Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1865-11-28
A NOBLE BOY.

Mrs. Symms was widow, and poor. But
poverty could not crush her; for she teltth
the Owner of al things was her father, and
he would withhold nc real good.
1t took more than needle, and twist, and
wax to degrade her in her own estimation
for she knew that she was fulfilling, 50 far
as in her lay, her calling, as under the
eye of her Master, and that a queen could
do no more. 1t was the one desire of her
heart to raise up her son to be good and
useful man; and to this end she tOiled-
"stitch, stitch, stitch, often far into the
night to buy his books and to keep him at
school. 4n return, Ned did most of the sim
pie domestic work and for this act of flial
love, more than for nnything else, he was
made a sport and bywOrd. His mother,
however, encouraged him to bear noblY all
this, 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 love those
who hate and despise you. You have Gods
promise to the fatherlesS, my son; and that
is worth more than all their fathers riches.
Bow yourself before the storm and it will
not harm you."
One day as Ned was walking to school
three of th!e boys approached; when one
called out
HallOo! Ned Symms, run up to our sta
BILE and tell Patrick to saddle Flash, and
bring hsm to the schoel-house ut O'clock"
Z" | would oblige you, SAM" he replied;
"lt L could without being late; but you see
there are hut seven minutes before the bell
rings"
"You miserable, disobliging fellow !" cried
Sam Lent, 'what if you are late? This
master don't whip"
b" But he expects US to be faithful" re-
piled Ned.
g Faithfulr shouted Sam, in an angry
tone. "Come, go; want to race round the
pond with Bill Hunt here. He says his
Clipper will outrun my Flash, and bets his
gold pencil on it. Go, and I'll give you a
sixPence; for don't want to climb the hill"
'' l cannot" said Ned, resoutely; and pass
ing on, he heard Sam cry, "why not go for
a sixpenceH That would save your mamma
au hours stitching"
Ned felt his ears and cheeks 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 close upon his heels.
"Good afternoon, Betsy" cried Bill Hunt
I" I caught you last night taking clothes off
the lines, didn't l p
"Now shouted Ned. "You did not catch
me, tor 1 did not run. looked straight in
your face as you rode past, TO let you see
that Iwas not ashamed to help my mother"
-H Ny lord is brave indeed I, cried Sam
Lent 80 Are You going to non the eiothes9's
Yes, cried Ned, turning and facing them
" it mother wishes me to doso. have iron
ed clothes, and washed dishes, too; and
exuect to do both aga;n!"
q He gets dismissed sometimes TO hang the
teakettle on" said Bill Hunt, winking to his
comrades: but the bell now rung, and Sam
Lent had only time to say, " I'll pay you for
your impudence to me, you beggar."
This was almost too much for the brave
boy, but he bore it meekly and like Chris
tian. Years rolled on; these boys became
men. Ned was blessed and prospered He
was honored and wealthy, and able to provide
Q comfortable home for hi: dearly loved mo-
ther in her old age. The time game when
Sam Lent and Bill Hunt, who had sguan-
dered the property their fathers left them.
were glad to receive tavoFs from the iDan
whom in boyhood they had SO badly treated.
God has honored Ned because he returned
good for evil; and he has proved in his ex-
perience the truth of that proverb of Solo
mon, " He that rulcth his own spirit is great
er than he that taketh city," and he has
received the blessing promised to those who
honor father and mother.