The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1882-03-29
Aunt AIMS Story.

Aunt AIMS Story
Little Arthur Grayson was standing at
a window watching the steadily falling
snow, when he suddenly exclaimed !:
" Oh, Frank, come to the window quick,
Old Rummy is coming and he so drunk
he can hardly walk T.
He does look funny, doesn't he ?" re
piled Frank, "but you know mother
says we ought to pity HIM instead Of
laughing when he reels so.
l wonder why he will get so drunk :?
They say he always licks Tommy dread
fully when he gets home. I'm glad my
father doesn drink and lick me"
Who is that stopping to take him into
his sleigh?"
It's that rich Mr.. Manning who
moved into Murray Hill last summer !;
| shouldn't think he would want to tuck
those nice robes around him as he does,
should your
From another window l had watched
the scene and heard the comments of the
boys, and closing my book and pushing
my glasses from my eyes l asked "Who
wants story this snowy morning. Both
turned and eagerly cnorused, "I do, /
do" Me too, a fay stoy," said Little
Mites, who had come in just in time to
hear my question.
The boys drew their chairs close to
mine and gathering Little Mites" in
my arms, said mo, not fairy story
this time, but true one for the boys"
Many years ago when I was called Miss
Annie instead of aunt Ann, l taught
cohn0l ,,,hoE 49,,
down east town. In those days the
teachers didn't board all the time in one
place as now, but boarded round, the
length of time at each place being &C
cording to the number of scholars sent to
school. Not far from one of these board
ing places was lovely little grove and
often after school | took my book and
shawl and went there to read.
"S'awl for, interrupted Little Mites
Oh, l spread it on the ground to sit on
it was before people had got so afraid Of
sitting on the ground and had to be
swung up in the air in these things they
call hammocks One night I saw two
bright, smart-looking boys about your
ages, come into the grove, and without
seeing me they threw themselves on the
ground behind clump of bushes near
by, took some cigars from their pockets,
lit them and began to smoke. In few
minutes one of them started up and
shouted to boy in field close by,
George, come in here-we're having
some fun George leaped the fence and
came bounding through the underbrush,
but as soon as he saw what the fun"
was, stopped. Come along, said Ed, q e
first speaker, we've one more and you
shall have it-they re prime"
No. replied George, have never
smoked and never intend to, for I've
promised mother would never smoke
nor chew
Ho, no, you little baby, run right
home to your mother" said Joe, Eds
" Come come, said Ed, "our mothers
probably wouldn't let us if they knew it,
but we don tintend they shall, and yours
needn't either"
Don't you suppose she would smell
my clothes and breath p Indignantly re-
piled George, and even il she didn't l |
should break my promise to my mother"
saying which he turned and went away
while the boys filled the air
with their jeers and shouts.
Now that was along time ago but you
have just seen George, or the rich Mr..
as you called him, take Ed,
who is now drinking, miserable man,
into his sleigh to save him from falling
into the gutter this cold morning
l paused, and Frank, putting his arm
around hisyounger brother, said well |
keep our promise to mother and try and
be good boys so to make noble men like
Mr.. Manning won't we, Arthur
Yes" he replied, "even if the boys
10 laugh at US sometimes.
And my boys who read this story, do /
you keep your promises to mother? Do
you wish to become temperate, honest,
men? IF so, remember that |
nom is the time to lay the foundation on
which to build the noble structure.
Mime Tg,.,,3ey