The Potter journal. [volume] (Coudersport, Pa.) 1857-1872, 1860-11-01

The pitcher was filled with new milk,
and there was a loaf of bread, hot from
the oven in the basket. "She says please
accept them"
"Your mother is very kind, Henry"
replied Mrs. Maynard. Tell her that |
am very much obliged to her.
"And she's very much obliged to you, :"
SAID the boy.
"For what, Henry 2"
Don't you know 2" And the boy
looked Mt her in pleased way.
Mrs, Maynard shook her head.
Don't you remember one day, when |
was over here, that you asked me if |
could read 2"
I've forgotten"
"Wo haven't then, mother and I. You
asked me if | could read, and said no.
Then you told NE I must learn right
away, and yeu got book and showed
me \ B Cs; making me go over them
a good many times until | knew them all
by heart. Then you gave ne the book.
| have studied it almost every day, and
now | can spell in two syllables."
"And this is why your mother sent ne
such nice loaf Of bread aud pitcher Of
new milk Z"
"Yes, ma'am."
"You can't read it ?"
"No."
"Then you must bring your book oyer
and let me give you another lesson"
ooh, will you p A light like sun
shine came into the boys face.
"Ycs, Henry, and with pleasure. You
may come every day if you will"
"May |? Oh, that will be good
And Mrs. Maynard" Henry checked
himself. He evidently wished to go .
little farther--
"What is it, Henry ?" said Mrs. May
nard, ercouragingly.
May l bring Katy along sometimes
She wants to learn so badly. She
most knows her letters
"Why yes, Henry. Bring Katy by all
means. Alice will teach her"
Henry glanced toward Alice, as if not
fully satisfied in regard to her view in
the case. But she gave him an assuring
smile and word, and the boy ran home
with light feet to tell the news.
"What does this mean, Alice ?" said
Mrs Maynard, looking at her daughter
with countenance through which dim
light seemed breaking.
d" 1t may be true what Mr. Fleetwood
says" replied Alice, " the work that God
has for US to do may now be lying, all
unseen, around us"
This Is no mere chance remarked
Mrs Maynard, in 4 thoughtful way.
Don't you remember" said Alice,
chow often dear father used 10 say there
was no such thing as chance? l felt,
while reading Mr. FIeetwood's letter, as
if it was father who was speaking to US" "
Mrs. Maynard shut her eyes and sat
very still fer many moments; then she
opened the letter, which she held in her
hand, and read it through slowly.
sit reads different now. l am sorry
for Mr. Fleetwood 1t is hard, when
years lay upon US their long and accumu-
Iatirg burthous, to find earthly props sud
denly removed. Poor mcn. 1t is hard,
it seems as if he ought to have been spar
ed. What he had to give he has gwen
freely, ard | thank him with grateful
feelings. Yes, have father in Hcav-
en-, and I will look up to him in these
days Of darkness. He will show us the
way. Who knows but the path is opened
for US?
My own thought, mother. There are
more thar forty children in this town who
are growing up in as much Ignorance as
Henry Auld and his sister. Their pa
rents will not, or cannot send them to
school. These children have immortal
souls, and almost infinite capacities that
will be developed for good or evil. They
are Gods children. Let us care for them,
and God will care for rs. Let US take
the leaf Of bread and pitcher of milk as
the sign Of Gods providence towards US
| feel, dear mother, that such truth will
not be in vain. Mr. Fleetwood's letter
has turned the channel OF my thoughts
in new direction. hiay God reward
him for all he has said to us in this our
time Of need, aud said SO kindly and
wisely"
The daughters hope and faith flowed
into the mothers heart. They were not
indolent, self-indulgcnt women. All they
asked was to be shown their work !; and
now, in Their eyes, it seemed to be lying
all around them.
On the next day Henry Aud came
over with his sister Katy, and received
the promised lessons.
;" Do you know any other boys and
girls who wish to know how to learn to
read 2" asked Mrs. Maynard, as the chill!
dren were going away.
"Oh. yes, | know good many" re-