National opinion. [volume] (Bradford, Vt.) 1865-1874, 1867-07-19
"Mother," said he, with a bitter.
less he hated himself for afterwards.

Z
His mothers eyes clouded, but
she answered him very gently. She
felt that tonight, for some reason,
he was not responsible for himself.
"l've had trouble that went deep
enough, John. Five children that
have played round my knees sleep
yonder, behind the old meeting house
and to bear, and nurse, and then
lOSe--there's none knows what that
Is but Just them that's borne it, and
God that made mothers with moth
er'S hearts. Yes I've had troubles
that creature comforts wouldn't
help much and yet | don't despisc
this worlds good things. You
haven't any graves, where YOU feel
as if your heart was shut in and
smothered, and for bein' tired and
mopn' | do think there's virtue i'll a
good cup o tea"
Her patience and gentlenesS touch
ed him. He drew up his chair to
the table, where his father was al
ready sitting, and answered her in
softer tone.
II S'pose your right, mother but
I'm not just myself tonight
Then he ate his supper III silence,
and after it was over sat for a few
moments thinking. still silently. At
last he took courage and opened the
subject of which his mind was full.
"Father, James Mccormick is
wanting a place. Don't You think,
with YOU to oversee him. he could
do the work on the farm this sum
me p
Mrs. OSgood did not speak, but
the cup she was wiping fell to the
floor with sharp crash. Fora full
minute it was the only sound which
broke the stiffness. At last the old
man answered.
IL don't know, John-may be he
could. | never liked to have any
strangers working Oh the old place
in my time. | did it all myself TIL
You was old enough to help me, and
everything has prospercd under
your hands, John. Still, may be
James Mccormick could may be
he could. Did YOU think of leaving,
John -
III don't feel satisfied, father, to
I've a farmer in this small way. |
want to do something more with
my life. You could hire man to do
Ill the work for twenty dollars a
month, and | want to see what I'm
worth somewhere else"
/ Then there was another long 81.
. leuce. The mother finished wash
tHg up her dishes, and came and sat
down between Ler son and her hus-
band. her face very white. and her
hand shaking a little. After a
while the old man reached out and
took one of the trembling hands
into his own.
I'VE mustn't blame john, moth
en-" he said trying to speak cheer
fully. "What he feels isn't unatu-
raj. Other young men say the
same Very few of them are con
tented nova days to live their faith
crS' lives over again. Only. its
come sudden. Don't think W c
blame you. boy. Its all fair and
rght-0n,y sudden
John got up and went up stairs
His mothers pale silence, his faith
er'S attempt at chcertllncSS, SCENE,
more than he could bear. He wen
away to his own room and sat dow
10y the window. over across IT,
fields a light burned steadily. H'
knew it was the lamp in Angelina
, Wilmarth's parlor. Was she wortl
, all this that he was maGiig ties'
two Old people suffer ? Would sh'
ever love him as they did f.! Was h,
sure that she would ever love hin
at all And in this untrlcd life
/ this great world where so man.
| failed, how did he know that h
4, should succeed What was he &C
| ing to do ? How vague all his pun
| poses were--just dream, born Of
soft spring night and Angie Wi
f marth's fair face And for II il
@ was going to ovettun the who|
q fabric of his life. No, he would ne
q bc so mad This summer, ut lcas
n all should go on as before. He wo'
II take time to consider. BY autumn
II he should know better what he coul
do, and whether he coula bear {
@ leave that old father and mother
(. five of whose treasures the churc
" yard held, and whose all he was
e quite alone. He began to thin
d that this very fact that he was the
X. all, laid on Inn ah obligation II
n. to be cvaded-that no success pl
il chased at such selfish eXpenditu
n. would be worth having. At al
m rate he would wait. And so slc
y. came to him, and the morning br
- him strength and calmness, a
er seemed to give him back his old $
he again.
x "Will YOU see James McCormi
EN- to day N his father asked, ut bre'
er fast, with an anxiety he strovc
". conceal. John smiled cheertully.
M "Not to-day, father not at pr
'rs cnt. My plan was sudden, ny y
said--too sudden to be wise. | ha
cd given IL up, for n time at least.
will carry on the place n while lol
lie. err
dy The old mans face cleared, but
ut. did not speak---only John Osgoo
mothcr>got up and silently kis'
,at him. No young lips could have IN
,ns more fond--eould any he more dei
at Two weeks after that news ca