Iowa voter. [volume] (Knoxville, Iowa) 1867-1874, 1871-03-02
UNCLE SILAS'S PRESCRIPTION.

Il
him, had been busily, cheerily saving
away all the forenoon on Mr.. Clayton
wood pile, and now he sat down on log
bread and cheese.
Master Frederick had watched him
YEARLY from a seat on the wood-pile, and
now said with yawn, I'D give dollar,
Uncle Silas, to have my lunch taste as
good as that bread and meat seems to taste
to you. can't bear thing that comes
your good spirits, too, so could sing and
whistle about the grounds; but | feel so
wretchedly don't care whether walk or
heard the clock strike off the hours until
l was tired of it,"
Uncle Siias is quite doctor in his
way; would you like to have him pre-
scribe for you, master Frederick ?"
Prescribe ahead said Fred, Though
l can't promise to follow your advice"
"Well now" said the gentleman with a
dyoll twinkle Of his eye, here is cheap
recipe for happiness: send off your dinner
to some poor body and go without your
per time comes. I'll venture you'd relish
a plain bowl of bread and milk by that
| time"
Who'd have my dinner 2" asked Fred,
whiting twig OF maple.
"There's poor, lame Hugh Weaver
down the street His mother goes out
washing all day, and it is but dry fare he
has, know. don't suppose he ever had
dinner like yours, even on Thanksgiving
day. But take it to him yourself, master
Fred, by all means"
81 really believe | will, Uncle Silas It
will be something pleasant to think over
while lie awake nights"
About that, find that nothing brings
a good nights sleep like good days
work"
But what work can | do?'
"God gives us all our work, my boy, be
we rich or poor, only Of very different
kinds. With your abundant means,
think one work He gives you to do is to
look after His poor. John Ray, for in
stance, would have been overjoyed with
new school book he needs, which, dare
say, would not have cost half what you
paid yesterday for that toy you have
broken and thrown away He was work
ing hard, and denied himself to gather
twenty seven cents toward it, and it will
take thirty three more he says"
"Give ii to him, then, by all MEANS"
said Fred, with much interest, taking the
money from his pocket book.
mo, no, master Fred, do IL yourself;
that is the best way. This will be part of
your days work. Your walk down there
and back will help you to nights sleep.
~ har In t,,r
doing good on the way"
Fred was naturally kind hearted enough,
but the rust Of idleness was settling over
his whole nature He had the misfortune
to be rich mans son, INDUCED in every
within and fancy. Uncle Silas had given
him new idea and he really determined
cially as he did not wish for 10 In the
least.
Though surprised at the request, cook
put up for him in tin pail something of
everything prepared for dinner-Haf =
dozen sorts of the incest vegetables, a fine
piece of roasted chicken, another of lamb,
with pie and frozen pudding for desert"
q, such feast as that was to poor,
lame Hugh! Never in his life had he sat
down to such meal before. The tears
filled his eyes az he thanked Freddy over
and over again, and only wished for his
mother to share the luxuries with him.
But / can save something Of every
thing for her." he said. You have
brought nae provisions for three days
rather than one meal master Frederick"
FRED was delighted, but had too much
poiteness to stay white Hugh took his
meal. He left with hearty "good.by
and happier mood than he had known
for many q day. He really felt almost
hungry himself, but thoughthe would fol-
low Uncle Silas's prescription for the day
at least. So he sauntered down TO the cot
tage where John Ray lived with his
widowed mother and little sister. John
was busy in the garden, and Frederick was
ut loss how to introduce the subject of
the money. At last bright thought
struck him.
"Could yon come up to our house,
John, when you are through your work
and put my fishing tackle in orders /
expect my cousins down soon, and they
will expect lots of fun fishing. My tackle
has been thrown aside in the garnet all
winter, and is in great confusion. I'll buy
anything that's missing and pay you well
for your trouble"
ayes, indeed, Frederick, I'll be around
in half an hour" said John, glad Of the
chance TO add dime or even half dime
to his little st re.
So Fred went home and was soon over
hauling his rods and lines, his boxes Of
hooks, "dipsies," etc, ready for John
when he came. A busy afternoon the |
two boys had Of it, Keeling up tangled
twines and repairing last years damages
All were completed at last and laid in neat
and regular order where they would not
be disturbed.
"Now present your bill, John"
John blushed, and said, 20, never
mind. Freddie"
"Will that be enough ?" said Freddie,
tossing fifty-cent note into his lap.
Yes, five times too much" said John,