Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-03-25

4.
'.Oh, you are. are your said Tom "A
great treasurer. bet you'd make. don't
believe you could count more than %,
much less be trusted with 1t. I never be-
lieve anything that ! don't see. II you are
the treasurer bring the money to school to-
morrow"
Before Arthur had chance to think
whether this would be right or wrong,
he had said, I'm do it, and at recess time
I'll show II to you down In the hollow be-
hind the school house"
That night after Arthur had gone to his
room he unlocked the box in which he kept
the league money. He placed the pennies,
nickels. dimes and quarters in separate
piles and counted them. They amounted to
his reports called for. He then got out the
bag mother had made him for his marbles
and emptying "commyes," "agates" and
'glasseys" into box, put the shining coins
into the bag. This was a safer way to
carry the money to school, besides it would
not jingle In such tell-tale way.
The next morning, as agreed, the two
boys made their way to the hollow. With
eyes sparkling, Arthur revealed his hoard,
and Tom, after counting it for himself,
pleased the younger boy by saying, You re
all right, youngster; / guess I'll have to
lose my wager on you. l bow before the
honored treasurer of the Boys League of
Canaan"
Thus ended the affair as far as Tom was
concerned.
That night on counting the money before
replacing it in his drawer Arthur found
that 80 cents was missing. He counted
the money over and over, he searched In
his pockets. turned the bag wrongside out.
but all to no avail. The total simply would
not pass the $7.97 mark.
Arthur was Mortified. He remembered all
the tales of embezzlement he had ever
heard There had been man in the post
office once who was found using money not
his own. This man had been sentenced to
fifteen years in prison. Arthur's father had
told him all about the story, warning Ar
-, rte Ia. 1,a,
thief. He only borrows the money for a
time, telling himself that some day he will
replace it." This is what Arthur had done
now.
words kept repeating themselves over and
over again to Arthur, who in imagination
saw himself wearing the stripes of the prls-
on at Auburn. Finally ray of hope came
to his rescue. He remembered that the
man who had brought the charge against
the post office official had given him a
chance to replace the money, saying he
would not prosecute him If he made good
his stealings. There was then one chance
for Arthur. He could replace the half dol
lar he had lost, but how? He could tell
father and mother but after all their warn
ings Arthur had not the courage. HIS
birthday money was all gone, and he had
not a thing in the world that he could sell.
Just then a warm, furry something hud-
died close to Arthur. He felt the soft body
next his face, and quick, short little breaths
told him that something loved him and was
sorry for his dilemma. -
Tightly hugging Whitley, Arthur felt less
unhappy. Sympathy always has that effect
upon US, especially from those who, not
having tongues to say Il am sorry tell US
this in so many other ways. Whitley only
meant to tell Arthur he wished he might
help him, but the thought of how Whitley
could help him had already dashed through
Arthur's mind
He could sell Whitley, for Whitley was his
own, and with the money pay the boys
league
Sell Whitley? The thought brought tears
to Arthur's eyes, although he was ten years
old and no cry-baby. Sell Whitley? Oh. he
simply could not part from his pet.
Il can't sell Whitley, the unhappy boy
sobbed. but after a few minutes thought
Arthur decided that hard as the remedy
was it was the only thing to do.
The next morning, on his way to school,
Arthur stopped at Mr.. SchutzS s, at whose
butcher shop he had often seen rabbits dis
played for sale. The thought of his Whitley
being eaten made Arthur tremble as he APP
preached Mr.. Schultz. Mr.. Schultz helped
"a bbit, have you? Well, they are worri-
some things. How much do you want LOT
him?''
Fifty cents said Arthur, glad the ice
was so quickly broken.
..Well, here it isl said Mr.. Schultz. who
made a memorandum of the sale on a pad
of paper lying before him. Before Arthur
realized It he was out of the shop without
sacrifice Of his disobedence.
Nobody Is supposed to know what hap
pened next, but one eyewitness later re-
ported to Arthur's mother that Arthur hid
behind a. fence and cried as he had not
cried since he had put on his first pair OF
trousers What is known is, that at dinner
time Arthur had no appetite. He COM
) planned of headache, and Mrs. Welsh, see
ING his flushed cheeks, kept him home from
school She devoted the afternoon to caring
for him, but as evening came ana ms
cheeks grew hotter and hotter, she went 10
the telephone to call up the doctor.
Arthur stopped her by saying, I'm not
sick mother, indeed I'm not. I'm just bad,
that's all that ails me, just pao anu hoile-
sick for Whitley"
Then the whole miserable story came out.
All about Tom Kemp. the leagues money
and his own disobedience. Arthur tod the
story without sparlng hlmseiI, puI m1e n. ne ie
came to the part that Whitley played In 1t
his mother saw that he was punished
enough without any scoldlng from her der
heart ached for Whitley, the innocent little
sufferer Putting on her hat, in few min
utes she was over at the butcher shop. She
hoped she might still be in time, but her
heart beat fast as she saw on sip at the
bay window the words, "A Weisn happlt.
5Oc." Whitley had already been killed and
sold. and for the miserable sum of 90 cents.
Hearing a noise at the side window, Mrs.
Welshs fears were quickly set at rest. On
looking out she saw Whitey himSelI ailve
butchers daughter, was playing with him
as gently and as merrily as Arthur nad
ever done The butchers assistant was
buslly engaged in making rabbit house
FOR the new arrival. Mrs. Walshs Impulse
was to buy Whitley back, but her Wlsdom
told her that such course would spoll IL
ALL She felt that Arthur had been careless
and disobedient and should be punished.
Il Whitley were returned to him all the
gocd the lesson should teach him would
be lost ~
what are you going to do with Whitey?'
she asked Mr.. Schultz
Mr.. Schultz told her that he already had
given him for an Easter present to Elsie,
WEc was Just crazy nit him alretty.
EIsie's actions proved that in her Whitley
w0ulc have a loving mistress. and Mrs.
Welsh decided this was the best way out
of the difficulty.
Arthur bravely bore his punishment. 1t
was a long time before the affair could
be mentioned to him. Just a hint of It
would give the boy sinking of the ston-
aeh. His mother said this was the natural
consequence of having disposed of a Welsh
rabbit.