Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1870-08-19
Stlttt storp.
THE WIDOWS son.

Come, Susan. do not take on so /; you
must submit, woman you must submit.
Il know that" said Susan to her visit
or, Il know that; but it is main hard. "
And the new made widow wrung her
hands, and wept in the extremity OF grief.
Just then gentleman entered the cot
tage.
I'm glad you're come. sir. for Susan's
in sad way; mayhap YOU can make her
hear reason"
"She musthave time. poor woman; she
must have time. Don't bother her, Betty ;
let her weep; it will do her good"
So saying, the gentleman, who was
Mr.. Fenton, the master ol the free gram
mar-school, sat down, took the widows
only child, a boy of about four years. be-
tween his knees. and began to talk to the
visitor on Indifferent topics.
By degrees the paroxysm of the poor
woman's grieI subsidized; though she still
wept, her tears fell calmly, and she was
able TO look about her. and TO pay atten.
ton to the conversation o those who
were around
Mr.. Fenton, though he appeared TO
take no notice, had observed her from
time TO time, quietly waiting until she
would be in 4 state TO hear reason, as
her friend Betty termed ii, before he ad-
dressed her; and when he did so, to
Betty's great surprise, it was 10 talk hope
fully of the future, not 10 lament over
the past. .
What Il fine boy Tommy is grown, "
said he. stroking the boys head; chow
old is he now ?"
IL am five years old" said Tommy
quite maniully.
Five years! why. You are growing
quite a man. What do you mean to do
with him, Susan? 2"
IL know not, sir; he's owre young yet
for aught. He's good child, but SOL C
burden for lone woman to have 10
keep
A sore burden, not at all. if you train
him up well. and make him well. He
might do something now"
mo. no; he's owre young yet for
aught but play
My good woman, the plays children
find for themselves are far harder and
more toilsome than any work would put
him to- The habit, the early habit of in
dustry and usefulness, is what you must
try to give your child and that habit
alone is the best fortune he can have
But, as said. he is not too young even
now to achieve something useful. as well
as to gain habit of industry. He can
pick up stones, warrant"
"Yes, to he sure" said the widow.
"Yes, and I'll be bound he could weed
out the groundsel and chickweed in a
garden bed. if he were kindly and plain
ly shown which they are"
ayes, he's sharp boy, and minds
what's said to him."
"Sharp and attentive, and five years
old oh, never tell me he can do nothing.
| hear you begin your charring again on
Monday. and Mrs. F. SAYS, that now the
scoofs so iul she can find you almost con-
stan employment at our house Now,
Susan, listen to me. Bring your boy
with you; have small paddock want
cleared of stone; | have some rough but
very easy and light work in my garden.
l will take care that the child is properly
set again. Thus he will be out of h.rm's
way he will be acquirin a habit Of in
dustry, besides learning his letters; and
he will be even earning trife towards
his own support. You will mind what
say"
II will, sir, and offer many Inany
thanks"
The good effect Of this judicious kind
ness on the poor woman was immed iate
for the remainder of the funeral vreek,
instead of being passed in vain tears and
lamentations was busily occupied in