Holmes County farmer. [volume] (Millersburg, Ohio) 1857-1926, 1862-01-30
WHAT BECAME OF A POOR BoY,
TRUE NCIDE N I.
ny CAROLINE L. BLAKE.

walk after some stray cows, 81 must hlre
boy to do these chores +; what do you
saw to Peter Saundcrs?"
"Peter Saunders % calculated the good
woman, "why, what made you think OF
him? One Of that miserable family
would not answer your purpose at all i"
at is simply because he is miserable
that | wish to take Lin. / believe that
he has some natural ability, and if left
to grow up at home, he will be curse to
society. If our children were still young
and at home it would be dangerous ex-
pertinent because of evil example but as
they have already gone into the world for
themselves, believe it is our duty to try
Peter Saunders"
Mrs. Benton was silent. She wished
to examine the subject in all its bearings,
but in this case her husband was sure of
her final decision so taking up his bright
tin milk pals he truged Of to the barn
and left her to her reflections.
$50 dirty p solIoquised Mrs. Benton,
with some disgust, for she was pat
tern Of neatness, $50 i'll hammered, what
can the good man be thinking Of to take
such child?" All, Mrs. B, You have a
duty to perform in this case, and just as
soon as you view it in this light you will
hesitate no longer, even though the sac
rifce would cost you your life.
Father" said Mrs. Benton, as they
sat down to their comfortable evening
meal, 81 have been thinking Of what you
said about poor little Peter Saunders, and
! believe your are right, suppose you so
for him early next week"
1t was no hard work to obtain the con-
sent Of the idle, dissolutc parents, and
Peter returned with Mr.. Benton Toward
evening, the tired horse, with apparent
satisfaction, stopped by the door, and
Peter bounded out like young bear jus,
loosed from a cage.
Mrs. Benton met him at the door.
"Well, my boy, how are you? Trec
and hungry, suppose. Come along will
me-"
She showed him the way to her It'd
kitchen, where a substantial supper wa
ready for him, which was speedily dc
voured
"Now, Peter" said she, 81 will sho,
you to your. room"
The chamber was small but very neal
Upon chair by the bed side lay chang
of linen pure and white, and a suit c
farm clothes, whole and comfortable
"Look here Peter" and Mrs. b opene
the door OF large unfinished closet
"you see the tub of warm water, soa
and coarse towels? | want you to go i
there and wash yourself thoroughly, the
put on the clothes and come down stair
that / may see how you look"
When Peter made his appearance h
had underground complete transformation
He entered the chamber looking mucl
like Hottentot he came out white
rosy fairhailed boy.
Mrs. Benton expressed her satisfaction
at the change.
"Only one thing more Peter. / mus
cut and comb your hair. and after tha
you must use this nice new brush three
times day before you come to the table,
When MIR. Renton took down the Bibl
for family worship, Peter stared. 1t wa
evidently new phase in his life. Afte
prayer Mr.. Benton called him to his side
"Can you tell me, my child, who mad
you?"
ono !"
"Did you ever hear Of God?"
The child uttered fearful oath. !
was evident that it WAS the only way j
which he had heard the sacred name
When Peter retired for the night MI
Benton said:
"There, mother is little heather f,
you, brought up in Christian New Eni
land within the sound of the church bell
81 see it, father, and am afraid po
Peter is not the only instance of th
kind. We have much to do for hin
and we'll cndeavour to be faithful to Il
trust"
The neglected child found good HON
Mr. and Mrs Benton iabored assiluousl
to teach him to read and work, and
awaken his blnntcd moral sense. Aft
months of earnest effort it was discoura,
ing to alot him reasonable task, 9
away for time and returning, find
only half done. Peter was an eye SO
want, for he had not been taught the tex
"Thou, God secst me-" Sometimes h
friends were ready to despair but the
thought Of the long suffering kindness
'Hoii HcuNcHIy IIlcHl, uHu tOOk COUTup
They did not labor in vain. In the AT
tumn Mr.. Benton had severe illness
His affairs seemed dark indeed, for I'll
work was pressing, and he never had SUI
posed that Peter could be trusted wit
the slightest matter without supervision
Heiound he had been mistaken. Pete
was not ungratelul he was only ignoi
ant. He took hold of the work wit
strong hands and willing mind l.; an
Mr., Benton, on his recovery was astor
ished to find how little his business ha
suffered during his illness.
"lf We remain upon the farm anoth,
year." said Mr., Benton, Peter will |
invaluable to us"
But they did not. Reverse came. The
were obliged to remove, and gre
addition to their trouble was the fact tn
they could no longer keep Peter
lie left them, and the worthy coup
lost sight Of him for few years. III,
did not forget him, as years passed b,
and often in their humble abode, petito
arose that he might be guided in the rig
way, and preserved from evil.
"A few Sabbahs since, as Mr.. and Nj
Benton were entering tho vcstibulo of ,
church, they saw a handsome young m
in a neat uniform awaiting their approa,
AT first they did not recognize the rrote