The Hazlehurst signal., 1884-04-10
THE DISCONTINUED BOY.

THE DISCONTINUED BOY.
II has been said by those who knew
him best that Joc Davis. when at home,
WAS one of the most disoontented boys
that could BE- found in Hampton, and
vet none of the <.Sr fellows could un.
derstand why. II Joc didu't feel Ike
doing up his chores at night, his poor
old mother. although she was not able
10 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 Just rs long rs any one would
remain with him. positive that nothing
would bc said. no matter what time u
ayas when he got home. Then he could
lie In bed until eight o'clock, II 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 u
nice, warm breakfast woul, be- prepared
Ms soon as he should say that he WAS
ready To eat IL.
Every boy in town thought that Joe
was one of the mos, fortunate fellows
In the world. and more than once. when
some Of them were prevented from
joining their companions Mt play. be-
cause OF work Ia bc done, they would
wish that they were In Joe Davis shoes.
But vet Joe was discontenicd. Some.
how, he never seemed to en- Oy his sport
as much as the other fellows did who
were obliged TO do their work before
they could play. and rs for his privilege
Of lying in bed mornings, IL Is certain
tha, he never appreciated II 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 80 anxious TO 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
contcntcd, even though he had much
easier time than his companions. and
he never understood why II was.
But thcrc came day whca Joe lin-
der,toOd fully. and the knowledge
brought with il sorrow from which he
will probably never b. free.
His mother died. Congestion Of tho
lungs, the doctors said. UverwOrk, the
ncishborS decided, and Joe knew that
IL was because she had taken cold one
rainy night when she went after tho
COW. because he, was too busy TO 80.
owing To the faci that he was trying an
experiment with new water wheel nj
the brook.
Now. strange rs IL may seem. the mo.
mcnt Joc's mother was dead. aud he
had 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. h. under
stool all that he hal 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 II an agreeable relief.
He knew that II he had done his work
the hours Of recreation would have been
sweet r; that IL 1t had bcen impossible
for him TO do just as he wanted 10 ut
all times, he would have had more zcst
In his sports when he did have perfect
freedom. In fact. he understood that
IL there was nothing sour Ia this world
II would be impossible to appreciate
sweetness, because therc could be- no
contrast
When IL was too late, Joe realized
how dear kiss from % mother might
be. more especially when accompanied
by the thought that he had done all he
could To make her lifc-burlcn lighter.
He realized, also, that tho best and
truest friend n hoy can ever have Is his
mother, aud Il Is little wonder that
Joe's heart was heavy--that the tears
he she'd did not lessen his grief.
The reason Of Joe Davis sorrow.
which will last through all his life, has
not been told with hny idea that sim
gle boy who reads this has ever me-
elected his mother. although 1t Is just
possible that some Of them have, Mt
times, forgotten to do certain piece Of
work or deliver q message that they
were charged with. chancoi to be
thinking, when I began TO write. OF my
own dear old mother. whose love an !
Kindness has been tried In many ways,
and Of Joe Davis, and II Is not strange
that, with those memories | should
wonder II any other hoy had ever done.
or would do, anything that would cause
him unuttcrable grief when he locke |
upon his mother for tho last timc In
this world.
II Is not that our mother has died that
we should grievc necessarily. for hers Is
NIL the JOY, all the triumph. since she
has fou ykt the good fight, and, safe In
her Fathers mansion, whore never can
pain or sorrow enter. is happy beyond
tho power OF worls to tell. But II, when
she has gone down into tho dark valley
OF the shadow Of death, nny Of US re-
member an unkind word. forgotten
task that caused her sorrow, q slight or
neglect, there comes 70 i1 such pain
as IL hard to bear; for. In this world 1t
can never DO unsaid or undone.
Now, boys, when you get discomfort
ed with your home or anything about
| II, stop and think II your discQntcnt
docs mt como from the fact thh you
arc getting less work with your play
than il good for you. Look about 10
see II you can not find something To do
which shall make you feel better after
It Is done; and. sbovs all. remember
that contentcd heart comes from
knowledge of some COOL accomplished.
No fellow who truly loves his mother.
who docs all he can ~ hclp her. who Is
willing to give up his pleasure for hers.
will ever be DIS Ontentel at home. And
no fellow who does al this will ever
| feel ns JOe Davis does to-day. oven
though he is now y man, as be rcmem-
bers that his discou,cnt camc from uct-
ual neglect Of his dear old mother.
But there II really no need OF writing
| sII fila for NJ cotirxa mn fellow nOWn n