The Wellington enterprise. [volume] (Wellington, Ohio) 1867-188?, 1879-05-08


He saw the wood pile and the axe.
Her laughter heard.
Proceeded straight TO masking tracks,
Said not word.
THE PRODIGAL BOY.
One fine autumnal afternoon as q coun-
try gentleman, named Louis Dwight, was
out for an hours ride in his vehicle, he
came upon a group of urchins sporting in
the road, and among them saw his son,
boy of ten, flying his kite. The novel
thought struck him of giving his son a
ride, while still flying his kite, and so by
his desire the child took seat by his side,
the horse trotted on, and the kite-string,
through the back of the wagon, still held
by the pleased youngster, maintained the
travelling kite in the air. 1t was, however,
not long before the boy lost his hold of
the stick, upon which the kite rapidly % de-
scended from its gay attitude, and disap
pearing behind some trees, fell into
swamp beyond.
To regain what was so much priced by
his son, if possible, without too much
effort, the father drove back, and now saw
that one of the group of children had al
ready started in pursuit of the missing toy,
and was vending his difficult course
through the swamp, from which in due
time he made his way back, with shout
of joy, bringing the unharmed kite and its
roll of twine, which, on reaching the road,
he presented with smiling grace to their
owner.
you are gallant and unselfish boy"
safe Mr.. Dwight, giving him handful of
pence: what is your names"
Herbert Archley," said the youth,
blushing at the compliment and lifting his
cap in recognition of it and then, turn
| ing to his playmates, he divided among
them what he had received by tossing the
coins into the air and saying:
Come, boys, here's for scrambled"
! His companions proved themselves not
slow to accept the offer, and young Arch
lev, sharing in the scramble with high
glee, took his scant portion with the
others.
| you are too generous by half" exclaim-
ed Mr.. Dwight, admiring the boys benev-
olence quite as much as his good natured
service and politeness. You must learn
TO be more careful of your means-when
| YOU grow older, at least: or you will find
in"
"Ah, slr," said the boy, with q brighter
/ glance even than before, and again doffing
his cap, father taught me never to be
mean, and to be unselfish always makes
me feel happy"
4 His looks told the truth as eloquently
as his words and tone, rs he stood there in
the road, his fine, open, handsome face
rosy with health and beaming with intel
ligence and joys far more beautiful OBJ
ject to contemplate than even the declin
ing sun, whose light displayed him to such
.The sun is lengthening your shadow
my boy" said the gentleman, rejecting fsl
q moment. And even SO 1t Is with the
light of experience, which increases tn,
shade of sorrow the longer it shines. Taks
i my advice, my boy, and hereafter nevel
give all your spare money away. Be lib
at least half for yourself There is no vir
4 tue prevents both the power to be Just anC
to be generous"
II thank you, sir, for the advice, and
will try to follow it"
"Good afternoon, my boy"
Goodbye, sir" -
As they rode home, which was not fa
from the neighborhoOd, Mr.. Dwight learn
ed from his son that Mr.. NArchley was ,
lpoor boy. living with his widowed moth
er; that he was a forward scholar, and 81
igenerally favOrite that presents wer
often made to him, and these he almost a
often distributed among his comrades, be
tween whom he seemed tn make little dis
tinction.
Within few days Mr.. Dwight again me
young Archley, and repeating his injunc
ton to .save half at least" gave him
money-box for that purpose. And tn,
boy, smiling, again promised, and, ap
plauded by his mother, did as he had beer
it accumulated, from month to month
The gentlemen who had been SO interested
in him often gave him small sums lik
others, though debarred like others, from
rendering his mother assistance, which Al
honest pride forbade her 10 accede, and o
which health and industry prevented he
from being in absolute need. &
1 A year passed, and CHANGING to be il
the company of evil associates, Archie,
mitted some theft IN which Archley die
not share, and of which he was ignoran
until he was arrested, like them, and iriet
as their accomplice. Information of tn,
affair being brought to Mr. Dwight, h,
felt convinced of the boys innocence, ant
after qustioning him undertook to pleat
his case; which influence, hewever, onl,
succeeded SO far against the false test
mony of the really guilty, that Archie,
was fined for trespass while the other
were more severely dealt with.
The shame of the accusation seemed :,
lovercome the boy far more than the fea
of punishment, however unjust; and h,
wept more bitterly than the young repro
bates who had thought to make him shar'
their punishment as well as their dis
grace.
You need not shed tears my boy" sait
his temporary protector, soothingly, 81
that all could hear. "None who know yot
could think harm of you. The best ar,
loften injured by false evidence beyonC
their power of defense against law; anC
in this case the penalty It prescribes fol
you believe you can pay, without de
pending on anybody but yourself"
my mother is so poor" sObbed the
boy, that don't like her to pay so much
and how can pay it,"
aWhat have you done with the bex."
"Oh, 1 forgot that; but 1 don't think
there can be much in it from the little
have saved up in it.
send for it, we will see about that"
The little box was therefore brought and
opened in court, and, much to the surprise
Of the boy, far more was found in it than
was demanded to meet the penalty. This
discovery cheered young 'Archley, for he
was now relieved from his modification
and dependency by being able TO pay his
| fine with his own money, which he did
with some pride: and, with his mother
| his friend and his box, he marched out OF
court amid the cheers of his joyful play
mates.
You see, my young friend, that by be
ing provident, without being mean, you
have been able to rescue yourself from
difficulty" said Mr.. Dwight, on parting
with them Bear the lesson in mind, in
future as well rs you have kept your
promise, and YOU will find it of service
throughout your life, long after am dead
perhaps There is more than the amount
you have paid. wished You to send for
the box, only the better to illustrate what