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


be an arithrnetical problem too difficult
for one to solve; bat it was dutiful.
Then came time for whistles and May
birds. We had great willow in the
garden that supplied the neighborhood
with whistle stock. One might hear
their pipirgs from early morn to lovely
evening while the season lasted. Dur
ing the time Benny came in one day,
with
"Mainma, don't yoh think Elijah was
awful hot when he went mp to heaven ?''
l knew. something was behind this ques-
ton from little boy who did not like to
study his Sabbath.xcssool lesson any too
we'll.
"Why 90 ! asked, in some surprise.
"'Cause my teacher said lsst Sunday
that he went up IN a chariot o fire
the Billie says $3.50 how could he
help burning AM besides, mamma,
coulln't Charlie take dis, est to make
me whistle lie says he'll be very
careful-an' You don't low w'ittlin's
in here, SO please I'll take it outdoors" !"
Now, mistrust Benny had my knife
in his heart ss well as hand, all the
times more than the good ElJah's COM
fort. Boys do have sush a WY of
getting around their mothers. So my
knite went cut of my sight for the first
| time. | knew All hour after, when
Charles arms were about my neck and
his kisses on my cheek, that another
blade had been sacrificed u, ON the altar
ot-What shall l soy ?-sef.denial ?
No ! it wasn't any but gratitude for
my miniature meu. In Charlie's hand
lay the knife, as l Thought, another
blade gone, and chip of ivory from
the handle. He did not speak as be
turned it tor my Inspection, Until l
raised my eyes to his, then
Il shall be rich man, mamma, by
and-by. l will replace this. / am sor-
ry borrowed it now"
"Dear Charlie, believe you, and It
is worth thousand blades to know you
love me. Couldn't you round the
blades by grinding 20 | asked.
"Certainly," he replied, and 15at
out wishing Yankee Doodle, though
it sounded tremulous. lie ground the
blades down neatly, and now, the
charm broken, and ''the boys" knives
all lost, what useful life it led carv-
ing tops and swords ships and jack
straws, carts and wheel. barrows, and
other useful articles. Although loaned
to ole or the other most of the time,
when the allotted work was done, il
was sure to be carefully returned, SO it
was never lost and always ready. /
| really loved the tribe for the happiness
it brought. The third blade fell a
martyr III Kite time, about the days of
June roses-slill, kites innumerable
went up from the unfortunate steel
stumps, aud many boys besides mine
were made happy. One evening | saw
my husband searching first one pocket
tlIen another, while an uncut magazine
lay upon bis knee
"Wife," he said, twill sou len6 me
your knife | must have lett mine At
the office. / think l have done wei
not to ask for it before"
s'I was not to lend to even you,
believe" l answered playfulIy, al the
same time laying the knife IN his palm.
He looked his surprise as he turned it
over. ''Shall tell yuu a story ?'' l
questioned. He liked stories as we'll
as tie children. .and | could always keep
him still that way. | gave him little
sketch OF tie knife's history, aud closed
with
"Really, my dear, would rather
have this knife, with Its scars and rust,
than one made of gold and set with
diamonds, that was not hallowed by
the touch Of the boys fingers"
s'You are right. So would l." He
resumed bis magazine, which noticed
he read for some time wrong side up!
Tie rext day, going to my work
basket for scrap to tie up BennY's
bleeding fingers, noticed little pack
age marked s.Fpr the little mother.''
1t was another beautiful knife, without
requests or requiring promises. This
/ have, bright and shining sill, for the
old one lives 10 do duty yet. The boys
are satisfied. Interior.
-. .--- :,
"I never turn out for scoundrels,' 2
said a bully, meeting Quaker, aud
stepping up square before him to iDau-