The Redwood gazette. [volume] (Redwood Falls, Minn.) 1873-1940, 1878-09-19
BE A MOTHERS BOY.

Bots, how often many of US have
heard large boys (arge in size, but too
often very small in manners and be-
havior) jeer at and make fun of some
one or more of their smaller and more
timid companions (small in stature,
yet large. hearted and whole-souled in
their bearing, and thoughtful and kind
in their dealing with others), calling
them "mamma's boy" or "mother's
baby darling and other such names.
Now, what l want to say to you is,
that no matter how much others may
laugh and sneer, it is noble and hon
orable thing to be q " mothers boy"
l know it is sometimes very trying to
a fellow-feeling to be laughed at
and belittled for doing what he thinks
is right; but is it not better to be made
fun of for being good and true than to
reap the reward of an evil and de-
graded life? "Oh, yes" you all say.
out and out. "mother's boys" for if
all our boys and girls were devoted to
their good parents, and needed their
advice and followed their Cody ex-
ample, our Jails and Penitentiaries
would be less popular; and many a
poor prisoner, now bearing the penalty
of y hayward and Goddess life, might
be enjoying the sweet associations of
home, the smiles of father and mother,
and the loving attentions Of brothers
and sisters.
heard of a boy, few years ago,
whose parents lost all their earthly pos
sessions when he was about seven years
of age. This boy had always been
noted for his tender affection for his
mother, and his implicit confidence that
all she said and did was right. He
was often teazed and laughed at for be-
ing such baby, and always changing
to his mothers apron-strings," as some
people used often to say; but he didn't
mind all this a bit, and nothing could
make him let 90 his hold upon the af-
fections of his dear mamma. When
his family we're stricken with poverty,
and his father, who, up to the time of
his adversely, had been a well-to-do
and prosperous business man, could
find no employment with which to earn
q support for his wife and little ones,
his mother and this little boy set about
to take the fathers place, as best they
could, in providing for the family.
They had to apply to the city authori-
ties for help; and many has been the
heavy load of provisions which this
little fellow has tugged home from the
e ration-house." Often he has stood
for hours at time, on a bleak, cold
morning, with bare feet and thinly-
clad body, in the midst of large crowd
Of people of all classes, pushing and
showing him, waiting for his turn to
hand in his 4" ticket," and get in ex-
change his allowance of coarse food.
Sometimes the rough men and women
around him would look down at him
with an expression which seemed to
say, " You don't look as If you ought
to be here, little boys" and then they
would say q kind word to him, in their
way. His small arms would almost
break sometimes and his little legs fair
ly knock together from being $50
tired" after weary tramp for food and
fuel. Still he did not grumble. But
when his mother was with him, he
would stick close to her side; and then
how proud he felt when she would look
at him so tenderly and call him My
sons" it made him straighten up; and
he almost forget all his heavy load, and
all about being hungry and cold, and
he would trudge along as bravely as a
"grenadier," and think what great
things he was going to do when he was
. man. -.
Well, this little fellow had long
battle with poverty and want; but, aft
er . while, things got little better,
and he got . place in an Office with a
kind, Christian gentleman, who did all
he could to help him, and make him
aspire to be something in this life. and
prepare for the life to come. He is
still young man; and though often
cast down and beset by poverty, he has
the satisfaction Of knowing that, by the
blessing Of his Heavenly Father, he is
able to provide . living for his dear
mother and. sisters. His father has
passed away from earth; and he only
is left to take his place. His head often
thrObs with pain, and his heart aches
with disappointment and fear for the
future; but when he thinks how $ il
used to be-" when he was little boy,
and what great things God has done
tor him, he determines to keep trying
and trusting in Him who doeth all
things WE'LL" and never despair.