Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-08-06
Brother Bih's Jack Knife.
BY ERAsTus osGoOD.

|
ed; just the thing to play pull the peg
! When father gave him the knife how
| Bits eyes did glisten. He kept opening
| and shutting the big blade to hear it click
10 be honest. l was rather displeased for
Bill had little knife already. But the only
| one had was an old one of fathers.
Bill isn't as well and strong l am and
| maybe It's on that account he is always
| getting something-I don't mean the
| measles and whooping cough which he got
| and l didn't-but presents and favors
Inc Sunday after Bill received his knife
ne went to Sunday school in the afternoon,
! ana don't believe 1 will ever forget the
lessons for that day as long as l live The
| golden text for that day was:
brotbsrx ih I anectioned one to another: with
| '"'neiV iove IN honor preferrng another
MISS Carey. our teacher told us very
| interesting story about Damon and Pythias
| VINO were bosom friends
couidnt begin to tell the story half
wen as MISS carey did. remember it all.
! either: but Damon loved his friend so we'll
that he offered to give his life for Pythas.
Wy Ny! put IL was exciting At the conclusion
| Miss Carey said: Now YOU see bows what
oeep bfotherly love Damon had for his
friend, and you should all try and cultivate
nke spirit; but be especially kind to your
| brothers and sisters
When she said that she looked straig Mt at
me and know my face turned red when
| remembered how jealous l had felt when
| Bill had been given the new knife.
The next day had to go to school alone.
Bill was feeling poorly, mother said. and 1t
| looked like rain. That Monday l knew all
my lessons perfectly. but had to think of
tnat golden text more than once, for the
| boys nearly made me lose my temper. be-
| cause, well. l will tell why. There was a
circus coming to town that week and near
~ all the fellows were going. Father didn't
| want us to go. 1t was the last days of
Lent and Bill and 1 had promised him we
wouldn't attend show during that sea-
son.
| When 1 returned home I found Bill lying
| on the sofa. crying. l asked him what was
the matter For moment he dn't an
swer. Then he brushed up and shifted, "Oh.
nothing" But l knew there was. and L
felt sorry for him, for if Bill isn't as strong
as most fellows, he is mighty plucky, and
never cries if he possibly can help it. Just
then mother came in and told the whole
story.
During the forenoon the sun came out so
warm and pleasant that Bill went for a
little walk in the field back of the house,
and when he returned he discovered that
he had lost his new knife. l told Bill not
to cry. That 1 would go up in the field
AMI hunt for it: but 1 about to
start 1t began to rain again. and continued
to pour the remainder of the evening. L
tried to cheer Bill up all I could by telling
him about the circus posters: the picture of
a horse walking tight rope. and Bill said
he didn't believe a horse could do such a
trick 1 said I didn't either. and that l
didn't believe the circus going to
amount to much, and that the following
week we would all go and see Uncle Toms
Cabin that was going to be played in the
town hall.
That night after was in bed 1 lay awake
thinking what could do to make Bill feel
happy again in case l didn't find his knife.
When 1 thought about the golden text 1
felt ought to do something. l had saved
| in my iron bank little over a dollar and
| il 1 really wanted to 1 could buy Bill a
knf hut hnr 7 hax,a
away from Uncle TOMS" and when L
thought Of that hesitated.
Early the next morning mother came into
my room, and told me that Bill had been
| quite Ill all night. He was threatened with
a fever. 1 hurried in to see him. He was
half crying and half laughing, and when 1
realized how i'll he I made I'D my
mind to spend the money in the way had
planned. Uncle Toms Cabin" could go to
| Guinea
| Before I started for school went up in
| to the field, but my search for the knife
| was unsuccessful 1 took from my bank
| one dollar and fifteen cents-all the money
| L had AS soon as school was dismissed 1
| hurried to the town to store where 1
| knew they kept the best cutlery, and was
| fortunate enough to find that they had just
! one knife left exactly like Bill's 1t cost
IS cents. but 1 didn't care much. as |
almost from the time 1 left the hardware
store my troubles began. First 1 met lot
| of boys going to the circus. 1 could hear
the band playing, and the music did sound
| fine. l guess l must have loitered for
when 1 arrived home it was quite late
| Father asked me where 1 had been since
school. | told him l had been to town.
Father is not usually cross or unreasonable
| hut that evening it did seem to me that he
| was, for he said sternly. You did not
| break your word and go to the circus, did
| you?"
NO. sir. did not replied
| We'll. then what has detained you?'' he
| demanded
I Said t-iSh aI hn
| please, from explaining just then. but he
was not satisfied with such an answer, and
| ordered me to go to my room and remain
| there until he sant for me.
| Whep at last I was called down for sup
per 1 knew by my mothers face that she
was displeased with me. too. On inquiring
about Bill / was told he was better. but 1
could not see him. So of course I could not
| give him the knife and did want to have
| that satisfaction.
The next afternoon I was allowed to go
| into the sick ROOM and how delighted Bill
was wher took from my pocket the knife.
I had rubbed it in the dirt it didn't look
brand-new. Bill actually stretched out his
arms and gave me a hug. OF course. mother
and he both thought it was the knife he
had lost. and it would have spoiled it all to
| tell them otherwise.
! When father reached home he came right
up to Bills room. and Bill showed him the
knife and said that l had found It, Father
gave me a searching glance. and said he
would like to speak with me in the next
room.
MY son." he began, II fear 1 have done
you an injustice. and 1 insist on your an
swering me few questions Did you find
that knife"
"No-sir," I stammered, and I hung my
head in confusion.
you bought the knife at Mr.. Sanders
hardware store, did you not?'
Yes sir" faltered.
And used your own money" continued
father.
Yes, sir" 1 answered and my voice be-
gan to tremble.
LAS suspected. and you're a brave chap.
I went to Sanders store this afternoon to
purchase another knife for Bill, and they
told me that you had been there and
bought the last one they had of that style,
and paid for it all in pennies. am sorry
YOU were punished unjustly. my little man.
He laid his hand on my shoulder tenderly,
and l, like a big baby. burst out crying.
Then mother came in and said just what
I knew she would, that she would live to
see me bishop yet.
Catching Monkeys.
In the Philippine Islands the natives catch
MONKEYS In such funny way.
n,6 of fhn cot