Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1878-10-09
What Charlie Did for His Mother.

hei ctlWNoh WINNERS ny.
What Charlie Did for His Mother.
The Hours out, ma am" said Bridget,
putting her head into the sittinp-room. where
Mrs Helps and Charlie were sitting.
avery well, Bridget" said Mrs. Helps, but
when the door was shut she sighed and
though Charlie asked her twice what "suc.
cor" meant she gave him no answer
Charlie looked up from his book and saw
tears were falling on his mothers hands.
"Mamma mamma what's the matter 2" |
90, nothing, child don't worry. I'm sure |
it's all right; and I'm glad you little ones
have such good appeties.'
Charlie thought hard for moment. 40, |
know !" he said, with wise look ats |
the -four. You were ever so happy till Bird |
get put her head in. Now mamma, III tell
you what you get 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 barrel mother !" 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 lit
tie boy "Child the trouble is, can get
l
haven't got that. But no matter, my son
you are growing older every day. God is
very good and know we shall not starve.
Now | must go up to my study, and you
can run outdoors"
Charlie put on his hat and ran out.
Henry was waiting for him to play; but
Charlie said, "No; | can't now. I want to
go to the village"
"Can | 90 too 2"
Now Charlie would have rather Henry
had staid at home, but he was trying to be
an unselfsh boy so he said, Yes; only
please, Henry, | can't talk
The two walked along; and though
Charlie had said he could not talk, he soon
began TO tell Henry what was on his mind.
Mother works so hard,' he said, since
father died last winter, and she's so worried
how she ought to have a whole barrel of
flour, I'm going to see if cant earn one"
Henry opened his eyes at this You
earn barrel of flour Why, father paid
for our barrel the other day, and / saw the
bill, ten dollars. How'll you earn that ?"
Mother said nine dollars" said Charlie,
little discouraged. 81 don't know hoy,
but I've got plan. I'm going to the
grocer's,'
"To buy your flour 2" said Henry, half.
They went to large grocery-store in the
village, and the clerk asked the boys what
they wanted. Charlie answered that he
would like to see Mr.. Dunning.
He's busy" said the clerk
:" see, hut | can wait.
In little while Mr.. Dunning came to the
boys. " Now, my boy" said he, "what eau
, do for you :" Charlie felt like throwing
his arms around the gentlemau'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.
al want to know. sir, if can do any
work for you-sweeping or cleaning-here
or in your house ? | can chop wood and
light fires, and bring water and peel pota-
toes, and post letters, and
"Stop, stop, my boy |" said Mr.. Dunninp.
Il see You can do a good deal for little fe
low. But can't you do all this at home /?
Don't they need you there 2"
"Oh, III do that, too. can't be here all
the time; but please. sir. IN work very
hard. and a very. very long time. if only I
can earn ten dollars"
"Ten dollars Well that ia n LARGE
sum to nav little bow. What do Won want
it for ~
please, sir. mammals writing and sew
ing and teaching to earn enough money for
us, but she can't get enough. and | do want
to get her a barrel of Hour. I tbongbt
p'r'aps if I worked hard and earned mart
you'd trust me TO work for the rest"
"Why. what's YOUR name ?"
"Charlie Helps"
$50 you're Mrs. Helps's bow Bless Won,
child you shall have work to do; and if
you are faithful your mother shall have flour.
Now, what time can YOU come here 2"
al dress Johnnie and the baby for mother
in tho mornings. and thon 1 study but rer
haps mother could hear me some other time.
can chop our wood any time, and can
get up early and draw the water before
breakfast"