Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1863-03-11
A STORY FOR TIE LITTLE FOLKS.
Willie Irving's Troubles.

Willie Irving's Troubles.
School was out, and Nettie Irving stood
at the window watching for her brother W lille,
wbo vas unusually late, and as she caught a
glimpse of him on the opposite side OF the
street she ran quickly TO open the door. Jns'
In time to see him shake his fist threateningiy
at a boy sbont his own size, and hear him say
s.I'ii give it 10 you Tomorrow, mister, see
1! don't -
"What Is that. Willie ~ asked Nettie, al
he came up the steps, his face I'll very from
tispiece for a volume of misfortune.
who is speaking to you, shonid like to
know % he replied roughly, as he brushed
past her and entered the parior.
Neitie's face clouded, aud the tears came
into her soft, blue eyes, for she loved her
brother very dearly. He was sitting moodiiy
In the parlor when she entered, and he looked
90 cross and unnatural Nettie dare not speak
to him, but passed on to the open piano, where
she mad been practising. and sat down.
"Perhaps if | play him that pretty, new
song, he will feel BETTER" she thought.-''He lie
always likes to have me play or sing to him
when he comes homo from SCHOOL, so she
run her nimble fingers along the keys in the
soft, sweet prelude, and was just ready to join
her voice with the charming accompaniment,
when w lille spoke out sharply
81 wish you would stop that tormented
drumming. Nobody asked you to play"
ed around upon her stool and sat motionless.a
moment. then moved noiselessly across the
room, and Willie heard her soft footsteps on
the stairs and along the upper passage, and
wheu she opened the door OF her own room, a
quick sob, as if she had held her feelings in
check as long as possible.
"Well. I've done it to-day, guess half the
boys in school are mad with me, and now
have almost taken Nettie's head off. o dear,
thst Is what all my good resolutions go to.''
Why, has my little boy got home ~ said
Mrs. Irving opening the dooI at that moment
Il have been down town, and came up by
your school house on purpose to walk home
with you, but thought your school was not
out so made call on my way home.'
"Yes, it was out, hut was kept"
why, Willie, how did that happen Did
ycu not have your lessons perfectly ?''
mo, and was tardy besides.''
You LETT home in season. did you not
Willie did not answer, but kept working b is
feet under the hearth rug, and looking down
al them steadily.
what is the trouble, Willie 7 You look
as if you had no friends in the world.''
81 haven't as know Of"
s'Willie "a
81 suppose you are,'' he said apologeticaily,
''tut guess YOU are the only one. Everybody
put out with me but you and father.'
What has happened TO make you feel so
uretchod my child -
Well, you See, mother, it is just this. Last
night, before went to sleep, went to think
irg over the things had done through the
day ought not, and thinks |, now tomorrow
| viii try very hard not to do one thing shall
D" sorry for; but when got up this morning
forgot all about it, and never once thought
hi | cane in from school. My resolutions
cont amount to much any way
What have y on done 10 day that you regret.'
From beginning to end | have gone wrong.
so'ae how, things did not go right all the
morning az school. ! missed two or three
Mes; the teacher wss cross TO me. But the
orst came this afternoon. Just after started
J.. school the fire bells rang and pretty soon
80 ot the boys came running along, and call
~ Come on, Will, we are going to the fire !;
l'"Hty OF tine before school;' and | did not
H'iHi what you had told me, never to go to a
LTt unless some older person was with me, but
followed on as fast as | could. 1t was away
-""n TO the North End, ever SO far, and after
al there wasn't anything to be seen but a
:.''ie black smoke and ever so many people.
She" it Was past school time, and l kept
e'4xlng the boys to go, but they woulDd't tor
ioDg time; and as soon as they started
ley began 10 plague me because was such
,cuecrow about everything. George Lowell
'ah; We'll, you missed to day, and, I'm glad
o. 1t, amt you, boysP They all said, sYes.' ,
= hree cheers for 7 od Irving!' When got to
scaool, couldn't study bit, the letters all
-" together so of course | could not say
e''ily any of my lessons the teacher pun
|led us all, and we had to stay and recite
..e- school; but the minute We go. out,
>se9Tge Lowell set the boys all on again, and
beg called me names and every thing. / wish
'ecrge Loyel was dead and buried. I'll give
g,n something to-morrsw he won't forget,
III bet''
''is this Willie Irving. or some wicked fai-
= come in the shape of my usually gentle
t0yl'
Why it is me mother, and not exactly me
e.fer; but want you TO promise me that
seedn't go TO school any more. 1t is a great
uesi easier to be good whenI am at home
with You. You can dt me for college, can't
yOuP'
Perhaps can, so far as book know ledge
concerned; but i'll keep you here with me,
aGa do not let you get toughened by contact
'th the world, you will not be fitted to en-
counter tbs temptations you will find there"
u will risk il. When get big enough to
80 10 college shall not have any trouble.,'
"fou think you will obey the command
|'sn" when yoa ses thsrs, do you 2"