Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1884-11-01
s. FROSTBURG, MD, NOVEMBER l. 1884.
SELECT STORY.
GOOD, HONEST, FAITHFUL BOY.

y Sch''
and the two houses were an eighth of
& mile apart. The farm on which
Ralph lived WAS large and rich one,
but Ralph was not rich. He was
only poor orphan boy, who worked
for Mr.. Harris, the owner of the farm.
Joe Curtis was an orphan, too. The
farm on which he worked was owned
by Mrs. Douglas, a widow lady. 1t
was small one, so small that some
times this boy was all the help she had.
One night Ralph asked Mr.. Harris
if he might go to the river with Joe.
"Have you done all the chores: -
asked the farmer.
eyes, sir
Now Mr.. Harris knew that if Ralph
said so it was so, and he granted his
request at once.
Ralph found Joe bringing in the
wood for the next morning.
"Joe," he said, "will you ask Mrs.
Douglas if you can go to the river
with me -
Joe gave very ready assent. He
assured Mrs. Douglas that the chores
were all done, and received her per-
mission to 60 with Ralph.
Knowing something of .Joe's habits
Ralph said, just as they reached the
gate, care you sure the chores are all
done :"
eyes, | believe So" was Joe's care
less answer.
"The barn doors are open. Doesn't
Mrs. Douglas expect You to shut
them at night"
sit doesn't make a bit of difference,
and she won't see them, for they are
ont of sight from the house."
81 would shut them if | were in
your place. said Ralph, and then,
the barn reminding him of eggs, he
asked, "llave you brought in the eggs
today
NO, forgot to look. But the hens
don't lay every day, so Mrs. Douglas
won't think anything about it,
lets see if We can find any before
we 90 to the river" said Ralph, 81
like to hunt for eggs"
They went and soon found several,
Ralph, not satisfied with this contin-
ued to look around, and soon discoy-
cred Il nest with ten eggs, of which
Joe had no knowledge.
"Only think. we have found six
teen.' said Ralph, exultmgly, after
counting them. "Worth looking for,
am sure
Two years passed, and each of the
boys went on his own way, Joe neg
Letting his duties with little or no
compunction, if he felt sure his un-
t;lithfulness would not be discovered,
and Ralph performing every duty
carefully; and yet, during this time,
The difference between the two boys
seemed Of little account. Ralph sell
dom got even a word Of appreciation
from Mr.. Harris, and 10 usually con-
trived to escape censure.
Al the end of the two years Mr..
Harris received visit from an old
friend, who was Il very busy man
when at home, and it was great
treat to hlm to spend Il whole week in
quiet country farmhouse. lie was
u close observer, and one thing which
did not escape his notice was the
faithfuln9ss with which Ralph did
all his tasks. He spoke of it to Mr..
Harris.
"les, Ralph is apretty good boy"
said Mr.. Harris, rather carelessly, Us
If it were Il matter of course.
81 wonder you know how few
boys there are as faithful rs he is -
was his friends reply.
! 81 want good, honest, faithful
boy" said a friend to this gentleman
/ about two weeks after his return home.
Did you chance to find such an
article while you were in the coun-
try"
The gentleman's thoughts turned
at once to Ralph, and he answered Z:
81 did see such boy. | never saw
one more faithful and trustworthy
And then he told him all about
Ralph.
"Do you think ! could get him ?"
Every likely you may, if you try.
He did try, and the result was that
Ralph found an excellent situation,
which proved to be the first stepping
stone to successful career in the