St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1884-03-27
DiscomIented Boys at Home.

was one of the most discontinued boys
that could be found in Hampden, and ,
vet none of the other fellows could I'M
derstand why. If 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 coasting or skating
the moment he had finished his supper,
and stay just as long As any one would
remain with him, positive that moth
ing would br 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 Ice 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,
because of work to he done, they would
wish that they were in Joe Davis's
shoes But yet Joe was disconnected.
Somehow, he never seemed to enjoy
his sport as much as the other fellows
did who were obliged to do their work
before they could play, and as for his
privilege of lying in bed mornings, 1t
is certain that he never appreciated 1t
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 to save her any labor,
when 10y 50 doing they were losing a
game of ball, or the first of the coast
inc. In fact. he was thoroughly dis
coutentcd, even though he had a much
easier time than his companions, and
he never understood why it was.
But there came day when joe un-
derstood fully, and the knowledge
brought with it 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 go.
owing to the fact that he was trying
an experiment with new water wheel
at the brook.
Now, strange as it may seem, the
moment Joe's mother was dead, and
he had kissed the cold lips that would
never more answer him and pressed
the white hands that had grown rough
aud calloused working for him, he un-
derstood all that he had wondered at
before. 1t seemed to him that his play
had not been as enjoyable as was the
other fellows because he had not had
the tasks to make it an agreeable re-
lief He knew that if he had done his
work the hours of recreation would
have been swerter; that if 1t had been
impossible for him to do Just as he
wanted to at all times, he would have
had more zcst in his sports when he
did have perfect freedom. In fact, he
understood that if there was nothing
sour in this world it would be impOsSi
BILE to appreciate sweetness, because
there could be no contrast.
When it was too late, Joe realized
how dear Il kiss from a mother might
he, more especially when accompanied
by the thought that he had done all he
could to make her life-burden lighter.
He realized also, that the best and
truest friend boy can ever have is his
mother and it is little wonder that Joe's
heart was heavy that the tears he
shed did not lessen his grief.
The reason of Joe Davis's SORROW,
which will last through all his life, has
not been told with any idea that IA
single boy who reads this has ever neg
lected his mother, although it is just
possible that some of them have, at
times, forgotten to do IA certain piece
of work or deliver n message that they
were charged with. | CHANGED to be
thinking, when | began to write, of
my own dear old mother, whose love
and kindness has been tried in many
ways, and of Joe Davis, aud it is not
should wonder if any other boy had
ever done, or would do, anything that
would cause him unutterahle grief
when he looked upon his mother for
the last time in this world.
1t 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 if, when she has gone down
into the dark valley of the shadow of
death, any of US remember an unkind
word, forgotten task that caused her
sorrow, Il slight or Il neglect. there
comes to us such ii pain AS is hard to
bear for, in this world it can never be
unsaid or undone.
Now, boys, when You get discomfort
ed with your home or anything about