South Branch intelligencer. [volume] (Romney, Va. [W. Va.]) 1830-1896, 1875-08-13
Established ls3O-vol. XII.
BERRIES AND SUNDAY,


Two boys had been sitting upon the
steps OF the porch for some time, and
looking wistfully over to the fields where
they knew the blackberries grew in great
abundance, while the mother rocked the
baby back and forth, and was striving to
comfort him.
Continuing the conversation, Mrs.
Maxfield said, ~ arm surprised that you
should ask me, Alfred, when you remcm-
Der that it is the Sabbath
Tomorrow the blackberries will be
gone. for they are dead ripe now" sug-
gested Alfred, in tone Of voice far from
amiable.
II do not think they will fail you, my
boy, and even il they do cannot help
it. One Of the most important OF Gods
commandments Is, Remember the Sab
bath day to keep it holy 1t is wrong
to do any work in the time that God has
hallowed."
You work." said the boy.
"Yes, necessary work l have to pro-
vide food for you all to eat but always
try to make my labors as simple as pos
sible. However, the question is not in
regard to my duties, but your amuse-
ments; and it is not respectful for you
ITO speak as you have done; so let there
be an end of it. 1 will not allow you to
pick the berries, either on this Sabbath
or any other"
Alfred took marble from his pocket
and began to toss it up and catch it :;
but he did not speak ofthe berries again.
After quite awhile he said, Mother, can
Isaac and go down to the stile?"
AS the berry fell was in an opposite
direction, Mrs. Maxfeld gave her con-
sent, and away the boys started on a run,
rs they generally did.
Say. Ike. let's get some berries-on.
ly for ourselves, you know"
"What? Mother said we couldn't"
answered Isaac
"What of it? She won't know. you lit
tie pretty kitten. Even if she did, the
baby isn't well, and don't believe she
would really care. Come on-she won't
see u.s."
but God WILL answered the more
conscientious boy, land I'm more afraid
of him than of mother
Not much. / guess he has some.
thing better to do than to be bothering
about our getting few berries. Come
on"
But Isaac, remembering the mother
talk about how God could see every.
where and Mt all times, refused to GO
And when Alfred left him he lay down
upon the grass, and, looking up ut the
blue sky above, fell to wondering about
God; how it was possible that he could
see every little thing; and believing in
his heart that if he was not sure that his
mother always told the truth. that il
would be the easiest thing in the world
to believe that it was all mistake.
And then when the heavy black
clouds began to roll up from the west
and the distant thunder was heard, he
thought that perhaps God was angry
with him for thinking such things, even
way down deep in his heart: so he
jumped up and ran to the house as quick
ly as possible, to get mother'a sympathy
Very soon tremendous crash was
heard, and then the rain commenced to
fall in torrents; and Mrs. Maxfield was
really anxious about Alfred, who had
not returned home.
And when he did come, he was
drenched with the rain, which had quite
failed to wash off the black stains of the
berries from his hands; but he never
seemed to think OF them as he ran
quickly into the sitting-room, where, to
the as.onishment of all, he tainted en-.
tirely away.
When he was well again and safely
tucked into bed for the night, his moth
er asked for an explanation OF matters
And in most penitent tone ofvoice Inc
, answered, 81 went for few berries inst
for myself, and did not notice that the
thunderstorm was coming. When I
did, l started for home in a hurry-and
oh mother when the old russell apple
tree was struck, some Of the splinters
flew after me and hit me on the back
And j never was so frightened"
"You had narrow escape from
, death, Alfred, so will not say as much
, TO you tonight about the sin of vour
disobedicnce as i otherwise would
But, dear boy, wicked rs your sin to-
. wards me was, how much greater is il
towards our Heavenly Father? lie al
: ways knows orr sins, no matter how VIC
may hide them, and is sure TO punish
them in one way or another. And LET
this he lesson 10 you, dear; try 10
keep the Sabbath holy. and resist will
: Gods help every temptation that may
+. lead you to do otherwise."-N Y. Oh.
-.ss.-
: tV The Scotch herring fishing is re-
ported to be failure this season. The
e catch does rot exceed $4,000 GRAMS
. Last year the take was $4,000 and in
1870, 100000 Grams. TIE failure is nj.
tributed TO unfavorable weather and tho
voracity of dog.fsh.
~ cellars need thorough renoya
ton. No half.work will do. if vor
would avoid disease Drains and priv
= les, and the entire premises, in fact, mus
/, receive attention. tits now well.knowr
= that typhoid fever never occurs i'm clear
/. places, where perfect drainage and pur,
water are afforded. 10 can ALWAYS b,
traced TO sewer gas, tainted wells. fou
l cellars and yards, or some uncleanli