Where Tom Found His Manners
By Florence V. Halliwell
Tom's father was a rich man, and Tom lived in a large house in the country. He had a pony and many other pets, and wore fine clothes. Tom was very proud of all the fine things his father's money bought. He began to think that being rich was better than being good. He grew very rude, and was cross to the servants. Once he kicked Towser; but the dog growled, and Tom was afraid to kick him again. One day, when Tom was playing in the yard, he saw a boy standing by the gate. He was ragged and dirty, his hat was torn, and his feet were bare; but he had a pleasant face. In one hand he carried a pail half full of blackberries. "Go away from here," said Tom, running to the gate. "We do not want any boys around." "Please give me a drink," said the boy. "If you are so rich, you can spare me a dipper of water." "We can't spare you anything," said Tom. "If you don't go away, I will set the dogs on you." The boy laughed, and walked away, swinging the tin pail in his hand. "I think I will get some blackberries, too," said Tom to himself. He went out of the gate into the lane leading to a meadow where there were plenty of berries. Tom saw some fine large ones growing just over a ditch. He thought he could leap over it very easily. He gave a run and a big jump. The ditch was wider than he had thought; and instead of going over it, he came down in the middle of it. The mud was very thick and soft, and Tom sank down in it to his waist. He was frightened, and began to scream for help; but he had not much hope that help would come, for he was a long way from any house. He screamed until he was tired. He began to think that he would have to spend the night in the ditch, when he heard steps on the grass. Looking up, he saw the boy he had driven from the gate. "Please help me out," said Tom, crying. "I will give you a dollar." "I don't want the dollar," said the other boy. Lying down flat on the grass, he held out both of his hands to Tom, and drew him out of the ditch. Tom was covered with mud, his hat was gone, and one shoe was lost in the ditch. He looked very miserable. "Who is dirty now?" asked the boy. "I am," said poor Tom; "but I thank you very much for helping me out of the mire, and I am sorry I sent you away from the gate." "The next time I come, perhaps you will treat me better," said the boy. "I am not rich; but I am stronger than you are, and I think I have better manners." "I think so, too," said Tom. The next day, when Tom saw the boy going by the gate, he called him in, showed him his rabbits, doves, and ducks, and gave him a ride on his pony. "You have better manners now," said the boy. "Yes," said Tom; "I found them in the ditch." — Florence V. Halliwell, in the Sunday School Visitor.