South Branch intelligencer. [volume] (Romney, Va. [W. Va.]) 1830-1896, 1871-09-15
Give Your Boys an Education,
4 TRUE STORY.
BY ELEANOR KIRK.

, look at Nun auu Auut Oarah turned 90
the oven she was heating, for the usual
Saturdays baking, and poked the burning
sticks right and left, as if unable, any long
err, to repress her disappointment aud vex-
alton. This little episode occurred several
years ago, but the circumstances which de-
veloped afierward, served to Impress it up
on my mind with exceptional force and dis
tinctness.
This farm, at Darlington, was one of the
most beautiful places in the whole coun.
try, and Uncle John was one of the thrift
est farmers to be found in the State. 1t was
the fashion then for the wives and children of
such tiller5 of the soil, to attend to their own
households, generally, with very little out
side help; and think am safe in assert
ing that Aunt Sarah could accomplish more
work, in a given time, than any three wo-
men ! ever saw. Uncle John was driver.
too, and being pretty well posted in the
science of agriculture, his labor was render
ed paratively easy. a part of my long.
midsummer vacations was always spent at
this pleasant retreat, and many were the
lessons OF economy and good common sense
that learned there. This summer every
thing seemed changed. Uncle John wasn't
his usual good .natured and considerate
self; and as for Aunt Sarah, words would fail
to describe the difference | saw and felt in
her aud this Saturday morning was the
first hint had received as to Its cause. |
had just remarked, as John Jr came up
from the shed with an armful of under
brush for the oven, what frank, inteli-
gent face the boy had, when Aunt Sarah
made the remark which commences this
chapter. John threw down his huge load,
brushed off his coat-sleeves, and turning to
me, said: Say, come out here minute,
will you : | want to show you something
real pretty
| followed him into the poultry yard,
expecting to be entertained with the aston
ishing behavior of some old hen, who had
patched brood Of ducks, or be taken to
the field, where one of his favorite colts was
undergoing breaking-in eGucntion. I'm
aginc my surprise, when, instead of having
my attention called to anything connected
with his daily avocatiOns, he pointed to the
blue sky, and said, while every feature
glowed with enthusiasm
Just look, and sec that beautiful moon
sailing along in the broad daylight if you
don't look sharp it will be hard to tell her
from one Of those foecy clouds close by
looked first at the moon, aud then at
the boy. He had drawn away the curtain
from the window of his soul, and the pie
ture which ] saw there almost took my
breath away. Oh the infinite possibil-
ties OF that yearnng nature Oh the
beauties which needed only a master hand
to bring them into glorious symmetry
The whole trouble was revealed to me, as
II by magic-Aunt Sarah's discomfort, and
Uncle Johns righteousness. This boy of
theirs could not be satisfied with the life
they had selected for him, and when asham-
ed OF the feeling he had manifested, the
poor fellow dropped his head and SUNK a
way, before had sufficiently recovered
IRON my stupor to speak. did cot know
whether to laugh Or cry.
What did be want Of you% inquired
Aunt Sarah, in a curt, crisp way, as walk
ed 81 WY back into the kitchen, my heart
throJ5ng with suppressed emotion. Some
tom-f,oIery, | suppose"
lie ouIy wanted to show me how beau
utuI tho moon looked this morning, l an
swcrcd as calmly as I could.
'Oh, my good king Good king, was
about the only ,xplot,ye Aunt Sarah ever
used, aud then ouly under great provoca-
tlon--ani so ] knew about what was com
ing.
Isn't it a sin and a shame that a boy
sixteen years old, as well Jrougb, up as
John has been, sent to school, steady, ever
since he was five years old, should now
take such freaks into bis head about more
learning lie says it will kin him If be ov-
or has 70 settle down on ,be old place-and
lt Will Kill bis father and me If be don't
10 bound FOR destruction, certain sure %
ana oti rolled the rolling pin FROM the A4ky
Ple-Pasie, and Aunt Sarah threw herself
into a chair and buryng her face IN her
apron, cried as if her heart would break
koew that she was all wrong, but was
TOO young to oppose my will to hors and
bad u not been for the proyidcntiol visit Of
one OF those household angels, whose mis-
sion it Is TO make the paths straight for
poor, ouc-sidel, misguided humanity,
don know what would have been the re-
suit The traces Of tears were still visible
Oh Aunt Narah's buxom checks, when the
stage dropped another aunt at the door
Aunt Lucy-the sweetest, dearest, most
sensible old maid that was ever sent into
The world to bless and brighten e.
I've just come down % have a good time
dong house work, said She as she remov-
cd her things.
The fact is, started TO make a chicken
Pot-pie day or two ago, and I found I'd
get rusty If we arc too old 10 learn any
'hIng DOW, 10 this world, We certainly
ought to Try and remember wba. we have
once hn3En. Where's John, and little
IuUu UaNInv. -mrrn.r Illn.a lLal