Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1878-09-19
Ghildren's department.
WHATABOY DID FOR HIS MOTHER.

WHAT a DU1 D1D FUN hAS hVAh1hs
The Aour's out, ma'am," said Bridget, put
ting her head into the sitting-room, where
Mrs Helps and Charlie were sitting. =
Every we'll, Bridget" said Mrs. Helps, but
when the door was shut, she sighed; and
though Charlie asked her twice what "succor"
meant, she gave him no answer.
Charlie looked up from his book and saw
tears falling on his mothers hands, as she
sewed.
Mamma mamma what's the matter? p
"Ohl nothing, child! don't worry. I'm
sure it's all right; and I'm glad you little
ones have such good appetites."
Charlie thought hard for moment "Oh !!
I know" he said with wise look; "it's the
flour. You we're SO happy till Bridget put
her head in. Now, mamma, I'll tell you
what you get a whole barrel instead of bag,
and then you won't have to be bothered. |
was over at Henry's the other day, and his
mother went in the closet, and | saw her take
such lot of -four out of barrel! Get a
barrel, motherw and Charlie put his arms
around the dear neck and kissed the face he
loved so much.
Mrs. Helps could not but smile at her little
boy. "Child, the trouble is I cant get bar
rel. 1t would cost nine dollars, and haven't
got that. But no matter, my son; you are
growing older every day. God is very good,
and | know we shall not siarve. Now must
20 up to my study, and you can run out
doors"
Charlie put on his hat and ran out. Henry
IN nj ht,f ho Ri 10
said, "No; | can't now. l want to 60 to the
village"
"Can go, too?"
Now Charlie would rather Henry had stay.
ed at home, but be was trying to be an un.
selfish boy so be said, eyes; only please,
Henry, can't talk"
The two walked along and though Char.
lie had said be could not talk, he soon began
to tell Henry what was on his mind. "Moth-
er works so hard" he said, "since father died
last winter, and she's 80 worried how she
ought to have whole barrel of -four, I'm 60
ing to see if 1 can't earn one"
Henry opened his eyes at this "You earn
a barrel of flour! Why father paid for our
barrel the other day, and l saw the bill, ten
dollars. How'll you earn that"
Mother said nine dollars" said Charlie, a
little discouraged. II don't know hoU, but
I've got plan. I'm going to the grocer s."
"To buy your four!' said Henry half
laughingly.
They went to large grocery-store in thu
village, and a clerk asked the boys what
they wanted. Charlie answered that he
would like to see Mr.. Dunning.
"He's busy" said the clerk.
II see, but can wait"
In little while Mr. Dunuing came to the
boys "Now, my boy" said he, what can |
do for you?" Charlie felt like throwing his
arms around the gentleman's neck, he looked
and spoke so kindly, and telling all his hopes,
but he tried to tell as little as possible Of his
real need "You know wasn't begging" he
said afterward.
II want to know, sir, if can do any work
for you-sweeping or Clearinghouse or in
your house? can chop wood and light fires
and bring water and peel potatoes and post
letters and"
stop, stop, my boy!' said Mr.. Dunning
II see you can do good deal for little fel-
low. But can't you do all this at home !?
Don't they need you there?
"Oh I'll do that too. I can't be here all
the time; but please, sir, Iii work very hard,
and very, very long time, if only | can earn
ten dollars"
"Ten dollars! Well, that is large sum
to pay little boy. What do you want it
for?"
"Please sir, mammals writing and sewing
and teaching to earn enough money for US,
but she can't get enough, and | do want to
get her barrel of -four. thought p'r'aps
if worked hard and earned part, you'd trust
me to work for the rest"
"Why, what's your name? ?"
"Charlie Helps"
$50 you're Mrs. Helps boy Bless you,
child, you shall have work to do; and if you
are faithful, your mother shall have the flour.
Now, what time can you come here?"
l dress Johnnie, and the baby for mother in
the mornings, and then I study but perhaps
mother could hear me some other time. can
chop our wood any time, and I can get up
very early and draw the water before break
fast"
"Well, you come round at ten o'clock every
day and stay till four; tell your mother you'll
not be in the store, but with my wife. | fan
cy she'll like to see a boy about again." and
Mr.. Dunning sighed.
All children, death takes father from
one home and child from another, and only
God can comfort those that are left. Mr..
Dunning had lost his boy, q little fellow
about Charles age few months before.
Now, | must not make nay story too long.
Charlie worked hard. He peeled potatoes,
cleaned knives, sorted potatoes and apples
(and if you have ever tried it, you will find
that it is very hard work. split wood and
even set the table. Charles mother did not
know that he was to be paid for all this, but
supposed that he had hired himself out to re-
lieve her of his board, for Charlie always ate
his dinner at the Dunnings', and the noble
boy used to eat as little as possible at home.
At last, when be had worked three weeks,
Mr. Dunning called him into the store.
Here's friend of yours, Charlie" he said !;
and there was Charles Sunday-school teach
er, Mr.. Kimball.
"Charlie went to tell you that I'm going
to send your barrel of -four home tonight"
said Mr.. Dunning; "and as Mr.. Kimball is
here, he shall see it marked. You've earned
more than half the price already, and so you
shall give this to your mother, and tell her if
she will give you to me for my own boy-my
very own-she shall never want for flour or
anything else | can furnish out Of my
store"
Charlie could not answer, and could only
smile from ear to ear as Mr.. Dunning wrote,
"Mrs Helps, ordered and paid for by
Charlie Hell ps," on the top of the barrel.
Charlie rode home with the man who took the
barrel, and his mother came out to Gee who
was there.