The Albany register. [volume] (Albany, Or.) 1868-18??, 1880-02-20
ROys versus Knives.

for you and allow me to add that
do hope you will keep it for your own
special use, and not lend it to sthe boys
To guard against this have bought
each of them substantial jack which
will answer all their demands"
took the pretty gift, expressing my
thanks, but careful to avoid promises;
didn't know how it had been before
It was a pretty thing. four polished
blades, very Toledo of the finest steel,
ivory handle, with pet name of mine
engraved upon, the side. will gnard
this treasure, thought, as I carefully
slipped it into pocket in my work
basket.
It was scarcely concealed when
loud tramping OF four boots and two
shoes upon the basement stairs announc-
ed the approach of my regiment.
"Let's see your knit, mamma" burst
from three mouths at the opening of
the door.
"Ne don't want to borrow said
Charlie, the eldest, 'for see, papa has
treated us all"
"Oh my what beauty" exclaimed
Tommy. u
"I bet she's sharp a. Iightning-rod, )"
calculated Ben.
a laugh rolled out, and dignified
Charlie managed to correct the apo
thegm, "'sharp as lightning you
mean; the rod isn't supposed to be
very sharp
"I guess It's at the point didn't
see grandpa's before it was put up"
justified Benny.
took occasion to preach short I'M
pressive sermon Upon my beautiful
knife, and gave ",he boys'' to under
stand it could not on any account be
borrowed-"fore-w warned, fore-armed."
For two whole weeks enjoyed my
treasure, cut leaves of my magazines,
did some sklllfnl ripping without manip-
ulat;ns the garments, my finger-nails
were worried with careful dressing. I
displayed my knife TO my husband sew
eral times he remarked its good uses,
and reminded me not to lend il even to
him.
l smiled my doubts.
One day soon after, Tommy came in
to the sewing-roctn and sitting do wn
near me, worked ambitiouSly at his
boot-heels with hair-pln-his knife
had been lost week.
"Para taid We might go skating on
Ridges Pond this afternoon, but | new
er'll get these hol s cleaned Could It
| just take your knife minute?
won't hurt 1t"
"if you will use it right here,n re-
piled, and continued my cutting. He
took it from the table where it lay with
enc of its shining blades open-a temp
tation to any boy-I Thought / ought
not to ! ave LET: it there. One hole " d.
successfully freed from Ice and dirt, the
other attacked, wlen-"clfck !''-tho
blade was broken
"Oh, mamma !''
ooh, Tommy ~
81 didn't-mean to.'' There were
tears in his blue eyes; how could l
scold 2
''I'm so sorry l said.
$50 am |, very sorry, mamma"
l was outdone. I saw he felt worse
abou. it than did: He laid the wound
ed knife down, and went out. / cen
sured myself for not telling him not TO
let the tritie spoil his afternoon skate.
I do like them to have a good time
it makes them so rosy, SO bright, and
NOISY. think he skated, aud Tom
my and kept the secret. That night
| had a headache, and Charlie offered
to bdthe my head-he was always
though.tul-but Tom my insisted upon
leaving his now-halling and devotine
himself TO me with the tenderness OF
triple his years; it was worth dozen
knife blades.
Well, the poor knife lay long enough
in its pocket to heal, if it would !; but
knives are not like broken bones, even
with the same opportunities. Time is
great healer Of the feelings, at least,
so began to make MY Enife useful
again. One day took "the boys" to
see little, lame. sick girl. who had
not walked 4 step for year. While
Charlie read story, | peeled an orange
for the little sufferer. Benny nudged
my elbow, and whispered
). 'Your knife. mamma you'll spoil
it, and Tommy gave low whistle to