The Elk County advocate. [volume] (Ridgway, Pa.) 1868-1883, 1871-11-30

somewhat milder key:
"Theres Tommy, now; I've done a
heap for that boy---handed over pocket
money, fed bis company, gave him good
clothin', with the intention OF doin' well
by him when he's twenty.one; but the
scamp don't appreciate it no more than
nothin' I've done my best, and if he's a
mind to get contrary and want two oars,
he must row his own boat, that's all, for
I'm gettin' sick of the way things is
goin' on, anyhow"
Here the speaker found some unusual
obstruction between couple of back
teeth, and proceeded to dislodge it with
all possible despatch. ..... .
But, Daniel" interposed his wife,
"why can't you begin to do well by
Tommy now? You forget that he's
seventeen years old--too old to be punish
ed, and old enough to feel little nat
ural independence. Now, you've done
little more than feed and clothe him
from his babyhood up. OF course you
mean to give him a chance when little
older but, if you keep on at this rate,
he'll never see twenty-one on this farm.
I've often heard You complain that he
takes no interest in snything-either in
stock or the growing crops. 1 think
there is good reason, Daniel. You don't
give him an interest in q single thing.
Yes, you did give him calf once, but
when the butcher came along you sold
it and put the money in your own pock-
ct. You let him drop corn for Mr..
Blake last spring, but it all went toward
paying off debt you owed that neigh
Dor. Tommy's good, industrious boy,
but you know he's high-strung, and is
bound to learn trade rather than go
on this way. He may find place at
Sunbury, l don't know. l do wish the
boy could stay with us, and he will if
we are just little more liberal toward
him. l think it's all false economy.
Daniel, that mades parent close in his
dealings with child, and you'll be-
lieve it some day, if not now"
We are happy to state that this good
lady did not conclude her remarks with
the usual food of tears. She reserved
them for more suitable occasion, and
went about her work, treading softly,
singing softly, and glancing softly in
the direction of her husband, who now
stood with one foot on the wood-box,
his elbow on his knee, and his head bu-
ried in his hand.
1t hurts poor human nature to be told
the truth in reference to itself. 1t often
hurts one more to have it told by one
who loves him than by casual acquain-
tance. After few moments reflection,
however, the afflicted individual puts a
proviso on his former assertion by hop
ing he or she didn't intend to wound his
feelings; which thought gradually melts
into the conclusion that the offender may
be about right aftsr all.
Mr.. Deliver was passing through this
trying ordeal. Of course his wife knew
it, but You wouldn't have thought it by
her looks. Bless you she appeared as
unconscious as need be, and didn't seem
the least bit surprised when he straight
ened up and said in his usual tone:
"Well, wife, you may have hit the
nail on the head, don't know. Come
to think it over, like enough you have.
l amt certain as to your hittin' it right
square, but Pm willin' to turn over a
new leaf by way of experimentin', you
know, with the agreement of backin' out
if the thing don't work. How's thatT"
No, it wasn't silvery laugh. 1t didn't
sound one particle like " the ripping of
the waves upon the pebbly shore" No.
no. But such hearty, healthy, con-
tagious burst of merriment, that Daniel
laughed quite heartily himself, and was
sorry, when he got through, that it
hadn't lasted longer.
"Why, you odd creature there were
tears in her eyes, but she'd been laugh
ing, you know don't think we've
got to turn over much of new leaf. I"
but strong arm encircled her waist
and drew her into the adjoining room !;
ana there upon the sofa, side by side,
they sat and talked until the old Dutch
clock in the corner coughed eleven times
then Mr.. Deliver went out to feed his
stock, and his wife to prepare the dinner