The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1920-02-14
Tommy's Experience
In the Garden

@oil oho Ottlhys ttlt
ted by and he tried to catch them
in his hat, but they were too quick
for him and flew out of his reach
Soon he passed beautiful garden
with flowers, toh, so many and SC
lovely! roses! such a profusion OF
tne,---liSht roses. yellow roses,
item -~s=s-~.-- ~-~-A~-...Ii,1 tbay
white roses. how 80. 'nes
looked. Tommy loved to touc.l
them, for he loved flowers. besides
his mother was lame and could not
so out to see them. a.
Their yard was too tiny, there
was not room for them and they
had no money with which to buy.
If he could only have some of those
to carry home!
There were SO many, a few could
not be missed He looked eau
tiously around, no one was in sight,
no gardner to bid him keep away.
He glanced at the window, no one
was looking so he slipped silently
through the gate and quickly help
. ed himself to a few of the beauti-
ful roses. No one would know
they had been picked, there were
so many more. Then quickly ran
home, his little heart beating fast.
He lived in a tiny house at the
end of a court, where it was dark
and dingy. He burst into the
room where his mother was sitting
in a low chair. Her face was pale
but her lips smiled as the boy enter
ed.
Il have brought you some flowers
mother!" beamed Tommy. See"
and he handed her his bouquet.
oh" cried his mother" how
beautiful! Who gave you such
lovely ones?"
The little boy held down his head,
for he was ashamed to tell his
how he had got them. He had
thought of it before, but it flashed
upon him now that she might not
think it just right for him to take
them, SO he said nothing.
Put the flowers in water dear"
said his mother.
Tommy eagerly found a bowl, fill
led it with water and put the flow
esr into it, and they filled the room
with fragrance.
Come here, son." called his
mother, and Tommy came and
nestled by her side.
Now tell mother about it she
coaxed, where did you get the |
flowers?"
I-I--t ook them-out Of IA
garden" stammered Tommy, e
thought you would like them"
| like flowers, son, "she confes-
sed," and it was kind of you to
think of me, but were they yours
to take?"
Why-no-but-" checked Tom
my. --
would rather never see flower
than have my boy take what does
not belong to him." said his mother,
sadly.
Oh!-was it stealing?" gasped
Tommy.
Yes, dear, it was stealing" re
piled his mother.
Tears came into Tommy's eyes,
1t was beginning to look serious.
He never thought that he was steal
ing, just taking a few flowers when
there were so many more.
81 did not-mean-to steal" he sob
bed.
eyes, know, dear" replied his
mother. "but my boy has taken
what does not belong to him and
that is stealing. Now what do you
think he had better do about it,"
Z do-not know" hesitated
Tommy.
eff a boy came and took your
cart. what would you think he
ought to do?" she asked.
81 think he should bring it back"
he asserted stoutly. And if he took
some flowers, what do you think
ne ought to do?" continued his
mother.
Why he should carry them back
I suppose" he faltered, shall l,
mother?"
THAT is for you to decide, DEAR" ;
she smiled, mother cannot decide
for you.
.sTop,pov thouobt for q lopo tiyoo | Z