Bedford inquirer. [volume] (Bedford, Pa.) 1857-1884, 1865-06-02
Vol 50: No %
4liarellaaeplls.
A NOBLE BOY.

Ars. s>lmms was a widow, and poor. But
poverty could not crush her, for she felt
that the owner of all things was her Father.
and he would withhold no real good. .1'
1t took more than needle, and twist, and
wax to degrade her in her own esteem for
she knew that she was fulfilling, as far as in
her lay, her calling, as under the eye of her
Master, and chat queen could do no more
lt was the one desire of her heart to rear up
her son to be- good and useful man; and to
this end she toiled-s stitch, stitch, stitch =
often far into the night to buy his books and
to keep him at school In return, Ned did
most OF the simple domestic work and for
this act OF flial love, more than for anything
else, ne was made a by7wprd. His mother,
however encouraged him to bear nobly all
tins, saying We must either bend or break
under our trials, my boy; this may be the
very thing to make man Of you--teaching
you to control your spirit, and to leye those
who hate and despise you, You have God s
promise to the fatherless, my son, and that
is worth more than all their fathers riches.
Bow yourself before the storm, and it viii
not harm you.lg., ,i. b
One day as Ned was walking to school,
three OF these boys approached when one
called out, Halo, Ned Sinms,. run up to
our stable and tell Patrick to saddle Flash,
and bring hm to the school house at four
O'Clock. ~, ,- -..s,...
Il would oblige you SAM he replied, If
] could without being late but you see
there is but seven minutes before the. bell
rings. IS sat W voy,.,s 3sef
(. q You miserable, disobiging fellowl' cried
Sam Lent what it you are late This mas
ter don't whip -" f1'e Y Z thgs ~.
But he expects us TO be faithful, replied
Ned .os l51es. g1i.aa +.
Faithful. shouted Sam. in an angry
tone, Come, GO; want to race round the
pond with Bill Hunt here. He says his
Clipper wiH oat-run my Flash, and bets his.
gold pencil on it. Go, and L Il give you six
pence; for ! dom wan t to climb the hill.
| cannot, said Ned resolutely and pass
ing on, he heard Sam cry, Why, not go for
sixpence ? That would save yourmammy an
hour stitching. 5
Ned felt his ears and checks grow very
warm at these words but he set his teeth
closely together to keep the unruly member
still, lest he might sin against God; and en-
tered the yard, the boys followed close upon
his heels.
'Good-afternoon, Betsy cried Bill Hunt;
! caught you last night taking clothes off
the lines, didn't I?' +
MOI shouted Ned. You did not catch
me for didn't run. | looked straight In
your face as you rode past, to let you see
that | was not ashamed to help my moth
er.
My lord is brave indeedi' cried Sam
Lent. Are you going to iron the clothes?
Yes, cried Ned, turning and facing them,
If mother wishes me to do so. | have
ironed clothes, and washed dishes too and
| expect to do both again
He gets dismissed sometimes to hang the
teakettle on, SAID Bill Hunt, Hinklng at hls
comrades; but the bell now rang, and Sam
Lent had only time to say, IN pay you for
your impudence to me, you beggar boy.
This last was almost too much for the
brave boy, but he bore it meekly. and ike
Christian. Years rolled on. These boys
became men. Ned was blessed and prosper
ed He was honored and wealthy, and able
to provide comfortable home for his dear
ly-loved mother In her old age. The time
came when Sam Lent, and Bill Hunt, who
had squandered the property their fathers
left them, were glad to receive faVors from
the man whom in boyhood they had so bad
ly treated God has honored Ned because
he returned good for evil and he has prov
ed In his experience the truth of that pro-
verb of Solomon, He that ruleth his own
spirit is greater than he that taketh city,
and he has received the blessing promised to
those who honor father and mother