The Wellington enterprise. [volume] (Wellington, Ohio) 1867-188?, 1884-04-16
THE pIsCONTENTEp BOY.


him best that Joe Davis, when at home,
was one of the most discontented boys
that could be found in Hampden, and
yet none of the other fellows could un-
derstand why. II Joe didn't feel like
doing up his chores at night, his poor
old mother; although she was not able
TO do such work, would bring in the
wood and water, milk the COW, prepare
the kindlings, and never scold or com
plain.
Joe could 90 out coas.ing or skating
the moment he had finished his supper,
and stay ,ust as long as any one would
remain with him, positive that nothing
would be said, no matter what time it
was when he got home. Then he could
lie in bed until eight O'Clock, if he
didn't chance to feel like getting up
earlier, for he knew that not only would
his work be done for him, but that a
nice, warm breakfast would be prepared
as soon as he should say that he was
ready to eat it.
Every boy in town thought that Joe
was one of the most fortunate fellows
In the world, and more than once, when
some of them were prevented from
joining their companions. at play, be-
cause of work To be done, they would
wish that they were in Joe Davis shoes.
But yet Joe was disconteuted. Some
how, he never seemed to en- oy his sport
as much as the other fellows did who
were obliged 10 do their work before
they could play, and as for his privilege
of lying in bed mornings, il is certain
that ne never appreciated it fully.
He never could seem to understand
why some Of the other boys always
kissed their mothers before they went
out of the house, nor why they should
be so anxious 10. save her any labor,
when by 80 doing they were losing q
game Of ball, or the first Of the coast
ing. In fact, he was thoroughly dis
contented, even though he had much
easier time than his companions, and
he never understood why it was.
But there came day when Joe un-
Gerstood fully, and the knowledge
brought with II q sorrow from which he
will probably never be free.
His mother died. Congestion Of the
lungs, the doctors said. Overwork, the
neighbors decided, and Joe knew that
it was because she had taken cold one
rainy night when she went after the
COW, because he was too busy to 90,
owing to the fact that he was trying an
experiment with new water wheel at
the brook. ..--..
Now, strange as it may seem, the mo-
ment Joe's mother was dead, and he
bad kissed the cold lips that would new
or more answer him, and pressed the
white hands that had grown rough and
calloused working for him, he under
stood all that he had wondered at be-
fore. II seemed 10 him that his play
had not been as enjoyable as was the
other fellows because he had not had
the tasks 20 make il an agreeable relief.
He knew that II he had done his work
the hours OF recreation would have been
sweet"r; that if it had been impossible
for him TO do Just as he wanted TO at
all times, he would have had more zest
in his sports when he did have perfec,
freedom. In fact. he understood that
II there was nothing sour In this world
II would be impossible to appreciate
sweetness, because there could be no
contrast.
When IL was too late, Joe realized
how dear a kiss from a mother might
DO, more especially when accompanied
by the thought that he had done all he
could 10 make her life-burden lighter.
He realized, also, that the best and
truest friend hoy can ever have is his
mother, aud it is little wonder that
Joes heart was heavy-that the tears
he shed did not lessen his grief.
The reason Of Joe Davis sorrow,
which will last through all his life, has
not been told with any idea that sim
gle boy who reads this has ever ne
elected his mother, although it is just
possible that some of them have, at
times, forgotten to do certain piece OF
work or deliver message that they
were charged with. | CHANGED to be
thinking, when began to write, Of my
own dear old mother, whose love AMI
kindness has been tried in many ways,
and Of Joe Davis, and 1t is not strange
that, with those memories | should
wonder II any other boy had ever done,
or would do, anything that would cause
him unutterable grief when he looked
upon his mother for the last time in
this world.
II is not that our mother has died that
we should grieve necessarily, for hers Is
all the Joy, all the triumph, since she
has fought the good fight, and, safe in
her Fathers mansion, where never can
pain or sorrow enter. is happy beyond
the power OF words TO tell. But II, when
she has gone down into the dark valley
of the shadow of death, any of us re-
member an unknd word, forgotten
task that caused her sorrow, a slight or
neglect, there comes TO us such pain
as Is hard TO bear; for, in this world II
can never be unsaid or undone.
Now, boys, when YOU get discomfort
ed with your home or anything about
II, stop and think il your discomfort
does not come from the fact that you
are getting less work with your play
than is good for you. Look about 10
see II You can not find something to do
which shall make you feel better after
II Is done; and, above all, remember
that a contented heart comes from
knowledge OF some good accomplished.
No fellow who truly loves his mother,
who does all he can to help her who Is
willing TO give up his pleasure for hers,
will ever 10 d's,ontented at home. And
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