and he was telling me some of his queer plays. Now, then, Major,
fish away;” and Dan finished off his work by putting a big blue fly
on the bent pin which hung at the end of the cord he had tied to the
willow-rod.
Teddy leaned down from the tree, and was soon wrapt up in
watching for the fish which he felt sure would come. Dan held him
by his little petticoats, lest he should take a “header” into the
brook, and Mrs. Jo soon won him to talk by doing so herself.
“I am so glad you told Demi about ‘leaves and things;’ it is just
what he needs; and I wish you would teach him, and take him to
walk with you.”
“I’d like to, he is so bright; but ”
“But what?”
“I didn’t think you’d trust me.”
“Why not?”
“Well, Demi is so kind of precious, and so good, and I’m such a
bad lot, I thought you’d keep him away from me.”
“But you are not a ‘bad lot,’ as you say; and I do trust you, Dan,
entirely, because you honestly try to improve, and do better and
better every week.”
“Really?” and Dan looked up at her with the cloud of despondency
lifting from his face.
“Yes; don’t you feel it?”
“I hoped so, but I didn’t know.”
“I have been waiting and watching quietly, for I thought I’d give
you a good trial first; and if you stood it, I would give you the best
reward I had. You have stood it well; and now I’m going to trust
not only Demi, but my own boy, to you, because you can teach
them some things better than any of us.”
“Can I?” and Dan looked amazed at the idea.
“Demi has lived among older people so much that he needs just
what you have knowledge of common things, strength, and
courage. He thinks you are the bravest boy he ever saw, and
admires your strong way of doing things. Then you know a great
deal about natural objects, and can tell him more wonderful tales
of birds, and bees, and leaves, and animals, than his story-books
give him; and, being true, these stories will teach and do him good.
Don’t you see now how much you can help him, and why I like to
have him with you?”
“But I swear sometimes, and might tell him something wrong. I
wouldn’t mean to, but it might slip out, just as ‘devil’ did a few
minutes ago,” said Dan, anxious to do his duty, and let her know
his shortcomings.
“I know you try not to say or do any thing to harm the little fellow,
and here is where I think Demi will help you, because he is so
innocent and wise in his small way, and has what I am trying to
give you, dear, good principles. It is never too early to try and plant
them in a child, and never too late to cultivate them in the most
neglected person. You are only boys yet; you can teach one
another. Demi will unconsciously strengthen your moral sense, you
will strengthen his common sense, and I shall feel as if I had
helped you both.”
Words could not express how pleased and touched Dan was by this
confidence and praise. No one had ever trusted him before, no one
had cared to find out and foster the good in him, and no one had
suspected how much there was hidden away in the breast of the
neglected boy, going fast to ruin, yet quick to feel and value
sympathy and help. No honor that he might earn hereafter would
ever be half so precious as the right to teach his few virtues and
small store of learning to the child whom he most respected; and
no more powerful restraint could have been imposed upon him
than the innocent companion confided to his care. He found
courage now to tell Mrs. Jo of the plan already made with Demi,
and she was glad that the first step had been so naturally taken.
Every thing seemed to be working well for Dan, and she rejoiced