KEEPING HIS WORD.



"COME, Ned, let's go nutting. It's just the best day," cried Joe Richards to his chum, Ned Hartz, one beautiful October day.

"All right," replied Ned, "just wait till I go in and tell mother where I'm going."  He was just rushing out of the door, basket in hand, when his little brother Frank came round the corner of the house.

"O Neddie, let me go!" he cried; "I'll be good; do, please! "Ned gave a look at Joe.

"Yes, let him come; but we must hurry, for we've got to meet the Ford boys down street."  "Now, Ned, promise me you will keep Frankie with you all the time," said Mrs. Hartz anxiously, "or I shall worry about him."

"Yes, mother, I promise," he said. Mrs. Hart looked fondly after them. 

"Dear Ned," she said to herself, "he is always to be trusted."

The boys had gone but a short distance when they overtook the Ford boys, who were to be their companions on the expedition. It was about three miles to the woods, but by the time they had gone two, Frank began to complain of how tired he was.

"O Neddie, my feet ache so I can't go any farther," he said at last, throwing himself down on the ground.

"But we'll be there before long; can't you keep up one more mile?" Ned asked him kindly.

"No, I want to go home to my mother," sobbed the child.  Ned looked sober. "Well, boys," he said, "I don't see but that I shall have to go home. I ought to have thought that Frank was too small to walk so far."

"Can't we carry him a little way?" Joe asked. “I'll help."

"No," said Ned, "he'd have to walk all the way back, for our baskets will be full then."

"Yes, that's so," assented Joe.

"Oh, come on!" said Tom Ford. "Let the little chap go home alone. It's a straight road, and he couldn't lose his way."

"No, I promised mother to keep him with me," said Ned stoutly;" and besides, he wouldn't dare go back alone. There is no need of my keeping you waiting any longer, for I must go, there's no question about it."

So saying, he took Frank's hand, and turned homeward.

"Well, I think you're foolish," said Sam Ford. "I wouldn't do it, but there's no changing your mind when once you've made it up."

"Not when he's in the right," said Joe, standing up for his friend. Frank said so much about being tired that Ned made him get on his back and ride most of the way; and as the little fellow was pretty heavy, he was glad to reach home at last.

"Why, boys!" said their mother as they came in, "aren't you home early?"

"We didn't go," cried Frank," and Neddie bringed me home on his back;" and then out came the whole story. When it was through, Mrs. Hartz kissed Ned warmly, saying, "I always knew I could trust you, Ned, but now I have an additional proof of it. I am proud of you, my boy."

And Ned was much happier for keeping his word, I think, don't you? 



M. E. H., in Young Pilgrim