The Union and eastern journal. [volume] (Biddeford [Me.]) 1854-1858, 1855-05-25

sure here was no, moment for indeci sion
as 10 how and when his money should be
spent. For knife that very afternoon, II
should go-iha, was settled at once.
Wha, boy does not remember the pride
and pleasure that came with his first knife
the dignity and manlness its ownership
conferred! Wha, boy will no, appreciate
the glad thoughts ,ha, filled Hary's hear
as he walked alone through the warm dus'
OF the highway 10 the village. He could
no, quite decide whether il should have a
white handle or dark one. but at all events
il must have two blades-and wouldn't he
show Joe Smith mex, day that some boys
could make whistles as well as o,hers-and
couldnt he mend TITLE susy nariin's lead
pencil for her, ins,eaJ Of seeing her 60 up
to the master every time it wanted sharp
ing. Oh 10 morrow was 10 be a grand
happy day!
! On Harry's way, rod or two back from
the dusty road, stood small, dark, unpain,'
ed house, a, the low. opeu window Of which
he caugh, sigh, Of face ,ha, he knew very
well and he paused, and then walked up
with pleasant, smile, 10 speak to his friend
Josey Wood. Josey was weak suffering
crippled boy. and he half reclined now on
couch his good mother had made for him.
all stuffed with hay, and covered with neat
chin'z aud drawn up close 10 The window
30 that TIE sweet warm air blew in on his
white forehead, and he could reach on, hi.
hand and touch The creeping rose-vines ill.
ed with buds, ,ha, clambered abou, the
sill.
JSsey's mother was very poor, and she
worked hard all day with her needle, for
there was no one 10 provide for herself and
her little crippled boy, aud ye, she found
lime to do world OF kind things for him.
She il was who trained the roses-who kept
the room so dain,ily clean-who carried
him in her arms ou, into the fields, in the
warm days, ,ha, he might feel the sol, grass,
and hear the birds sing, and watch the feed.
ing OF the hocks. She il was who sung
old songs 10 him, and told him stories when
he iel, i'll and the pain made him nervous
and sad. She was good mother 10 Josey
and he loved her dearly, and tried as much
as he could TO keep back from he: his
trouble and pain, and always spoke TO her
gently and sweetly.
But Josey had one great pleasure Of his
o,rn he had remarkable talent for cut
ting curious and beautiful little things out
Of wood these he stained with dye ,ha,
his mother made for him, and she carried
them down 10 the village, and sold them
when she went home with her work. To
be sure, Josey could no, make many Of
these, for his little nervous fingers were
often useless with pain, and some days he
was obliged 10 lio very still on his back,
doing nothing, Blu, the Joy he had when.
ever his mother did bring home money Of
his own earning, was more than can tell
you. His hot cheeks would glow for the
whole evening, and his mother had 10 take
him in her lap and soo,h him gently TO
sleep, or he would have lain awake all
night, dreaming Of his riches.
He was feeling very bright to-day, and
the little pine table drawn up 10 the side Of
his couch, was covered with bits Of wood,
and tiny cups Of colOring, tina, belonged 10
his work. He laid down the knife with
which he was cutting, and put ou, his thin
hand to NEE, Hauy's with an expression Of
delight. The two boys had not seen each
other for some time, and Harry had a hos,
of wonderful things Of boy-in,eres,to TO relate,
and altogether was so aifaciionate and cor.
dial. ,ha, his presence served 10 90 Josey
rs much good as the May sunshine-and
indeed, his plump, glad face, all glow
with exercise, and the warmth Of the day,
was CHEEKY sigh, for anybody.
"What are you making there'" said
Harry. pointing to the materials on the Ia.
BILE.
"Oh, something famous" said Josey.
smiling. "It's going to be the greatest
thing ever dill. L. kind o, work box,
you sec I've got splendid picture for
the top, and here IS queer invention of my
own for The spools. shall be rich, | ex-
rect, when sell il: eh, mother and he
smiled playiully.
At the word rich, Harry's hand instinct
lively dropped into the pocket that held the
two halt dollars, bu: he looked at Joscy's
wan face, and worn, patched clothes, and
something in his heart restrained him from
paradius his newly acquired wealth.
Don't stop working, Josey," he said.-
/" l should like to see how you get at it
its such puzzle to see how those beautiful
things are made. am sure Inever could
do it in lifetime"
"oh, perhaps you could il you'd nothing
else TO do, said JOsey, pleasantly; but the
words made Harry sober, as he thought oil
his own strong limbs and vigorous frame,
and thousand ways of amusement, and he
stood looking at Josey, us he worked in ST.
lencc. Ii was curious, indeed, to sec how
skillfully he cut and carved, and how smooth
ly and gracefully the rough wood came into
form, under bis touch. The work evidently
interested him greatly but now and then
his hands trembled, and his shortened breath
showed how fatiguiug even u little e1ertion
was; but hc talked pleasantly to Harry.
explaining the Why and the wherefore Of ev-
ery'hins he did, seeming to enjoy his ad.
mira,ion and sympathy very much.