Delaware gazette. [volume] (Delaware, Ohio) 1855-1886, 1862-12-26
DELAWARE oHIo, DECEMBER 2e, lee2.

regard to her child. But for this she would
not have felt so keenly the reproach which
:. ohnny had been called to bear on Der account
nor so firmly resolved that it should never bs
again spoken with a shadow of truth to give
1T venom.
You can go down in the yard, Johnny, but
not into the street" she replied:
4 want to go into the street, mamma
o'aut go ?" urged the child.
Wouldn't you rather help mammal" asked
Mrs Clark, forcing herself to speak iu pleas
ant way, though she felt anxious and disturb
ed
YES" ANSWERED the boy quickly.
"I'hen, as I have work you know" said the
mother, Il want you to help me, by holding
The e1'a Of this pillow case us I sew the scam.
Take held just there and keep it out eyen.'
PicR ~ at the thought Of helping his moth
er. Johnny took hold Of The pieeo of muslin,
and ply her side for nearly half an hour,
- r ZS-e = 80 directed while she. to
LseP him interested, talked Is him cheerfully,
aud even told him little stories. Surprised at
the ease with which she had, thus far, been a.
b e to hold the attention Of her child, Mrs
Ularks thoughts began to reach out in the
same direction, and she saw many ways BY
which he might be kept from the street. Az
ter the pillow case was made, she had skein
Of thread to wind of, and Johnny was well
pleased to aid his mother by holding the skein
for her. Then it came into her mind that it
would be very easy thing for her to teach
him his letters, aHd thsn to spell and to read,
while she sat sewing. So, to begin at once,
she took from shelf card on which an al
phabet was printed in large letters, and pro-
posed to give Johnny a lesson. Nothing could
have pleased him better and, for nearly an
hour, he went over and over the sounds, re-
peating them after his mother, until be knew
many Of the letters at sight. Pleased at his
earnestness and attention, Mrs. Clark praised
JohanJ at every step Of his progress, and sug
gested SO many great achievements Of learning
in the future, that he was actually fred with
child's ambition to become scholar. He did
not ask to go into the street again that day.
When Mrs Clark lay down that night, her
boy asleep beside her, it was with calmerS
clearer mind than she had possessed for long
while. She saw, as q mother only one right
way before her-the way of honest industry,
hard as the way might be-and she was rOsolv-
ed to walk therein, patiently, hopefully, though
faint and weary at times, right to the end.
A few days after the little scene at Mrs.
Oldield's, Mrs. Clark called again upon the
lady who had given her kindly spoken admoni-
ton instead of aims. This time she had her
little boy with her, for she had resolved never
again to leave him exposed to the evil influences
that surrounded them. Mr.. Oldfeld was pres
ent as before.
81 will take that work now, if you please,
ma'am," said the poor woman.
$50 you have thought well of my shgges-
tions." said Mrs. Oldfeld.
"Oh! yes, indeed, maam," replied Mrs.
Clark, with an earnestness that was not to be
mistaken. This is my little boy and thank
yau in his name"
Johnny was handsome, bright-eyed little
fellow. Mr.. Oldfed held out his hand to him,
and the boy came forward, in a manly way,
giving his hand and answering, without bash
fulness, any questions that were asked.
A few minutcs' talk with Mrs Clark bro't
cut the whole story of what had occurred on
the day Of her previous visit.
"Was l right or wrong?" asked Mrs. Old
field after the woman had departed, with work
enough to employ her for a week.
Right, Of course" replied her husband
You're always right in these matters. But
cant be so cool and calculating. 1t isn't in
me-"
"Aud so, oftenor do harm than good in your
benevolent acts, am sorry to say" replied
Mrs. Oldfield. at isn't money help, you may
depend upon it, that poor people want, half as
much as to be shown how TO help themselves"