Anti-slavery bugle. [volume] (New-Lisbon, Ohio) 1845-1861, 1846-08-14
From Mrs. M. L. Bailey's Visiter.
Vacation.

$500 as ~ - DuiSO . FlSlleT.
Vacation.
'Oh ! what glorious times we shall have,,
cried Charley, as he leaped over the bencbos
with his satchel well laden with books ON bis
shoulder, and the pleasant anticipation of va
cation in his heart. I'm off for the country
to-morrJw; father promised more than a
month ago that if l won the highest prize, I
should spend vacation at Uncle Williams
He lives not far from the river, where l can
battle and fish, and they have loads of fruit;
and all the boys are such prime fellows, we
shall have lots of fun. James, are you GO
ing to the country tool" said he, addressing
a pale, thin boy, with a fine intelligent face,
who stood near the teachers desk, looking
sadly at his merry companions as they babe
farewell to the teacher and each other.
NO. said the poor boy quietly, and as he
turned away, his lip quivered for a moment,
and the tears sprang to his eyes. All were
gone, and still James fingered. The teacher,
who was busy at his desk, did not at first
observe him. Hearing suppressed sigh. he
looked up. 'Ah, is it you, James! Why
do you stay, my poor boy , said he kindly;
i am sure you need rest and recreation more
than any one in the school. hope you may
have a pleasant vacation
Thank you sir, said James, but | am
sure no place is so pleasant to me as this
school room. Oh, how | wish this long va
cation were over'
What a strange boy you are? = said the
teacher. Il would rather have you happy
and careless like others, even if you gave me
more trouble, than see your young face cloud
ed by care and thought at your age
The other boys have nothing to trouble
them as | have, and that makes the difference,
SIR said James.
You are too young to talk of trouble.
James, said his teacher i fear your deli
cate health and retired habits make you too
sensitive
You would not think so, il you knew all,
sir-indeed you would not said the poor
boy, and for a moment, the blood rushed to
his cheek, and his lips quivered with emo
ton. He walked to the window and after a
moments effort, returned with the same pale,
sad face, and bidding his teacher an affec-
uonate : good bye walked away alone.
The kind teacher was struck with the boys
look and manner even more than his words.
There is something about that boy | do not
understand he said to himself, .and | think
as soon as | can find time, | will inquire
about him. Perhaps | can be of service to
the poor fellow
There was much indeed in the history of
poor James to awaken sadness in a less feel
ing heart. His mother was in feeble health.
Long watching by the cradle of her sick babe
had destroyed the last remains of health in a
frame naturally delicate. And when we add
to this the intemperance. of his father, who
can wonder that the poor boy fingered in the
school room, his only refuge from the sad
scenes he too often witnessed at home.
'Ah,' he thought, as he bent his steps
homeward, If l were only strong enough to
work, 1t would be some comfort : then | need
not see mother and little Annie looking SO
pale and thin. | wonder if any body would
employ me! | might make something; even
If 1t was but little, il would help to buy food.
Oh, how glad | will be when | am old enough
to teach school. We shall have enough then
and to spare For some days James made
every effort possible to obtain a situation,
but he was so small and delicate that every
body told him that he was not fiji to work.
If they would but let me try sobbed the
poor boy, Il an sure | could do very WELL
: Never mind, my son. said his mother; sbe
patient and God will not forsake u.s. Just
at this moment James teacher knocked at the
door, and after a few kind inquiries into their
circumstances, he was informed of James
unavalllng efforts to obtain employment.-
All, it is as | suspected, my poor child
said he kindly. Come, cheer up we will
see what can be done for you. / have heard
OF a place that will, | think, suit you. MY
friend, Mr.. B, who is a bookseller.
asked me if | could recommend an honest,
clever boy TO run errands. That is not hard
work, and the exercise out of doors would do
you good
'Oh, sir said James, 4 am so glad you
have thought of me. | am sure | do not care
how hard the work is. | am stronger than
you think, and if | can but dc something for
WE'LL
At the close of the v~acaticn, few would
have known the pale sad James, so much had
he changed. The hope of being useful. and
active exercise had brought a glow TO his J
cheek, and kindled the light of happiness in
MS eye. His teacher was reioiced at this
happy change, and SO well pleased was his
employer with his faithfulness and prompts
tude, that an arrangement was made by
which he was enabled to recite almost all the
lessons, and at the same time do all that was
for him to do in the shop.
When Charles first met James on the
playground, he looked at him with surprise.
why James, said he, where have YOU
been !-somewhere in the country by YOUR
improved looks; you must have had a pleas
ant time.'
80 have,' said James smiling, 'but not
IN the country; ! have been hard at work ev-
since ] parted with you, and l was never
so happy before
That is a strange fancy said the thought
less Charles. who ever heard of working
In vacation except indeed for a frolic Well,
boys have strange notions
James smiled good naturally as he turned
away, for he knew that Charles could NOT
know how his labor had brought comfort 10
mothers heart, and health 10 her cheek,