Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1909-04-15
Selma Himself,


| noticed the boy drive his wagon-load
fof corn upon the old-fashioned weigh
| scales directly opposite. He watched
him, idly, as he stepped down upon
| the platform, and then, while the near
sighted Weigh-master was adjusting
the scales the boy put one foot back
upon the hub of the wheel, and seiz-
ing the back of the seat, swung him
self free Of the platform, thus adding
his full weight to that of the corn.
''IIo, hot selling himself, eh?" OK
claimed the doctor, adjusting his far
sighted glasses to be sure that his
| near-sighted eyes were not deceiving
him.
BLESS my heart, if it isn't Squire
Giles son jack" he exclaimed in
establishment. ''The young rogue, to
disgrace his good, honest old father
by such juggling! But he'll square
the deal with me or I'll know why:E
he chuckled as he hurried across the
back lot to the corn crib, where Jack
was already shoveling the big yellow
ears into the huge old-fashioned bin.
"Hello, chappie!' he called out in
his Jolly fashion. want ME to give
you a lift?"
mo, thank you," replied Jack
politely
''He's a willing little fellow, at any
rate" soliloquized the doctor, watch
ing the boys efforts at disposing of
his heavy load.
TITS a fine lot Of corn, certainly"
he added, good-naturedly adjusting his
far-sighted spectacles so as to have a
better view of the heap of golden ears,
piling up in the big granary.
With the last shovel of corn Jack
sprang down into 1.-The crib to gather
up the ''nubbins'' scattered on the
floor. and while he was at work, the
doctor stepped forward and, closing
the door with a thud, locked it and
put the key in his pocket.
doctor! Doctor LepIey!" called
Jack, thinking the absent-minded man
had shut him in by mistake. please,
sir, you have locked me in the crib"
he explained, when the doctor turned
in his tracks and faced him.
eyes, I KNOW was the reply.
isn't that right? I bought you, you
know"
tain whether the grave man peering
III IHIouSu INC UdIS was JokiHS or
crazy.
eyes, to be sure!' returned the
doctor. Il bought you and shall set
tie with your father in accordance
with your weight. How much do you
weigh"
"Ninety-two pounds" answered
Jack. sheepishly beginning to sec
through the doctors queer actions.
"Ninety-two pounds-a little more
than a bushel and a half of corn. At
eighty cents 81 bushel you are worth
about one dollar and twenty-five
cents" unused the doctor. "a cheap
boy, certainly. You have not put a
high price on yourself, Jack"
II didn't-didn't mean to sell my
SELF" insisted Jack.
you didn't" exclaied the DOCTOR
'Then why were you so careful to
have yourself weighed with the corn?
thought at the time you We're dis
counting yourself; but a boy who will
stoop to such low trickery is not
worth much at best"
Il didn't think of it in that light"
pleaded Jack, ready to cry. Its the
first time / ever did such a thing, and
I am sorry that acted so meanly."
Sorry for the wrong doing, Jack |
or sorry that you've been found out? !
Which is it. my boy?" urged the |
doctor.
"Both," answered Jack quickly. ct
am sorry I was so mean as to try to !
cheat you. and sorry that you know of |
my meanness."
"Then if I let you go back on your
deal will you give me your word of |
honor that you will never attempt |
such crookedness again." said the |
Eyes" answered Jack, eagerly. |
"And, doctor, I hope you will not tell |
my father of my-dishonesty." he |
added as he stepped humbly out of |
his prison.
II should be sorry to be the bearer
of such news to your father, Jack"
returned the doctor. "But, my dear
boy, do not let the fear of exposure
overshadow the higher and more i'm.
portant one, Of right-doing for it's own
sake. Remember, always, that if you
are to retain your own self-respect,
you must put the highest valuation
upon your honor, and never, under
any circumstances, cheaper yourself
by sale to bidders."-Young Church