p. 370 | Promising

Seventh-day Adventist Missionary Society · Oakland, Cal. · Aug 17, 1882

Promising.

"How obliging Ed. Dayton is," said Martin Wells to Will Buchanan one day when they left the school-house together. "He says he will lend me any book he has, and he has so many nice ones. He promised to bring me 'Carlina' tomorrow. I never could finish it, because I didn't get the magazine."

"Oh yes, he's very good about making promises!" said Will, dryly.

"And he said he'd get me a ticket to the Mercantile, or speak to his father—he's one of the managers. There's some arrangement by which they give tickets to a certain number of boys. Wasn't it kind of him?"

Martin was a stranger in a strange place, with little money to spend; and Ed. Dayton's pleasant words and obliging offers had made a strong impression upon a mind naturally sensitive and grateful.

"Oh, certainly, very kind of him," said Will, who knew pretty well the nature of Ed. Dayton's

promises, but would not prejudice a stranger against a school-mate.

"So different from John Fitz Adam," continued Martin. "I wanted so to see 'Atkinson's Siberia,' and I knew he had it, and I did venture to ask him to let me take it this week, and all he said was he 'couldn't promise.' It's the first time I ever asked a favor of any one in this school," said Martin, proudly, "I guess it will be the last."

"It's not like John to be stingy," said Will; and then the boys parted.

The next morning Ed. Dayton had forgotten to bring "Carlina," and then when Martin, two days after, ventured to remind him of his promise, he said that the book was his sister's, and that she didn't like to lend her books.

Seeing the state of the case, Martin said nothing about the library ticket, of which he heard nothing more, to his very great disappointment, for he dearly loved books.

He was going home Friday night, feeling rather tired, homesick, and lonesome, when John Fitz Adam came running after him, with a book in his hand. "Here's Atkinson," he said, out of breath, "I couldn't promise it the other day, because I didn't know whether father wanted to send it away to grandma or not, and it was lent to my cousins, but it came home last night, so it's at your service, and keep it as long as you like."

"Oh, thank you !" said Martin, brightening, and regretting his hasty judgment of John, "I'm sure you are very good;" and then the boys parted, and presently Martin was joined by Ed. Dayton.

"I think Fitz Adam is a regular mean fellow," said Ed. "I just asked him this morning to look out some references for me in some books I know he has at home, and he wouldn't promise to do it, because he said he thought his father wanted him this evening. I'd like to see the time when I couldn't promise to oblige a friend."

"And I'd like to see the time when you'd keep your promise," thought Martin. "If people always keep their promises, they are generally rather careful how they make engagements. It don't cost any one much to promise, who never performs."—Child's World.