Chapter X: Jimmy's Plan

ONE evening in July Jimmy sat on a cricket with his head in his mother's lap. The day had been very sultry; but now there was a pleasant breeze which wafted the sweet fragrance of the honey-suckle to the porch where they were seated. From the meadow came the sound of the bull frogs croaking their evening song, while every now and then a cricket chirped out a chorus. Jimmy had now nearly recovered his health, though any unusual exertion brought on a return of the pain in his head.

It was a great relief therefore to his parents, that the long summer vacation would give their boy an opportunity to gain strength.

Mr. Dodge soon joined them accompanied by their pastor whom he met coming to make a call. Jimmy's head ached; but his mother's hand, passing softly across his forehead, soothed the pain; so he sat quiet, and listened to the conversation.

"I have been to see Mr. Crawson," began the clergyman, "and I am very much pleased with what he says of himself."

"That man's heart is in the right place," responded Mr. Dodge warmly. He then repeated the story of Mr. Crawson's having drawn a hundred dollars from the brink to pay the Doctor's bill, and how the good, generous man had returned the money.

Jimmy had never heard the story before, and was very much affected by it. He knew that Mr. Crawson worked very hard to earn enough to support his family; and that his sons never had a cent to spend for sports. Then his father went on to state how the Doctor had brought him a receipted bill, adding:

"I could not offend the good man by not accepting it; but I shall watch a chance to do him a favor."

The clergyman staid some time; but Jimmy heard nothing more. An idea had flashed into his mind; and he wanted to be alone to think it over.

"I'll go to bed now," he whispered to his mother, and she answered, "Very well, dear. I'll go to your chamber as soon as the pastor has gone."

It was almost an hour later when the company left, so that she could attend to Jimmy. She hoped and expected he would be asleep; but on entering his room with a light in her hand, she saw that his eyes were wide open, and there was a crimson spot on either cheek.

"Why, Jimmy, are you sick, darling?" she asked quickly.

"No, mother; but I've got a plan. I hope you and father will be willing."

The lady bent down and kissed him. He looked very beautiful; his soft wavy hair falling over his white forehead, his deep, earnest eyes; but still there was something in his countenance which made her heart ache. Just so his baby sister had looked before God took her to heaven.

"Do you think father would sell his buggy?" the child went on. "I heard him tell Mr. Morse it was too narrow for him, and that was the reason he bought the carryall. Now the buggy has been standing in the barn a long time, and he don't use it but once in a great while."

Mrs. Dodge laughed, but he seemed so earnest that she went to the head of the stairs and called out:

"Husband, come up here a minute. Here is a boy wants to know if you will sell your buggy."

"Who wants it, Jimmy?"

"I do. Oh, father, please don't laugh. I've been thinking of a plan. I don't want Mr. Crawson to take his money out of the bank for me. If I hadn't been a bad, disobedient boy, I shouldn't have gone in the boat, and then Daniel couldn't have hurt me. I don't want the Doctor not to have his pay because he isn't rich, and he goes to see so many poor people who can't give anything."

"But what has that to do with my buggy, my son?"

"I'll tell you, presently, father. You know the money grandmother gave me; and the bank book with my name in it that's in your desk?"

"Yes, I know."

"Now, father, if you'll take the money for yours, and let me have the buggy, and get Mr. Morse to fix it up and varnish it, then I could give it to the Doctor instead of his old, rattling thing."

"That's a famous plan, Jimmy. I'll think about it and to-morrow I'll tell you. Now go to sleep or you will be sick."

Mr. Dodge walked out of the room without another word; but his mother stooped over the bed and whispered:

"You're a darling child." Then she kissed him and went away.

The next morning Jimmy heard the sound of wheels driving out of the yard. He sprang from the bed just in time to see his father riding away in the buggy. He dressed himself in a hurry, and ran down to ask his mother what it meant; but she only laughed, and told him to be patient.

Just before breakfast was ready his father came back leading the horse with the harness on him, but no carriage. After they were seated at the table, Mr. Dodge said with a smile:

"I thought, Jimmy, you were going to buy a watch and gold chain, and a Phi Beta Kappa medal like the minister's, and a farm, with your money in the bank."

"Oh father!" answered the child with a blush. "That was when I was a little boy."

"Ah indeed, that makes a difference!" said the farmer with a comical glance at his wife; "Well I've found out that I can have the buggy wheel mended, and the whole painted to look as well as new for twenty dollars. So if you're inclined to make me a good offer. I think I shall take you up."

"Will the money I have be enough," asked Jimmy anxiously.

"Let me see. There's five hundred dollars besides the interest for four years and some little sums added. Yes, I think that will do."

"Oh, father, I'm so glad;" and Jimmy in his excitement shed tears of joy.

He could not understand Dexter's shout of laughter, nor his mother's whispered "Hush! I wouldn't, husband." He only knew that he was very happy.

"What will the Doctor say?" he exclaimed joyfully. "Do you think he'll know it is his."

A fortnight later, the good physician was called to make a visit about two miles from home. Jimmy was out in the yard with his father when they heard the sound of the loose wheels rattling down the hill.

"He's going away, wont it be a good time now, father?" asked the boy.

"Yes, it will."

Mr. Dodge went to the barn, harnessed the black mare, put Jimmy on her back, and led her along to Mr. Morse's shop. The buggy looked so bright and handsome that the little fellow scarcely knew it. Mr. Dodge examined every part, then opened his pocket-book and counted out twenty dollars, harnessed the mare into the carriage and drove to the Doctor's house.

"I've got my letter all ready," Jimmy said, laughing in an excited manner. "After we've put the buggy in the Doctor's chaise-house, I'll pin the letter to the cushion. Mother said that would be the best way."

They had scarcely reached home and put the mare in the barn before back came the old wheels, and the Doctor's broad good-natured face. Jimmy had to turn around he felt so much like laughing.

It was not more than twenty minutes before there was a loud call at the front porch.

"Jimmy Dodge, Jimmy Dodge!"

The good Doctor was sitting in the buggy, wiping his eyes and laughing at the same time. "I tell my wife," he said to Mrs. Dodge, "that the millennium has begun, there are so many good people in the world." Then he shook hands with Jimmy over and over again and went away leaving the little boy very happy, and I don't think his money in the bank was lessened by one penny.