The Caucasian. (Clinton, N.C.) 188?-1913, 1912-10-10
that had escaped the early fros, grew

: and . voice called ont:
: gallo. Say. yoa your~ fe.go-es.
are you going 10 the village"
. No" replied George. moving for
ward. But Jack said:
/; Hold on: let's see what's wanted. -
we haven't t!me." persisted
George.
! Well take time," Turning to
the man he said: Can we do any
thing for you, sir?"
Well. I'm that stiff with rheuma-
tics that / couldn't hobble TO the viii
lage and back in half a day. Miss
Green wants her shoes for Sabbath.
and I've run out o. thread and can.
finish them nohow, 'thout ! get some.
I thought mebbe you'd just as soon
get me some: boys like TO run about.
My. I wish / was boyi'
George demurred, and explained
that they were in haste, and were not
going to the business streets OF the
F.. town, and, anyway, did not expect TO
return before 9 o'clock I'VE could
bring the thread then, IL that would
do?" he said.
The old man shook his head.
There wouldn't be time to finish the
work after that, and Miss Green, she
don't like to be kept waiting. Be-
sides, l promised her, and never
broke a promise yet" and the old
voice faltered as the head drew
back; he was about to shut the win
dow when Jack spoke up:
'I'll d othe errand, sir, IL you'll
tell me just what you want and where
to get it,"
The old face frightened, "Bless
you. You'll save an old mans repu-
tation for keeping his word. and Miss
Green won't be kept from church to-
morrow"
In spite of his cousins protest,
Jack waited for his orders and cheer
fully undertook one or two additional
commissions. 1t is true that he was
late at the grove, and the Ninth
Grade had been before him, so that
the nuts were scarce, and George,
with his own bag full, said taunt-
ingly:
IF you hadn't been such a greeny
as to turn an errand boy for old
Snitz, you might have had as many.
You got nothing for it, and lost your
chance here"
You are mistaken; l did get some
thing."
You did! What?"
Thanks, and a promise to do me a
good turn" returned Jack quietly.
THAT was good pay! Likely you'll
get into the presidents cabinet on
the strength of his influence" ex-
claimed George, ironically.
We'll, Snitzer, at it YETI"
Yes, ledge, I'm alters at it!
Can you sew up rip in my boot
Just now while l wait
''Reckon | can, sir! I amt SO very
busy. The truth is, kinder kalker-
lated to lay off this forenoon. I had
no other business on hand"
''Ah, how so?" asked the Judge,
with a show of interest
. well, l have been writing out a
certificate of character for boy. You
+ know about John Brandon's boy. He
lives up to his Uncle Fred Brandon s
now, but he wants to get chance to
make something out of himself, and
l just writ out a paper for him;
mebbe you'd like to look it over while
I take the boot in hand?"
/ This is what Judge Cary read, writ
ten in a cramped hand, with some
misspelled words:
This certifies that Jack Brandon,
I son of the late John Brandon, is a
polite, kind young fellow He is
i kind to animals, help to the poor and
:. helpless, honest, can reckon money
/ correct, and has good, strong tenn
! erance principles. He can stand rid1-
d, Guile, and can sacrifice his own inter-
! ests without wanting to be known as
martyr. Anybody that wants this
sort of boy had better get hold of
i Jack Brandon
(Signed) Karl Snitzer"
How do you know all this?" ask
: ed the Judge, when he had spelled
out the scrawl
:, How do l know? Well, I'll tell
; you, ledge" While the rip in the
boot was rapidly closing the old man
, told of his interview with the two
D.: Brandon boys. Nov, that Jack took
> Off his hat while he talked with me-
so I know he is a polite boy He
stopped to pat the cat when she
rubbed up against him, so know he
lis kind to animals. He gave up the
nutting party to do me a kindness
: and didn't seem to think it was any
great thing to do. He did my err
rands all square, and brought back
the change, more than I expected
because some of the things were
cheaper than I thought. So, you see