The Potter journal. [volume] (Coudersport, Pa.) 1857-1872, 1863-01-28
A Stcry for Boys.

ullUS w nlIe 10 MS mOtneT, IN coul-
planning tone, as his father had refused
him permission to sail on the mill pond.
"Your father knows what is best for
you," said Mrs. White.
II have heard that said a great many
times, but don't see why can't do as
| wish to sometimes. John Marsh's faith
er likes to see his children enjoying them
selves"
"My son, you need say nothing more
to me until you are in more amiable
state of mind"
Julius felt the reproof, and began to re-
view what he had said. He saw that he
had in reality, though not In words, charg-
ed his mother with saying what was not
true, and his father with being Indifferent
to his happiness, His reply to his moth
er'n assertion that his father knew what
was best for him, implied Il want of belief
in her assertion. In his remark that
John Marsh's father liked to see his chill
dren enjoy themselves, he implied that
his own fatber did not like the same. BE
ielt somewhat ashamed Of what he had
done, but did not so to his mother and
confess his fault and ask her forgiveness.
Had he done so be would have added to
her happiness aud to his own.
A few days afterwards Julius saw a
nunber of boys playing at the saw mill.
He wished to join them very much; bat
he had never been allowed to GO there
without the permission Of his father-or
rather he had never been allowed to go
there except in company with his father
or his older brother. He felt sorely
tempted TO 60 without permission. lie
said to himself, "Father is not at home !;
cant ask leave to go; if | go, l don: go
In disobedience to his orders " But this
reasoning did not quite satisfy him -
True, his father had not said IN 30 many
words, ''You must never 60 without my
permission )" but he we'll knew that it was
not his fathers wish that he should go,
and he well knew that if his father was
at home be would not permit him to 60
lie tried to invent somo excuse by which
be might justify his joining the boys,
whose joyous shouts increased his desires
to join them. He thought he would go
aud beg his mother to let him 90 for a
few moments; but he knew that she
would not act in a manner opposed TO
the known wishes and judgment of her
husband.
He climbed upon the fence so that he
could have fair view Of the boys in their
sports. This was unwise. 1t was expos
ing himself 10 temptation He would
have acted wisel ly if he had retired out Of
81 ght and hearing of the boys.
After while the boys constructed a
raft, and pushed out upon the pond. Ju-
illus got down from the fence. 1t seemed
as though his legs would take him to the
pond whether he would or not. TIE sight
Of his mother at the window led Tim to
resume his position on the fence
He watched the boys until they had
sailed to the upper end of the pond,
where they landed for some purpose. A
new thought occurred. His father had
never forbidden him from going to the
upper end of the pend. He knew be
must net go to the saw mill but there
was no reason why he might not go to the
upper end of the pond. There could not
possibly be any harm in that. So he set
out at the top of his speed. When he
reached them he was almost exhausted By
his violent exertion.
"Como to have a sail down the pond?"
said one.
"No; I came to bee you sail"
"You have just q $me in tnle; We want
ono more to balance the raft and hold it
together"
After some objection on julius part,
he got on the raft and sailed down to the
mill. He persuaded himself that it was
a work of necessity, and though it brought
him to the mill, he was not to blame. -
When lie was there he might as well play
with the boys.
The mill was not in operation. To
prevent the water fsom flowing over the
lam, the sluice- gate had been raised
little. This kept the pond from filing. /
81 say, boys" said one, 'let US shut
lown this gate and have the pond full"
Some Of the boys objected, bat others
iaid that it would do no harm, and one
aid he knew the mill.owner well, and
would bear all the blame.
They shut down the gate, and the wa
er began to rise, but SO slowly as scarce
y to be perceptible.
"Let US take sail up to the top of the
bono" +" said one, "and by the time We re-
urn the pond will be full"
They did SO. They remained at the
read of the pond for some time gathering
ONE nuts which they found On tree
here.
When they came down to the dam. the