
himself, he knew the strength of appe-
tite, for Miss Havens was mistaken
wheG said he had no powers Of OBJ
servatic1. he had very great powers
of observation and a great sympathy
for the tempted. And he was not long
in discovering the identity of the
thief.
Twas Janeway giving him that
quarter that started it, he unused.
'Sammie hadn't had any for quite
spell, and when the quarters worth
was gone he got desperate and stole"
And Jacob sighed as he put on his hat
and went to seek his stepson.
He found him, after some search, be-
hind the barn, sitting listlessly on an
old, overturned wagon-bed. Taking
seat beside him, Jacob said: where
have you hid them, Sammie?"
The boy started up in terror, but his
stepfather laid a OBTAINING hand on
his arm. "Sit stilli" he said, kindly
but firmly. There was silence a mo-
ment, during which the strength of
viii that lay behind that OBTAINING
hand was making itself felt all through
Sammie's deranged nervous system.
And when the question was repeated:
where have you hid them, sammie ?"
the answer came in whisper: "Up in
the loft"
For some time Jacob deliberated.
Then he said: "Do you love your moth
er, Sammie ?"
eyes, I dol" came the answer, and
the boy burst into tears.
wv AASAg wv EAAu ohGODs NOW
wen see what can be done. We don't
want her to find out about this, Sam
ME"
The boy listened with bated breath.
'sDo you love her well enough to
promise me never to steal any NOR?
That is what I'm asking you, Sammie.
DO you love your mother well enough
to promise me, because you love her,
never to steal any more2 ?"
Yes, sir, he answered, respectfully.
"Then,p said Jacob, removing his
hand from the boys arm and rising,
Il love her well enough to get YOU
out Of this scrape. But there's one
thing more I'd like to ask you. OF
course you don't love me, but do YOU
respect me enough to promise me to
quit smoking those things?"
Il dol said Sammie, solemnly.
Sim not wanting to ask too much
Of you" said Jacob, ''but any time YOU
should feel it in your heart to call me
pa,' TN be proud to hear you, son.
And then Jacob walked away.
Nobody stood by to see the tumult
in sammie's small nature that day, and
nobody saw his spirit burst its bonds