Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1882-03-17

"See here, Jack, he Sall. You
look blue as indigo, Now, there moth
ing can warm fellow up like skating,
and YOU Just put on these skates oi
mine and cut across the pond for 4 few
minutes. and then L II take you home to
get a warm breakfast, and mother II
talk to you. I'm going home = minute,
and you meet me here when l come
back: but. mind you. let me find you
with red cheeks, or I'll know YOU
haven't been skating. Hurry up. now
The smile of genuine pleasure which
broke all over Jack face made Harry 5
heart glad. and presently he saw the
drunkarl's child enjoying himself i'll
true boy-fashion for the first time in
many year of sorrow, as he buckled
on the new skates and joined, I'M
noticed, the crowd of skaters on the
pond.
Meanwhile Harry ran home and re-
lated to his mother the whole STORY.
Her warm heart was As easily touched
as her boy : had been, and giving him
permission to bring Jack home for some
breakfast she sent him with loving
kiss over the road again. and then had
IL tstih W III bVOA ivy
whose Thanksgiving Day had dawned
SO sadly. Jack was on his way back
from the pond, after having warmed
himself and his heart in the exercise he
so liked, when gentleman overlook
him and kindly remarked, in passing:
why, my boy, You re thinly dressed
for such day. aren't you:?'
Jack cOlored painfully.
"rm not cold now, sir. since Eve
been skating; but was nearly frozen,
and am very poor"
But you've nice pair of skates.
How did you get these? Sold your jack
ct for them, may be, eh?'
"Oh, no, indeed, sir. These are
Harry Archer's skates, and hope God
will bless him, sir. for his kindness to
me this day.
And Jack related the story to the
gentleman. To his surprise the gentle
man responded to his story with 4
hearty: BLESS the boy, he's triumph"
And Just rs he was wondering what it
meant, he saw Harry running to meet
him.
II say, Jack, it's all right. Mother
SAYS you're to come - Halloa, Uncle
Hal! you here SO early? Why. Jack,
| you been talking to Uncle Hal?"
And then Harry seized his uncle
hand and gave wild whoop after his
usual fashion when anything pleased
him. Jack explained to Harry rs they
| walked home. And when he had break
tasted beside warm fire little later,
Harry's father called him out to the
barn and had long talk with him
there. which resulted in his being en-
gagged as stable-boy and to assist the
coachman. In an old, but good suit
of clothes belonging to Harry. Jack
presented very comfortable appear
ance, and Harry's delight knew no
bounds. But that night, after all the
company had gone. there was a timid
| knock at Mrs. Archer's door, and Jack
was found outside.
"Please, lady," he said, 'Icouldn't
sleep tonight until l canD to ask you
if you would mind saying prayer for
me. want to thank God, only dom t
know how exactly, for giving me a
happy Thanksgiving Day. This morn
ing when saw the sun rise didn't see
what had to be thankful for; but now
it is all changed, and l feel so thankful
here, ma'am," laying his hand on his
heart. .'that I must hear you thank
God for me and teach me how to do 80,
too"
When he had gone, Mrs. Archer went
up to her boys room and knelt beside
his bed.
"My darling. tell me why you did
for Jack what he has told mo you did
this morning. hadn't heard about
YOUR giving up your skating before. l
thought he was just waiting there for
you. And you had anticipated your
race on the pond so long. My dear lit
tie son!'
And she folded her arms about him
closely. Harry blushed little, but the
true answer came at last:
"You taught me the prayer. mamma,
you know. And so did to Jack Just
what l would have wanted somebody to
do to me if had been poor and cold
and sad, and had no mother. DO unto
Others it says, you know, and so Ii
only just did it. that's all. mamma. But
oh. hasn't it been jolly Thanksgiving
DayP"- Mary D. Brine, in Illustrated
Christian Weekly.