Orange County observer. [volume] (Hillsborough, N.C.) 1880-1918, 1884-04-26
wondering that his mother lay so still.

II the nclCll!Jors were aston;shed at |
Joel that morning, they might be more |
SO at some things they saw aftervarl: |
but they were not. Everything seemed |
done SO naturally; and the boy evidently !
considered what he had to do so uucl, a |
matter Of course that less sensation was
excited than about many smaller things.
After the funeral was over, Joel tied
up I'll his mothers clothes. He carried
the bundle on one arm, and his sister
on tie other. He would not have liked
10 take money for what lie had seen his
rlotiler wear; but he changedthem away
for new and strong clothes for the child.
He did not seem TO want any help. He
went to the factory the hcAt morning. as
usual, after washing and dressing the
children, and getting a breakfast Of bread
and milk with them. There was 10 fire;
and Lc put every knife and other danger
"us thing on a high shelf, and gave
them some trltics to play with, and
promised to come and play with item at
ainncrtmc. Aud he did play. He
played heartily with the little one, an1
as if lie enjoyed it. every day at noon
hour. Many merry laugh the neigh
bors heard from that room when the three
children were together, and the laugh
was often Jocls.
HowrEc learned to manage, and esrc-
cial!v to cook, nobody knew; and ne
co:lil himself have told little more than
that he wanted to sec how people did it,
ard looked accordingly at every oppor-
tunitv. He certainly fed ihc children
we'll; and himself, too. He knew that
everything depended on his strength
being kept up. His sister sat on bis
l.nce to be fed til she could feed her
self. He was sorry TO give it up; but he
sad she must learn to behave. So he
smoothel her hair, and washed her face
before dinner, and showed her how to
foll her hands while he said grace. He
took as much pains to train her to good
manners at table as if he had been a
governess, teaching little lady. While
she remained a ''baby" he slept in the
middle OF the bed, between the two
| that she might have room, and not be
disturbed; and when she ceased to be q
baby, he silently made new arrange
| ments. He denied himself hat, which
he much wanted, il order to buy con-
siderable quantity OF coarse dark calico,
which, with his own hands he made into
curtain, and slung across a part of the
room; thus shutting off about THIRD, of
It. Here he contrived to make up a lit-
tie bed for his sister; aud he was not
| satisfied till she had a basin and a Jug,
and piece OF soap of her own. Here
nobody brt himself was to intrude upon
I her without leave; and, indeed, he III
ways made her understand that he came
I1onlv to take care Of her. It was not
dressed. A ncighlor or two now and
| hen lifted the latch without Knocking
| Oao Of these one day heard something 6
from behind the curtain, which made
her cali her husband silently to listen;
aud they always afterward treated Joel
rs i; he were man, and one whom they
!acked up to. He was teaching thc
child her little prayer. The earnest,
sweet, dcvout tones 10y the boy, and the
innocent, cheerful imitation Of the little
one, were beautiful to hear, the listeners
said.
Though 50 well talyn care Of, she was
not to be pampered; there would have
been no kindness in that. Very early,
indeed, she WAS taught, III merry sort
of way, TO put things III theirp!aces, and
to sweep the floor, and to wash up The
crockcrv. She was handy little thing,
well trained and tocic. One reward
! that Joel had for his management was,
that she was early fit to go to chapel.
This was great point; rs he, choosing
% send Willy regularly, could not s,
till lie could take the little girl wit
him. She was never known to be rest
less; and Joel was quite proud of her
Willy was not neglected for the little
girls sake. In those days children wen
earlier 10 the factory and worked longel
than they do now, aad by the time III.
sister was i've years old Willy became
factory boy: and his pay lut the little
girl TO school. When she, at seven
went 70 the factory too. Toel's lie wa
altogether an easier one. he AWAY
had maintained them all. from the da,
Of his mothers death. The times mus
wages s,ea6v-or lie conld no: have dor
:. il. Now. when oil three were earning
lie put lis sister to sewing schurl 70
two evenings IN the week ard The Sas
urday afternoons; and he and VIII.
7 attended al evening school, SIS the,
Il found they could afford il. He Away
Il escorted e,iii.le girl wherever she In.
!, i. go; into .he factory. :.>i home again
: to tho school door ard home again, g.,