Daily Kennebec journal., 1873-06-13
Gales aud Sketehfs,
THAT TROUBLESOME BEN.

q
was Ben Wilkie. Scolded, snubbed, ad-
monished from morning till night, it was
wonder his naturally good temper was
not utterly spoiled. -.
Ben was the son OF a wealthy farmer.
He had two brothers, one OF whom was
in college, the other at home, following
his fathers profession. There were four
girls, all older than Ben. Our hero him.
self was tall, strongly built lad, scarcely
twelve years old, but looking fourteen.
He was not handsome; his features were
too large and irregular for that: but he
had great honest grey eyes, and frank
open look, that won my heart when first
saw him. Boys are always favorites Of
mine, partly because have so much sym.
pathy for them, thinking them persecu-
ted race.
Poor Ben. he was an awkward lad,
whose uncouth ways and blunders shocked
his sisters delicate sensibilities every hour
of the day. His mother. one of those good,
unpleasant women, whose nerves are hab-
itually ''unstrung,' greeted his entrance
every day from school with a sigh. cx-
pressive OF despondent resignation. As
for his father, he was really a kind. gen.
erous-hearted man, but too hasty and i'm
pulsive to be a ijudicious parent.
Between them all, Ben had hard time
of it. The rough, laundering lad, had a
warm heart of his own, and nature ac-
tually sensitive to ali unkindness. His
family would have laughed to hear the
word sensitive applied to Ben. In their
eyes lie was merely II good-natured ami
nal, whose thick skin was provokingly
proof against their sharp pointed words.
Ten minutes late n said Mr.. Wikie, AS
Ben entered the diningroom one bright
June morning. What do you mean by
this, sir? Next time it happens, you
go without your breakfast. ! am always
prompt at meals. and mean my children
Shall be"
Ben seated himselfin silence. The pain
lul consciousness Of three long sums not
yet worked out" weighed down his
spirits. If Flora, that clever little arith-
metcian, had only given him few min
utes' assistance But she was very "con-
trary'' last night. and had treated him in
stead to II fine lecture on self-reliance.
Ben lost his temper at length. and was
sent to bed as punishment, with his les
son half-learned He was by no means
brilliant scholar, and had been unable to
make up for lost time this morning.
ben, you amt brushed your hair this
morning. said his mother, mournfulIv, af-
ter II pause.
And just see what enormous mouthfuls
he takes y said Wilkic, sharply. ''Ben,
Your, manners would disgrace an Irish
cabin!'
LET the boy alone,' said the father,
decidedly. "Don't be picking at him all
the time ~ bA
This unexpected sympathy upset
Ben quicker than an hours scolding would
have done. lie rose hastily, so hastily
that he knocked over glass with his
sleeve. There was sharp crash, a dis
tressed ejaculation from Mrs. Wilkie, and
a chorus of exclamation from the rest
rs it one of the best goblets, Angus
Ia - asked Mrs. Wilkie, family, her eyes
half-closed, as if she would shut out the
painful truth
"Yes, said Augusta, smartly, "the third
, one he's broken this week. lreally think
mamma, that Ben-''
But the unhappy Ben had escaped, and
/ was by this time We'll on his way To
school. He walked fast, brushing some
thing impatiently from his eyes as he
went. What was the use OF crying like u
spoony? He had the remedy in his own
hands, and was resolved to use it at last
"Wcll, Ben, | hope you're satisfied
said Augusta, meeting the boy on his re-
turn. Here's your teacher been here, Civ
ing an awful report of you. Says you're
the greatest Ounce in the school. and as
Sulky as---'
Ben, come here - called his father
sternlv.
4 stormy halt-hour followed. stormy.
at least, on Mr.. Wilkes part, for Ben wiz,
silent and snllen. Dismissed at last in
disgrace to his own room, he walked
| slowly up stairs, pausing an instant by his
mothers door He hesitated y moment,
then walked slowly in
docs your head ache. mo.hcr?" he
asked in rather shaky voice. Mrs Viii
kie uncloSed her eyes with a weary groan,
and looked at him.
'Oh, Ben, is that you? do go away
How can you have the face to come in
quring after me, when you know that
your own conduct has made me sick To
think Il son OF mine should be called a good
for-nothing. Oh dear! oh dear. I'm
afraid you're bound to bring disgrace on
us all ~ Htlf .
Her voice broke, and she relapsed into
weak sobbing. Ben, whose laceI had
flushed angrily. was now quite pale again.
He turned rs it to 60, paused, and came
back again to the bedside. ss. s4 e3
Goodnight, mother he said. with
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