Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1863-10-30
A BROKEN FLOWER THAT BLOOMED AGAIN.
A STORY OF A BRAVE BOY AND HIS SISTER

|
son and Harry Grant. The former @
these boys was nine, and the other elev
en- years Of age. Their condition in lif
was very different Harry Grant live
in beautiful cottage close by the villag
church, with pretty yard full of flower
stretching out before the door, and grea
garden lying behind it, under whose tree
the children played in summer, and il
which the little birds built their nests il
early spring. Johnny Wilson on tn
contrary, lived in an old dilapidated house
without any yard before it or any garden
behind it; with only a little patch o
ground, surrounded by a struggling fence
in which only now and then a timid LITTLE
flower peeped out in summer from thir
grass, as if ashamed, from so de5olate &
place, to look into the bright face of God.
beautiful days.
Harry Grants father was clergyman
and he bad one brother two years young.
er than himself. Johnny Wilson's father
was shoemaker by trade. A little sign
over the door told the passers by that
within they could have "boots and shoes
made and repaired" But the sign-b board
was deceptive; for Thomas WilSon-the
people in the village generally called him
"Tom"-was an idle, lazy man; he cared
more for lounging at the tavern and
with the bar room loafer5 than
for work, and 50 it happened that he was
very seldom found al home when the vii
layers called 10 have him perform their
,jobs." Tom Wilson had three children
in all; johnny, was the oldest; Mary,
who was two years younger; and Robby,
who was yet little baby, only one year
Did, with the light of heaven still in his
Eyes. To all OF these hunger was a ia
niliar guest, and few were the days of
unshine in their lives. Yet while these
wo boys lived very differently, they were
lot so very different in character. If
lnythng, johnny Wilson was the man
ier OF the two He had so much trouble
o encounter that he grew strong in re.
istiug it il; and he saw SO much 10 his fa-
hers life that he knew to be wrong, and
0 much suffering in his home, that he
earned to hate sin, and to speak out
gainst it without any fear whatever,
Johnny was helped very much in lear
ing 10 DO right by his mother, who was
true Christian woman, and taught her
hildren to avoid everything that was
srong. Every night and morning, in
heir little garret room she would hear
hem say their prayers, sometimes telling
hem pleasant story about Jesus, and
is love for little children; and she new
r failed to correct, kindly but decidedly,
nyIhing that was wrong in their conduct
'ometimes Johnny would forget, as little
oys are apt to do, the lessons his moth |
r learned him, and on such occasions she |
as sure to show him his error, and |
lake him anxious to do better in future. |
o johnny, with such guide and helper,
rev up to be pleasant, kind, and no.
lie boy, whom every body loved, but none
} much as his little sister Mary.
But Johnny was not without his trou
les. Very often he had his principles
ut to severe trials.
One day bis father, who had been wan
ering irritably about the house for some
ours, commanded Johnny to take the
g and go to the tavern for quart of
quor.
Il cannot go, papa said Johnny l am
edged neverto taste or handle anything
at makes drunk
Wont 90, eh ? angrily exclaimed the
ther. Take that jug, sir, and march
raight along, or you'll rue it sorely.'
Johnny was used to such threats, so he
lly repeated:
Il can't go, papa
Tom Wilson did not stop any longer
argue the case. Seizing the brave
tie Johnny, he beat him savagely about
6 head until he was out of breath, and
en-, raising his foot, kicked him into the
rner of the room, where he lay bruised (
ID bleeding, while the inhuman father. :
atching the jug, hurried off to the tav-
n.
Johnny's mother lifted him from the j
OF, and carried him to the bed, where
e kindly bathed his bruised face. |
loothed down his rumpled hair, and, t
th soft words, soothed his sobbing heart.
lille little Mary, her eyes full of tears, !
'od by, holding one of Johnny's hands {
hers. I
Don't cry said the mother; father '
not know what he was doing. He
uld not do so il it wasn't for the naugh> $
I;,.os