Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1861-05-29
CLEARFIELD. PA, WEDNESDAY, MAY 49, 1861.
A LESSON IN OBEDIENCE.

ssJack Jack here, sir! HE on'' crieC
| Charlie, finging his stick far into the pond
Jack didn't want to go; it wasn't pleasan
| swimming in among the great lily leaves
that would flap against his nose and eyes, and
! and get in the way of his feet. So he looked
at the stick and then at his master, and sal
down, wagging his tail, as much as to say,
] ssYou're very nice little boy but there was
! no need of throwing the stick in the water,
and l don't think I'll oblige you by going af-
| ter it.
| But Charlie was determined. He found a.
mother switch, and, by scolding and whipping,
forced Jack into the water, and made him
fetch the stick. He dropped it on the bank.
however, instead of bringing it to his master
so he had to go over the performance again
and again, until be had learned that when
Charlie told him to go for the stick he was TO
obey at once. Charlie was satisfied at length,
and with Jack at his heels, went home to tell
his mother about the afternoons work. He
seemed quite proud of it. ssIt was pretty
hard work, mother,'' he said. ssJack wouldn't
mind at all until L made him but now he
knows that he has to do it, and there will be
no more trouble with him, you'll sees
s'What right have you to expect him to
mind you ?'' asked his mother quietly.
''Right, mother? Why, he is my dog !
Uncle John gave him to me, and l do every
thing for him. Didn't make his kennel my
own self, and put hay in it? And don't iced
him three times every day And Pm always
kind to him. l call him snice old jack and
pat him, and let him lay his head on my knee.
indeed, think I've the best right to have
him mind mei''
His mother was cutting out jacket. She
did not look up when Charlie had finished
but going on steadily with her work, she said
slowly, 81 have little boy. He is my own.
He was given to me by my Heavenly Father.
L do everything for him. 1 make his clothes,
and prepare the food he eats. | teach him
his lessons, and nurse him tenderly when he
is sick. Many night have L sat up to watch
by his side when fever was burning him, and
daily pray to God for every blessing upon
him. | love him. l call him my dear little
son. He sits on my lap, and goes to sleep
with his head on my arm. l think have the
'best right in the world to expect this little
boy to obey me; and yet he does not, unless
make him, as L would make dog"
ssOh, mother 20 cried Charlie, tears starting
to his eyes, ssI knew it was wrong to disobey
you; but never thought before how mean it
was. Indeed 1 do love you, and I'll try
really will try-to mind You as well as Jack
minds me,''
s.Dear charly," said his mother. athere is a
great difference between you and Jack. You
have soul. You know what is right, be-
cause you have been taught from the word of
God and you know, too, that the devil and
your wicked heart will always be persuading
YOU to do wrong. That is a trouble which
Jack cannot have /; but neither has he the COM
fort you have; for you can pray to our dear
Saviour for help, and he will teach you to
love and obey him alone. When you learn to
do this you will not find it difficult to be obe-
dient to me for it will be just the same as o.
beying God, who has said Honor thy faith
er and thy mother; and where we truly lore it
is easy to obey.''