JOHNNY A FAVORITE.
I WISH you could have seen Johnny the first morning he started for
school. His face was as clean as soap and water could make it; his hair
was nicely parted on his broad forehead; his eyes shone like stars; and
his mouth was wreathed with smiles. He wore the new suit Mrs. Miles had
given him, and a clean linen collar around his neck. In one hand he
carried a little pail full of dinner; and under his other arm, his
spelling-book, reader, and slate. He was to call at Mrs. Miles's for a
pencil; and so, after bidding his mother good-by and hearing her call
after him, "Be a good lad, Johnny, and don't let any idle boys turn you
from your book," he hurried away to be in season to choose a seat.
This was the first day of the term, and the earliest scholars had the
best chance.
Mrs. Miles met him at the door with the long slate-pencil nicely
sharpened in her hand; and, having looked at him from head to foot, she
said, approvingly,--
"You are just right, Johnny, and I'm proud of you." Then she kissed his
glowing cheek, and he ran down the steps.
I suppose you would like to know where the silver dollar was all this
time. Why, round Johnny's neck, to be sure! You know he was to wear it
till he told a lie; and, as he had never departed from the truth, it was
still there, fastened to a nice ribbon that his mother had bought for
it.
At school, Johnny liked his teacher and the boys; and they liked Johnny.
In school he was as grave as a judge, studying his lessons with all his
might; but at recess there was not a merrier boy among the whole set.
Playing ball or catcher were new games to him, who had always been
obliged to work so hard, and he enjoyed every moment of the time given
to them.
Then he was always fair at his plays, and ready to oblige his
companions. By-and-by it used to be said,--
"Don't cheat, now! Be fair, like Johnny Talbot."
This pleased Johnny's friends more than all the rest. To be sure they
liked to have him a good scholar,--to have him popular among his
school-mates; but it was best of all to know that he tried to do what
God would approve.
At home he was just the same boy that he was when I first began to tell
you about him, and was as ready to give up his pleasure to his mother
and Ella as he had been to give up his scant breakfast of Indian
porridge, when he knew there was not enough for all.
As you may imagine, Johnny was a very busy child. He rose almost as soon
as he could see, and reached the farm where his mother and Mrs. Miles
bought their milk, before the farmer was ready for him. Then he was back
with his two pails, and off for the factory for a couple of hours.
He was very happy here, for all the men and women smiled upon him, so he
whistled away at his work, though the noise of the machinery prevented
any one but himself hearing his music.
When the town-clock struck eight he was off for home, where he had only
just time to eat his breakfast, wash and dress for school, before it
was the hour to start.
After school, he changed his clothes again, and had three more hours for
work before dark.
So the summer passed happily away. Sometimes, indeed, when the boys were
starting off for nuts; or when he heard them on the common, flying their
kites, he used to wish, just for one moment, that he were rich, so that
he could have time to go with them; but he did not cherish such
thoughts. He knew that God had been very kind to him, and that his
heavenly Father had ordered all things for his best good. His mother had
explained to him that it was for Joseph's future advancement that God
allowed him to be put into prison, and that this great and good Being is
always watchful over those who love and trust him.
At home, though Johnny had little leisure, yet he contrived to please
Ella so much that she longed for his presence, and would run forth to
meet him, her apron full of grass and flowers, which she had gathered
for dear Johnny.