The star. (Reynoldsville, Pa.) 1892-1946, 1908-09-23
SAM AND HIS BROTHER.



two boys will take them to the sink
and open them"
The two small boys lugged their
basket across the kitchen and went
quietly to work. Mrs. Tucker re-
turned to her cooking, and sent oc-
casional friendly glances at them;
they were good looking boys. At
last they showed her what they had
done.
"Yes, that will be enough" she
said, and took out her purse to pay
them.
She laid a ten-dollar bill on the
table, and then fumbling in the purse,
secured some small coins, which she
handed to the older boy. "That's
right, isn't it?" she asked.
"Yes, ma'am, thank you"
The pot on the stove began to boil
and summoned her. She dropped the
purse beside the ten-dollar bill, and
seizing the spoon, stirred rapidly. The
boys fingered at the sink, gathering
up the shells.
@Good-by!" said the older boy.
"Good-by," said Mrs. Tucker, with
out turning. "lf you have any CLAIMS
on FriIay. you might bring me
some"
The fuckers were growers of small
fruits, and as the boys made their
way down the lane toward the road
they gazed longingly at the berry
pickers.
"Would't you like to be in among
them raspberries, Sam?" asked the
smaller boy.
Il don't know. They amt there to
be eaten; they're just there to be
picked" said Sam stolidly.
"Hi, there, boys!"
They turned at the shout, and saw
Mrs. Tucker and man running to-
ward them from the house.
"It's because l cracked a dish in
the sink" said the younger boy, be-
ginning to run.
"Come back, Tom, come back" "
cried the older. But Tom paid no
attention and fled down the lane.
Sam walked slowly toward Mrs.
Mrs. Tucker and the man, who came
up out of breath.
"Now," gasped the man angrily,
Sjust hand that ten dollars over to
my wife!"
Sam stared in amazement.
"How could you?" asked Mrs.
Tucker, reproachfully. "And
thought you were such nice boys!"
Il don't know about the ten dol.
lars" said Sam, flushing in spite OF
himself. "I'm sorry Tom cracked the
dish, and I'll pay for it,"
He offered her the thirty cents she
had given him.
Il don't know anything about any
cracked dish," she said. Its the ter
dollars you or the other boy took
from the table that / want"
"Yes," said Mr.. Tucker, harshly
"just drop that bluff about the
cracked dish!"
The boy made no movement, bu
he grew pale and stood in silence
Come" said Mr.. Tucker, impa
tiently, you had better confess! l
may save you from the reform
school"
"I've got nothing to confess" sale
Sam. II don't know anything abou
the ten dollars-except that noticed
1t on the table. That's all know"
Maybe the other boy took it Will
you weren't looking suggested Mrs
Tucker.
"Tom amt thief! protested Sam
Indignantly. "More likely I'd take /
than him. He amt twelve year
old"
rs he your brother?" asked MI
Tucker.
"Yes, sir"
'I've seen you about the village
Who are you, anyway"
Sam Williams is my name. M
father was Henry Williams that
that got drowned"
Mr.. fuckers voice and manne
softened. Il knew your father; h
was good fisherman, and he was a
ways honest. I'm sorry If his boy
amt CROWN up the same"
Sans eyes filled and his liz
quivered, but he only repeated:
II don't know anything about tn
ten dollars, Mr.. Tucker"
Mrs. Tucker pulled at her hu
bands arm and whispered in his ca
and he stroked his beard and SCENE
uncertain how to proceed. At last /
said:
"Well. I won't do anything abol
It for the present. But there's !
telling what may do IL things ain
straightened out pretty soon. VI
can see on the face of it. it looks b;
for your brother and you"