The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1906-06-13
JOHNNY'S TEMPTATION.
BIZ Lissie C. Farmer.

Johnny Rivers stood watching wicked Hornie try
ing to pull of the wires off the fence so she
could get into the cornfed. Although it was but
half-past seven, Johnny his way to school,
He had been going early the past few weeks because
he was working very hard for the prize.
You see, the teacher of this little school away out
on the prairie frontier of Kansas had offered prize
to the scholar who got the most credit marks during
the spring term and everything counted-being in
your place promptly not being tardy, not absent
having good lessons, being good in department.
everything Johnny and Tommy Lukens were ahead
of everybody else, and just with each other
when school closed Friday night. This was Monday
morning, and so Johnny hurrying up to get a
good long time to study before school began
He was just going the history lesson to him
SELF when he came to the place in Lukens' fence
where old Hornie trying herself Old Hormie
was, L suppose one of the meanest that ever
lived She had very sharp horns with which she
would tear the wires off any fence she wished to
cross unless it very well built
Now, while Johnny watched her, it occurred to
him that if she got into that feld of Tom would
see her when he came along to school, and then he
would have to home and get some one to help
him get her out, and that would make him at least
two hours late at school, and he would lose several
credit marks, and Johnny would be ahead. Lukens
did not usually keep old Hornie in this field. She
was generally in field the road that had
an extra strong fence around it for her especial
benefit, but some had left the gate OPEN and
here she was! 1t would not have taken johnny five
minutes to put her back where she belonged and
close the gate but he did not do it; instead he did
a very thing. 1t was in a little valley where
no one could see him, he to the fence and
pulled out with his jacklnife some of the staples
that held the wires to the fence. He knew Hornie
would do the rest Then he to the school
house fast he could.
Tom did not get to school until noon
30 Tom! Toni" cried the other scholars, you've
lost ten credits, and Johnny's that much ahead"
Can't help it," replied Tom grimly " / had to
get our old cow out of the corn she'd have killed
herself"
"Was that what kept you out this morning?"
Then, while Tom told about Hornie, nobody noticed
that Johnny very red in the face, and very
sheepish-Iooking. All that afternoon he was most
uncomfortable, and he lay awake that night long
time thinking about his meanness.
Early the next morning the teacher was much
surprised to see Johnny suddenly put in appear
ance, just as she starting out for school,
why, Johnny, how do you happen to be away
over here?" she said in some surprise.
Here's some flowers" Johnny answered evasively
as he handed her a big bouquet of buffalo bean
blossoms.
"And you ten credits ahead of Tom said the
teacher, by way of starting the conversations
Yessum," said Johnny, and then he trudged along
In silence for few minutes. It was hard TO get
started on his confession! But he did get started
pretty soon, and told the whole story from begin
ming to end.
why, Johnny, l would have thought you
would do such thing-you have always been such
a good boy" Miss Fork said when he had finished
But I've owned up almost right away"
pleaded Johnny. g." Lots of fellows wouldn't have
owned up at all"
That's true" Miss Fork admitted but think
] will have to punish you, too Johnny That was
p city bad thing to do, and / think you ought to