"DEAR DANIEL:""I am a great deal better. I eat bread and creamevery day; and I like it very much. Dear Daniel,I cannot tell you how sorry I am that I acted so bad,and told so many lies, and ran away from school.I have asked God to forgive me for Jesus Christ'ssake; and I think he will. Mother says He alwaysdoes forgive boys when He sees they are reallypenitent. I have thought a great deal about you;and I don't want you to think I'm angry becauseyou struck me. It made me sick at first; but I amrather glad of it now, because if I hadn't got hurtI might have gone on growing worse and worse. Mothersays, our Father in heaven often does allow hischildren to get into trouble, to let them see thatthe Bible is true, when it says: 'The way oftransgressors is hard.' So you see it was good forme to be hurt. Dear Daniel, I love you dearly.I knew you'd be sorry. I thank your father for beingso kind to me. Will you please ask him to let youcome with me to Sunday school when I get well;and we'll learn to be good boys together?""Teacher came to see me a good many times; but Iwas too sick to know it. I'll never play truantagain.""YOUR FRIEND, JIMMY DODGE."
"DEAR DANIEL:""I am a great deal better. I eat bread and creamevery day; and I like it very much. Dear Daniel,I cannot tell you how sorry I am that I acted so bad,and told so many lies, and ran away from school.I have asked God to forgive me for Jesus Christ'ssake; and I think he will. Mother says He alwaysdoes forgive boys when He sees they are reallypenitent. I have thought a great deal about you;and I don't want you to think I'm angry becauseyou struck me. It made me sick at first; but I amrather glad of it now, because if I hadn't got hurtI might have gone on growing worse and worse. Mothersays, our Father in heaven often does allow hischildren to get into trouble, to let them see thatthe Bible is true, when it says: 'The way oftransgressors is hard.' So you see it was good forme to be hurt. Dear Daniel, I love you dearly.I knew you'd be sorry. I thank your father for beingso kind to me. Will you please ask him to let youcome with me to Sunday school when I get well;and we'll learn to be good boys together?""Teacher came to see me a good many times; but Iwas too sick to know it. I'll never play truantagain.""YOUR FRIEND, JIMMY DODGE."
"DEAR DANIEL:""I am a great deal better. I eat bread and creamevery day; and I like it very much. Dear Daniel,I cannot tell you how sorry I am that I acted so bad,and told so many lies, and ran away from school.I have asked God to forgive me for Jesus Christ'ssake; and I think he will. Mother says He alwaysdoes forgive boys when He sees they are reallypenitent. I have thought a great deal about you;and I don't want you to think I'm angry becauseyou struck me. It made me sick at first; but I amrather glad of it now, because if I hadn't got hurtI might have gone on growing worse and worse. Mothersays, our Father in heaven often does allow hischildren to get into trouble, to let them see thatthe Bible is true, when it says: 'The way oftransgressors is hard.' So you see it was good forme to be hurt. Dear Daniel, I love you dearly.I knew you'd be sorry. I thank your father for beingso kind to me. Will you please ask him to let youcome with me to Sunday school when I get well;and we'll learn to be good boys together?""Teacher came to see me a good many times; but Iwas too sick to know it. I'll never play truantagain.""YOUR FRIEND, JIMMY DODGE."
"DEAR DANIEL:"
"I am a great deal better. I eat bread and cream
every day; and I like it very much. Dear Daniel,
I cannot tell you how sorry I am that I acted so bad,
and told so many lies, and ran away from school.
I have asked God to forgive me for Jesus Christ's
sake; and I think he will. Mother says He always
does forgive boys when He sees they are really
penitent. I have thought a great deal about you;
and I don't want you to think I'm angry because
you struck me. It made me sick at first; but I am
rather glad of it now, because if I hadn't got hurt
I might have gone on growing worse and worse. Mother
says, our Father in heaven often does allow his
children to get into trouble, to let them see that
the Bible is true, when it says: 'The way of
transgressors is hard.' So you see it was good for
me to be hurt. Dear Daniel, I love you dearly.
I knew you'd be sorry. I thank your father for being
so kind to me. Will you please ask him to let you
come with me to Sunday school when I get well;
and we'll learn to be good boys together?"
"Teacher came to see me a good many times; but I
was too sick to know it. I'll never play truant
again."
"YOUR FRIEND, JIMMY DODGE."
Dexter was very glad to oblige his young friend by carrying this letter to Mr. Crawson's.
"What have you there, Dan?" asked his father the same evening, as he saw his son slily wiping his eyes while trying to read a paper.
The lad passed Jimmy's letter without a word, his lip quivering as he did so.
"Give me my specs, Amos.—There, on the end of the mantel."
He lead the writing from the top to the bottom of the page, coughing a good deal and clearing his throat at the last, while Daniel watched him closely. It was full five minutes before he spoke. He sat holding the letter, gazing straight before him. Then he said abruptly:
"I went out in the large boat and caught a blue fish to-day. I think there'll be more to-morrow. If you've a mind, Dan, you may get up and go with me to Buzzard's point. May be we can find something that will taste as good as the bread and cream Jimmy tells about. When you go there, you tell him your father says you may go to Sunday school and welcome."
"I'd like that firstrate, father. I'll go to bed now so as to be up in season." He folded the letter carefully and put it in the drawer. He wanted to say that he had resolved to turn over a new leaf; but he had not the courage. As he was reluctantly leaving the room he caught the eye of his father fixed full upon him, with an expression of such yearning tenderness that he sprang forward and clasped his arms round his father's neck and kissed him.
Never since he could remember had he given such an embrace; but it did them both good. There was a sob, and then a laugh in which all in the room joined. Mr. Crawson held the boy off at arms-length and looked at him with a smile. Never had their hearts been drawn together as now.
As Amos and his brother left the room Amos said with a sneer:
"I guess I'll try murdering folks, and see whether dad'll cosset me up. Bah, it makes me sick!"
"Amos," called out Mr. Crawson, "I told you to get up and work in the garden; but you may go with us if you'd rather. I aren't agoing to have my boys think I'm partial to ary one."
The next day when Mrs. Dodge went to the kitchen she found a large blue fish, nicely dressed for cooking; lying on a platter.
"Daniel Crawson brought it," Ellen said laughing, "and he'd got another one for the Doctor. He said they were alive this morning. He caught them himself. Oh, there's a little paper too."
She took from her pocket a soiled piece of paper which seemed to have been torn from a book. On it was written with a pencil:
"Father says I may go to Sunday school. I neverwas sorrier in all my life. I never prayed afore,but that night I did ask God to forgive me. I'm sickof being such a bad boy. If you'll help me be good,you shall have all the fish you want.""DANIEL CRAWSON."
"Father says I may go to Sunday school. I neverwas sorrier in all my life. I never prayed afore,but that night I did ask God to forgive me. I'm sickof being such a bad boy. If you'll help me be good,you shall have all the fish you want.""DANIEL CRAWSON."
"Father says I may go to Sunday school. I neverwas sorrier in all my life. I never prayed afore,but that night I did ask God to forgive me. I'm sickof being such a bad boy. If you'll help me be good,you shall have all the fish you want.""DANIEL CRAWSON."
"Father says I may go to Sunday school. I never
was sorrier in all my life. I never prayed afore,
but that night I did ask God to forgive me. I'm sick
of being such a bad boy. If you'll help me be good,
you shall have all the fish you want."
"DANIEL CRAWSON."
Not long after this Miss Reynolds called at Mr. Dodge's to inquire about her scholar. The vacation was near, and she was intending to leave the town for eight weeks.
Jimmy was almost well now, though he looked very pale and thin. After some conversation with Mrs. Dodge about his studies, the boy put his hand into his teacher's and said timidly:
"I'm glad you came; I've been wanting to tell you something. I told a lie when I said I went with mother. Will you please to forgive me?"
"Yes, my dear Jimmy," she answered putting her arm around him. "I think you have learned a lesson you will never forget. Solomon tells us in the Bible that, 'wisdom's ways are ways of pleasantness and all her paths are peace.'"
"Yes, ma'am; and I never was so unhappy as after I began to be wicked."
"How about Daniel Crawson?" she asked earnestly. "He has been very regular at school lately, and studies as if he meant to make up for lost time."
"Oh, I'm so glad! He's going to Sunday school too. His father has given him leave."
"Yes;" added Mrs. Dodge, "and I can tell you something more. Mr. Crawson has hired a pew in the side aisle, and told your father he intended to go to church himself. He has not been for fifteen years. He says he's seen occasion to change his mind about religion, and if it isn't too late he means to try and get it himself."
Mrs. Dodge urged the teacher to stay to tea; but as she could not, the lady brought in a saucer of raspberries with sugar and delicious sweet cream.
Miss Reynolds said it was years since she had enjoyed such a treat. After she had eaten the fruit, she went away, telling Jimmy to get up a good stock of health so as to be able to study hard in the autumn.
ONE evening in July Jimmy sat on a cricket with his head in his mother's lap. The day had been very sultry; but now there was a pleasant breeze which wafted the sweet fragrance of the honey-suckle to the porch where they were seated. From the meadow came the sound of the bull frogs croaking their evening song, while every now and then a cricket chirped out a chorus. Jimmy had now nearly recovered his health, though any unusual exertion brought on a return of the pain in his head.
It was a great relief therefore to his parents, that the long summer vacation would give their boy an opportunity to gain strength.
Mr. Dodge soon joined them accompanied by their pastor whom he met coming to make a call. Jimmy's head ached; but his mother's hand, passing softly across his forehead, soothed the pain; so he sat quiet, and listened to the conversation.
"I have been to see Mr. Crawson," began the clergyman, "and I am very much pleased with what he says of himself."
"That man's heart is in the right place," responded Mr. Dodge warmly. He then repeated the story of Mr. Crawson's having drawn a hundred dollars from the brink to pay the Doctor's bill, and how the good, generous man had returned the money.
Jimmy had never heard the story before, and was very much affected by it. He knew that Mr. Crawson worked very hard to earn enough to support his family; and that his sons never had a cent to spend for sports. Then his father went on to state how the Doctor had brought him a receipted bill, adding:
"I could not offend the good man by not accepting it; but I shall watch a chance to do him a favor."
The clergyman staid some time; but Jimmy heard nothing more. An idea had flashed into his mind; and he wanted to be alone to think it over.
"I'll go to bed now," he whispered to his mother, and she answered, "Very well, dear. I'll go to your chamber as soon as the pastor has gone."
It was almost an hour later when the company left, so that she could attend to Jimmy. She hoped and expected he would be asleep; but on entering his room with a light in her hand, she saw that his eyes were wide open, and there was a crimson spot on either cheek.
"Why, Jimmy, are you sick, darling?" she asked quickly.
"No, mother; but I've got a plan. I hope you and father will be willing."
The lady bent down and kissed him. He looked very beautiful; his soft wavy hair falling over his white forehead, his deep, earnest eyes; but still there was something in his countenance which made her heart ache. Just so his baby sister had looked before God took her to heaven.
"Do you think father would sell his buggy?" the child went on. "I heard him tell Mr. Morse it was too narrow for him, and that was the reason he bought the carryall. Now the buggy has been standing in the barn a long time, and he don't use it but once in a great while."
Mrs. Dodge laughed, but he seemed so earnest that she went to the head of the stairs and called out:
"Husband, come up here a minute. Here is a boy wants to know if you will sell your buggy."
"Who wants it, Jimmy?"
"I do. Oh, father, please don't laugh. I've been thinking of a plan. I don't want Mr. Crawson to take his money out of the bank for me. If I hadn't been a bad, disobedient boy, I shouldn't have gone in the boat, and then Daniel couldn't have hurt me. I don't want the Doctor not to have his pay because he isn't rich, and he goes to see so many poor people who can't give anything."
"But what has that to do with my buggy, my son?"
"I'll tell you, presently, father. You know the money grandmother gave me; and the bank book with my name in it that's in your desk?"
"Yes, I know."
"Now, father, if you'll take the money for yours, and let me have the buggy, and get Mr. Morse to fix it up and varnish it, then I could give it to the Doctor instead of his old, rattling thing."
"That's a famous plan, Jimmy. I'll think about it and to-morrow I'll tell you. Now go to sleep or you will be sick."
Mr. Dodge walked out of the room without another word; but his mother stooped over the bed and whispered:
"You're a darling child." Then she kissed him and went away.
The next morning Jimmy heard the sound of wheels driving out of the yard. He sprang from the bed just in time to see his father riding away in the buggy. He dressed himself in a hurry, and ran down to ask his mother what it meant; but she only laughed, and told him to be patient.
Just before breakfast was ready his father came back leading the horse with the harness on him, but no carriage. After they were seated at the table, Mr. Dodge said with a smile:
"I thought, Jimmy, you were going to buy a watch and gold chain, and a Phi Beta Kappa medal like the minister's, and a farm, with your money in the bank."
"Oh father!" answered the child with a blush. "That was when I was a little boy."
"Ah indeed, that makes a difference!" said the farmer with a comical glance at his wife; "Well I've found out that I can have the buggy wheel mended, and the whole painted to look as well as new for twenty dollars. So if you're inclined to make me a good offer. I think I shall take you up."
"Will the money I have be enough," asked Jimmy anxiously.
"Let me see. There's five hundred dollars besides the interest for four years and some little sums added. Yes, I think that will do."
"Oh, father, I'm so glad;" and Jimmy in his excitement shed tears of joy.
He could not understand Dexter's shout of laughter, nor his mother's whispered "Hush! I wouldn't, husband." He only knew that he was very happy.
"What will the Doctor say?" he exclaimed joyfully. "Do you think he'll know it is his."
A fortnight later, the good physician was called to make a visit about two miles from home. Jimmy was out in the yard with his father when they heard the sound of the loose wheels rattling down the hill.
"He's going away, wont it be a good time now, father?" asked the boy.
"Yes, it will."
Mr. Dodge went to the barn, harnessed the black mare, put Jimmy on her back, and led her along to Mr. Morse's shop. The buggy looked so bright and handsome that the little fellow scarcely knew it. Mr. Dodge examined every part, then opened his pocket-book and counted out twenty dollars, harnessed the mare into the carriage and drove to the Doctor's house.
"I've got my letter all ready," Jimmy said, laughing in an excited manner. "After we've put the buggy in the Doctor's chaise-house, I'll pin the letter to the cushion. Mother said that would be the best way."
They had scarcely reached home and put the mare in the barn before back came the old wheels, and the Doctor's broad good-natured face. Jimmy had to turn around he felt so much like laughing.
It was not more than twenty minutes before there was a loud call at the front porch.
"Jimmy Dodge, Jimmy Dodge!"
The good Doctor was sitting in the buggy, wiping his eyes and laughing at the same time. "I tell my wife," he said to Mrs. Dodge, "that the millennium has begun, there are so many good people in the world." Then he shook hands with Jimmy over and over again and went away leaving the little boy very happy, and I don't think his money in the bank was lessened by one penny.