American citizen. [volume] (Butler, Butler County, Pa.) 1863-1872, 1867-03-06
.gelrrt Misfellanp.
A Boys Trial,
BY AMY RANDOLPH.

the road, with two or three Sy camore trees
strewing yellow leaves upon its roof, and
a cluster Of gaunt lilac bushes at the
south end-even the golden crucible Of
the early December sunshine could not
tIansmute it into apght but desolate and
fororn looking spot.
"Alothcr," said little Harry Morton, as
he set down the pail of water he had just
brought up from the brimming spring in
the woods, "dun't you wish we lived in a
big red house like MIR. Oxley' with white
stone steps, and ever so many acres Of
land Z"
And wagon and horses 2" added
Charley a stout urcEin of seven.
Mrs Morton sighed softly, she too had
been wishing" but her aspirations had
taken different shape from that of her
two little boys
care you tired, mothel,' questioned
Harry.
"a little, my so,."
"Is that pile OF goats most done ?"
81 shall finish them by dark, hope" )"
Harry stood silently watching his mo-
Tiers flying needle for a moment or two.
Mother, | wish could sew"
you are helpful enough, Harry; |
could not get along without your assists
qnce around the house."
But | wish ] could earn money to
help you, mother. Tom Murphy has a
shilling week for helping Deacon Smith.
| wa, there aud asked him if couldn't
get something to do, but he said | was
TOO little.
Mrs Morton SMILED.
"'All IN good time, my son. / shall
be very gaa when you arc able to earn
something, but until then, we must wall
patient y"
"And eat potatoes and bread for din
nor and burn dead sticks in the stove.
said Harry, with little grimace. There
comes Mr., Oxley's big wagon-I'll run
out and open the gate for him"
40 the big wagon filed with rosy-red
and gold streaked apples rumbled through,
Farmer Oxley dropped his whip, Harry
ran to pick it up, and something in the
old mans good humorsd face, as he said,
Thank you, my boy" encouraged him
to ask, in tremulous voice:
IF you please, sir, do you kaew of
anything | could do?"
Dor echoed the farmer. "What on
earth docs the boy mean ?'
"ro earn little money, siE, explain,
ed Harry.
Farmer Oxley hesitated. Not half an
hour ago, when his buxom helpmate had
proposed sending abasket of 'gillifowers'
to the people at the gate, he lad mega
tived the idea, saying, he did not believe
there was any good in the lot-gipsey
ne do>wells, and nothing better But
now, Harry's bright eyes somehow ap-
pealed to his better nature.
'What do you want money for, boy?"
growled tie farmer, trying to look stern.
Harry glanced down at his lite red,
frost>bitten toes, as if he thought the
question rather superfuous.
"To buy some shoes, sir, and We havn't
had any meat in the house for month,
sir"
Farmer Ozley whistled, and snapped
the lash of his whip.
"Look here, boy I'm going to Ledge
pori to sell these apples, and maybe
might make you useful in holding the
horses, or measuring out. If you've Q
mind to earn ashilling, come along. But
he added, as Harry scrambled up with
alacrity, shilling won't buy shoes"
i t'No, sir. know it won't" said Harry
but | could lay it up, and perhaps get I
little more some day."
"Well said," chuckled the farmer, 81
guess you'll do, young man..
Harry wondered what Mr. Oxley mean
but he did not vepture to ask, and sa
quietly by the farher's side, while tha
individual took silent note of the boy
bright black curls and big dark eyes, an,
neatly mended garments.
"a good eace," thought the farmer
81 suppose they must be very poor.
wish l had let Rebecca send down thos
apples Perhaps, if he turns out to b
good for anything about helping, ma
give him something to do around til
barn"
! 1t was hard day work, but Harr
cared little for that, with the twelv
cents cleaning at the end of the Ion
perspective.
! well, my boy, / see you are nj
afraid Of work, was farmer 0xley's con
; ment, as with empty wagon, he turne
h,a horeas haadc toxvor1. Ia,,ao met .