Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1875-09-09
A Story for Boys.

NOT long ago | had occasion to call on
friend at eight o'clock on Monday morn
ing-truly a most unreasonable hour. as
all must admit. But no fashionable call,
at the most approved time of day, ever
gave me so much pleasure as this.
1t was during the coolest part of the past
extremely cold winter which depressed
the mercury to twenty degrees below zero.
Very little outdoor business could be
done, and the few who ventured into the
streets hurried along as if trying to keep
pace with the driving wind. Rather hes
| itatingly | raped at the kitchen door Of
my friends humble dwelling, well know
ing the sitting-room would as yet be I'M
occupied by the lady of the house, who
did her own work. 1t was opened i'm
mediately and [ was most cordially re-
ceived. The sight that greeted my eyes
in my friends pleasant kitchen-for a
kitchen may be a pleasant room-was one
of the most gratifying it has ever been my
good fortune to look upon.
1t was washing day. in this we'll
ordered household, whose punctuality
seemed not to have been affected by the
fall OF the mercury, and busy scene in
deed it was. The children OF this family
are four sons. The Oldest was carrying
water the second, with coat off and shirt
sleeves rolled up, was bending over the
wash-tub, washing with a hearty good
will, while his glowing cheeks and the
fOaming Suds in the tub attested the ear
nestness OF his labors. The third son was
| turning the handle of a clothes-wringer,
while the fourth and youngest, a child of
| six, who was determined not to be Outdone
by the "big boys" was piling wood in the
ample wood-box
[ invOluntarily glanced at Mrs. A,
| half expecting to see some signs of par
tial or recent illness visible in her Coun-
! tenance; but no. the fine, healthy glow of
her pleasant face and the bright sparkle
of her eyes, which caused her to look
younger than she really was, forbade the
idea that her sons had been pressed into
| service on account Of their mothers i'll
health. Mrs A. noticed my look and an
swered my unasked question with a glow
Of truly pardOnable pride:
Oh, yes, | am quite well, thank you"
"And we intend to keep her so, said
| the boy at the wash-tub We don't intend
to allow mother to do all the hard work
while we great stout fellows sit around and
| look on"
At nine o'clock the washing was on the
line and three of Mrs. AS sons were in
school quietly pursuing their accustomed
studies. MANY hands make light work.
thought l, and quick work, too.
One evening soon after 1 attended the
Lyceum of our academy. Orations, de-
bates, essays and music were the order
of the evening. l was highly entertained
by the achievements of some of the stu
dents, but of one more than any other.
He was youth of sixteen, possessing a
fine form, flashing eyes, and an erect and
manly bearing. As he stepped upon the
speakers platform the silence Of expect
ancy pervaded the house. All seemed to
be looking for something particularly en-
tertaining, and we were gratifed The
youth before Us was decidedly the best
speaker of the evening. His ringing
voice, kindling eye, animated gestures,
and fine intonations all bespoke the
greatness of the future orator in the boy
before US, who, but a short time before, l
had seen bending over the wash-tub-this
boy who thought more OF seeing the roses
of health bloom on his mothers cheeks
than Of his own selfish ease And think
you that boys lessons were less faithfully
studied and less perfectly learned for help
ing his mother? Let his success, as one
of the best scholars in the school of which
he is member, answer.
Boys, have you a mother? IF you have,
be kind and gentle to her If she is in
health, let your strong and willing hands
assist in all her tolls, that she may con
tinue so. If she is frail, be careful lest
some word or deed Of yours assist to snap
the brittle thread Of the precious life.
Never allow any false or foolish pride to
deter you from rendering her all the as
sistance in your power No act of love or
kindness to her will ever detract one iota
from your reputation for manliness or
bravery, but, on the contrary, will add i'm
to it.-A1aeTtcon Farm Jour-
nal.