The Owosso times. (Owosso, Mich.) 18??-1882, 1882-03-03
lg,-and that is what made me run on

1
so.5 Il J r5rg~
But, Ned said his father, there il
no returning to the old way. don't
wish you to feel that you are contin.
ually being 'bossed.' There are simple
home rules to which we are all expect
ed cheerfully to conform. Your mother
and spend several hours each day in
actual work, and we think it is well
that our children should also have
slight duties 10 perform. Then there
are your lessons. Both the home and
the school work are essential to fit you
for the future responsibilities Of man
hood. You are building a character;
shall 1t be weak and selfish, or strong
and sweet and nOble9 If you are not
quite willing TO be led, you had better
continue this experiment. r
Indeed, father, am willing. don't
know what has made me so silly
Il think Bill Simpson has somewhat
influenced your opinions. believe lib
erty is a favorite topic of his. You
had, better .shun such companionship; it
will do you no good. Give him wide
range. wish to see you. Ned, an hon
orable man, pure-hearted Christian
gentleman
And you shall, father, l promise
you. Ill drop all nonsense and 20 to
work in earnest and if l ever again talk
fOolishly, just remind nee Of to-day.
I've been wretched all day long, and
yet I've tried to persuade myself that
L was having my own way. I'D rather
thousand times have been at school.
Yes said Mr.. Brown, .'and the cause
of your discomfort has been an uneasy
conscience. You knew that you were
selfishly Sinking lawful duties. Be-
lieve nae. the path of duty is the path
of true happiness. 1t is good for a
man that he bear the yoke in his youth
says most excellent authority. Christ
enjOins us to take his yoke upon us and
learn Of him. And we read that even
he pleased not himself The lesson
seems to be that life Of submission is
a life of true liberty. How does that
appear to you, Ned?' ...r.
IL do not quite understand
. Let Inc, explain little. You have
followed where l directed because you
early formed a habit of obedience, and
to you my word was law. But lately
obedience has been irksOme to you, and
you have considered yourself scarcely
better than u slave. But suppose that
your love and reverence for me had
been so great as. to make my wishes
yours; then our wills would have been
one, and obedience a pleasure instead
Of duty. Just so it is with regard to
God. The kingdom of heaven is ceme
when Gods will is our will While
Gods will is our law, We are but kind
of noble. slaves; when his will is our
will, we are free children 81
'AhlI understand, and above all 1t is
noble to be a freeman, one Of Christ's
feeemen: That will do our aim, but
fear / shall bea slave for awhile longer.
But at least Ill try to be noble slave.
And to show. my good intention, I'll
rush off and chop the wood before it is
quito dark
'Hullol Ned shouted Bill Simpson,
a few days after the above cOnversa-
zion, sin the name of goodness what has
got into you, my boy? Has the Gov
ernor' given you an ALFRED blowing
up? You've suddenly lost all spirit,
and here you are pegging away like
regular old prig. What does it mean,
old fellowy
1T means, replied Ned, that l am
heartily ashamed of myself, and that
I've turned over a new leaf, and am
trying to make up for lost time. What
do you say to joining mer
Thank you, I'd rather be excused
said Bill with a sneer' I'm not anxious
to wear straight-jacket. Thank good
ness no one can make slave of me.
When you're sick of this new freak,
YOU know where TO find me.'
But hope it isn't freak, said Ned.
Il believe it's a real steadfast purpose,
and it's my own choice, too.'
'Pohr said Bill, you can't CANNON
me. I'm simply disappointed in you.
thought you were fellow of some
spirit. No milk-and-water chap for
mel l wash my hands of you. Good
day, sir, and Bill Simpson passed on
with an air of lofty disdain.
Ned looked after him with flushed
cheeks and kindling eye. Let him
&c, he said softly to himself; henceforth
our paths diyerge. What a, fool was
to besttracted by his boastful swagger!