The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1865-04-07
Nd FAITHFUL AND VALIANT FOR
BIDDEFoRD, ME, FRIDAY MORNING,
jus. week from to-day, remember, atsquire


Mayo's.
There was a merry twinkle in Mrs. Lanes
eyes that night, Us she superintended prepa-
rations for supper, which everand anon deep
ened into q smile; but though the children
were anxious to know "what mother was
smiling about" she kept her own counsel.
The next Wednesday afternoon a score or
moro Of ladies were seated in Squire Mayo's
p,rlor with busy fingers, and still more busy
tongues. ....
"There is Mrs Lane coming up the walk" !"
exclaimed Mrs. Mayo. who was seated by the
window. "Just see what u wretched.look-
ing boy she is leading by the hand! II cant
be one Of her children, for they are models Of
neatness."
Mrs. Shaw was too busy distributing work
to even glance out of the window. -.
81 forgo. to tell you, ladies'" she said,
"that my sistcr.in-law joins our society this
afternoon. The boy with her is no doubt
the one she spoke to me about the other day
US fit subject for our charity"
IL take considerable credit to myself" she
added. complacently, "for pcrsuadng her to
this step, Sister Lane is such home body
wrapped up in herself and family"
"Mrs Lane is kind.hcarted woman" re-
piled an old lady, who was knitting in one
corner of the room; "and does great deal
of good in quiet way" .
.iSister Lane means well. there is no doubt
orthat," responded Mrs Shaw, with q mag
unanimous air. "But. according to my way
of thinking, charity without system and or.
ganization is worse than thrown away"
By this time Mrs. Lanc was in the room.
"Ycu see, sister Shaw, that kept my
word, and did not come alone" she added,
as that individual fixed her eyes in undis.
gused as,onishment upon the boy, whose re-
luctant hand she held. .-
~ found this poor lad. she continued,
"in an alley way. playing marbles with u
number Of fprofane and vicious sboys, and who
were uttering words in his hearing that
shudder to think of. The black eye he has
got in fight with one of them in which it
seems he had the worst of it. He is very
dirty and ragged, as you see but offer no
apology tor bringing him to you in this con.
dition, as know your society was formed for
the benefit Of such, and trust, that under
your kindly care. he will soon present quite
another appearance.
Twice did Mrs. Shaw essay to interrupt
the speaker, but anger and shame choked her
utterance. When she had concluded, she
sprang to her feet.
"Malinda Lane" she calculated. edo you
mean to pretend that you don't know that
that is my boy" ..
"Your boy :" exclaimed Mrs. Lane, start
ing with well dissernbled amazement. "ls it
possible?" Now that look at him closer,
Il does look like Johnny. But who would
have thought it! leave it to you" she
added. addressing the other ladies, 'it the
mistake was not u very natural one, or IL ev-
er child, apparently, stood more in need Of
your friendly Offices" d
This assertion could not be denied by any
present, certainly not by Mrs. Shaw, who
was completely silenced, though she looked
unutterable things. .......
Not long after she could have been seen,
with poor, luckless Johnny "in tow, taxi
ing u roundabout course in the direction for
hone, for unlike her sister in law, when she
escorted him thither, she went by the dark
est and least -lreQuented streets.
This sharp but much.needed lesson had q
happy result, as was evident by not only
Johnny's improved appearance, but by the
increased comfort Of the whole family Mrs.
Shaw learned, what is to be feared that too
many forget, that no Object however praise
worthy, can excuse the wife and mother in
the neclec. of home duties. That, as there
lies her truest happiness, so are there found
the dearest objects of her care, who have the
first claim upon her time and affections.