The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1877-07-11

we'll, the poor KnlIe lay lohS on0"6
pocket to heal if it would, but knives are not
like broken bones, even with the same op'
portunities. Time is great healer OF the
feelings, at least, SO 1 began to make my
knife useful again. One day took 1.-THE
boys" to see a little, lame, sick girl, who
had not walked step for year. While
Charlie read story, peeled an orange Tor
the little sufferer. Benny nudged my elbow,
and whispered,
"Your knife, mamma, you'll spoil it,, and
Tommy gave low whistle to attract my at
tention, and by winks and comical gestures
gave me to understand the same. Yes, the
blade was discolored, but the little girl was
happy. ,;u.
apples an oranges, it's got the shine OH
now," rejoiced Benny, going home. did
not care. To know how many bushels that
blade did encircle would be an arlthmetlcai
problem too difficult for me to solve; but 1t
was dutiful.,
Then came time for whistles and May
birds. We had great willow in the garden
that supplied the neighbOrhood with whistle
stock. One might hear their pipings from
-sssly -lnoEn -Lo-losely evening while the sea-
son lasted. During the time Benny came in
one day, with,
"Mamma, don't you think Elijah was aW
full hot when he went up to heaven 2" l
knew something was behind this question from
little boy who did not like to study mis- Sab
bath School lesson any too we'll.
"Why?" I asked, in some surprise.
"Cause my teacher said last Sunday that
he went up in chariot O fre-the Bible
says SC, so how could he help burnin' ~
An besides, mamma, couldn't Charlie take
dis est to make me w'istle He says he'll
be very careful-an' you don't low w'ittlins
in here, so please I'll take it outdoors
Now, l mistrust Benny had my knife in
his heart as we'll as hand, all the time more
than the good EIjah's comfort, boys do have
such way of getting around their mothers.
So my knife went out of my sight for the frat
time. l knew an hour after, when Charles
arms were about my neck and his kisses on
my cheek, that another blade had been sac
rifced upon the altar of-what shall l say !
self. denial? No. it wasn't any; but
gratitude for my miniature men. In Char
lies hand lay the knife, as l thought, another
blade gone and chip of ivory from the han
die. He did not speak as he turned it for In
spection, until I raised my eyes to his, then
81 shall be a rich man, mamma, by-and-
by. I will replace this. l am sorry | Dor
rowed it now"
"Dear Charlie, believe you, and it is
worth a thousand blades to know you love
me. Couldn't you round the blades by grind
ing ?" / asked.
Certainly" he replied, and went out
whistling Yankee Doodle, though it sounded
tremulous. He ground the blades down neat
", and now, the charm broken, and "the
boys" knives all lost, what a useful life it
led; carving tops and swords; ships and
Jack. straws, carts and wheel-barrows, and
other useful articles. Although loaned to
one or the other most of the time, when the
allotted work was done, it was sure to be
carefully returned; so it was never lost and
always ready. I really loved the triAe for
the happiness it brought. The third blade
fell martyr in kite time, about the days of
June roses-still kites innumerable went up
from the unfortunate steel stuups, and many
boys beside mine were made happy. One
evening saw my husband searching first one
pocket, then another, while an uncut maya
zine lay upon his knee.
"Wife," he said, "will you lend me your
knife, must have left mine at the office. l
think have done we'll not to ask for it be-
FORE"
81 was not to lend to even you, | believe"
1 answered, playfully, at the same time lay,
ing the knife in his palm. He looked his
surprise as he turned it over. "Shall l tell
you story questioned. He liked stories
as well as the children, and l could always
keep him still that way. gave him little
sketch of the knife's history, and closed
with
Greatly, my dear, 1 would rather have
this knife, with its scars and rusts, than one
made of gold and set with diamonds, that
was not hallowed by the touch of the boys
fingers"
"YOu are right. So would l." He re-
sumed his magazine, which 1 noticed he read
for some time wrong side up!
The next day, going to my, wOrk-basket
for scrap to tie up Benny'S bleeding fin
gers, 1 noticed little package marked "FOr
the little mother" 1t was another beautiful
knife, without requests or requiring promises.
This have, bright and shining still, for the
old one lives to do duty yet. The boys are
satisfied. Interior.
WHY?