The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1880-09-01

Alter nnlSnlnS ner morning QutleS, MIS-.
Somers prepared herself for walk, in
tending to go to the lower part of the vii
lage. AS she was vending her way across
the common she per- eived boy coming
towards her, whom she soon found to be
Peter Gray. The boy was passing sulk-
lily when she stopped him with pleasant
4" Good morning, Peterl" He nodded,
and was going on, but Mrs. Somers being
determined to Speak to him, stood right
in front and said what is the matter
Peter? You do not seem to be in a good
humor this fine morning. Can do any
thing for you, my boy?'
Ny boy" fell on his ears, no one had
ever called him so before but his mother,
and she, not often, as he was more of a
trial than a comfort to the poor woman.
As Peter looked up at the kind face of
the lady, his eyes filed with tears, he
saw so much pity, SO much interest ex-
pressed in the sweet countenance. She
repeated the question, "Can l do any
thing for my boy?"
20 ma ami" at last burst forth from
his quivering lips, what, can you do for
me?' No one takes any notice of me,
no one cares for me. Even my mother
scolds, and my sister hates me"
80 mol replied Mrs. Somers gently,
your mother loves you only as mother
can, though you are not always the COM
fort you ought to be, Peter.
Peter hung his head lower than ever,
and blush of shame mounted to his fore
head.
Nov, my boy continued the kind
lady, al wish to help you, and do all l can
to make you better and happier boy"
you help me, returned Peter in
amazement, there's no good in me, moth
ing but bad, everybsdy says am going
to the bad as fast as | can.
1.-The Psalmist says, There is none that
'doeth good, but why do you not help
yourself, try to be an obedient, loving, and
honest boy"
At the word honest, Peter blushed
again, not daring to look up, fearing to
meet the kind, grave eyes of the lady,
who added, II want you to do some work
for me, you know how to handle spade
and hoe, and will give you the Job to
work in my garden, which will last for
some days, if you are willing to exert
yourself Can trust you, Peter?"
20 ma am !" said the penitent boy, tears
streaming down his cheeks, 1T wouldn't
touch any thing of yours again for moth
ing in the world, for you are the first
person in the village that ever has spoken
kindly to me besides my poor, old mother.
Mrs Somers heart reproached her, as
she thought of the many opportunities
now forever lost, in which she might have
gained the love and confidence of this
neglected boy. How few know the value,
the power, of kind loving word.
20 ma am, how can you trust me, when
I took the little lady's basket myself!
"You Peter I did not think it posi-
Bile you would steal from your own sisterl"
please ma am, don't think me as bad
as that, didn't know at first the cherries
and things were for Susie, or l wouldn't
have laid my finger on them. od ,r
"Tell me all about it, said Mrs. Som
ers, kindly, and the lady listened pity
ingly as he told the sad tale, and how
purely out of mischief he snatched up
the basket, thinking he would tease Mary
by hiding it, and seated himself some dis
lance back of the cottage but on opens
ing it the temptation was too great, the
cherries, first tasted, soon vanished, and
when the cake and custard were reached
it was only the work of few minutes to
finish that also 81 am sorry enough
now I did it, added Peter, "a and if you
will kindly help me, III try mighty hard
never to do such thing again.
Mrs. Somers talked kindly and serious
ly to the neglected child about his great
sin and his wasted boyhood. and told'him
he should not only seek the pardon of
those he had injured, but the forgiveness
Of the living God also Mrs. Somers
soon babe Peter goodbye after making
an engagement for him to be at her house
the next morning early and babe him go
home and tell his mother the whole story,
for his evident penitence would gladden.
the poor woman's heart. " o.
When Mrs. Somers that evening told
her husband what she had done, he shook
his head and said he hoped the boy would
not abuse her confidence whilst Bob gave
long whistle to express his astonish-
ment, and predicted no Peter would ever
be seen on their premises Contrary to
Bob's predictions, however, Peter pre-
scented himself at the appointed hour, and
after receiving few directions from Mrs.
Somera, went to work with great dill
gence. ql
TIL IA -o,ordoror Andro,u oIso sbool,