The Brookhaven leader., 1884-02-21
HOW THE BOYS BROKE 1T TO
MOTHER.

Mrs. Percsford had five boys. And
Doys they were.
How those scapegracos had worried
and tormented their poor mother from
the day of their birth up to the date OF
the events herein recorded.
From twenty. y.seven-year-old Tom
down to six; een-year-old Harry, each
and every one had II his own charac-
triStic way worr ed ard tormented the
poor woman till she was fain to declare
that boys didn't half pay for the trouble
il took to raise them.
The condition of the weather without
YVES slushv aud melting. The Condi-
ton within was very similar, as Mrs.
Reresford threatened to melt into tears
at any moment. Tom, the eldest, her
helper and standby (for her husband
had die when Harry was baby OF
two1. was going to marry. Oh! it was
to awful to be true. Tom was mon
stor Of jngratitude to repNy her twenty
seven years OF toll and trouble in this
manner, moaned this good lady, utterly
forgetting that from the time he was
sixteen years old she had depend d on
and deferred to him, really making him
head Of TIE fam ly. All of the boys
called him "Old Tom," so digniiied and
steady was he.
Toms iather, John Bernsford. of the
wholesale firm of Eeres'ord Bros. was
a man Of the stricte't integrity and rare
business talent. When he died there
were no raverscs 10 be met, no struggle
for the boys. Nothing but an honora-
lie memory and honest money.
Tom continued his college course Un-
Il twenty, when from choice he left to
learn the business with his Uncle Tom
Two years la ef Archie followed his ex-
amnle. and white-harcd In 'le Tom was
" mt 70 say proudly that the old firm
would not lose its name when he passed
over to the silent ma ority.
But Mother Beresford could net be
thankful for her many mercies (as the
loys laughingly called themse'vesl this
afternoon as she stood gazing down the
street, now AMI then a tear slowly roll
ing down her checks. She groaned as
the subject of her thoughts cane into
view followed by the other four. She
was round 10 confess that Tom was
worthy of any woman's love, and she
almost wished that she didn't have so
much reason to be proud of him, and
then perhaps this other woman wouldn't {
have had him. And she seliishly said
to herself she wished he had been re-
fused. she had always thought hand
some. anectionate, teasing Jimmie had
knew it was Tom. And by the time the
boys had entered she was the most alb
iect picture of woe.
"Now, mother" said Harry, "what's
the use OF crying? Toms only going
seven uarcs away, and You ought to
be glad You are going to have such a
n ce daughter"
eyes, mamma, put in Jim, 'you
know you are thankful your next is 60
ing to be a girl. Haven'tyou en- wish
ing for years you had a girl? Why,
POOR mamma, you will only have four
sons left"
''Jim, you dude. shut up" yelled
Frank. "lf it were only you, the
ton
The boys were fond of calling jim
ME "the dude" because of his hand
some proportions and elegant get-up
generally, but it was misnomer.
Always jolly, always in trouble at
school and, up to the time he was eigh-
teen, always in love with half dozen
girls at time. All, but Jim could tell
a tale since that time. but he could
keep eoret, too.
Jim's was the truest heart of all, not
withstandi1g he was such scapegrace,
and his good natured teasing went so
far toward cheering Mrs. Beresford that
she carried smil ng face for dinner.
Archie was little of, Harry s-id,
and asked him if he was going to marry
wife, too. TO which Archie Grossly
responded that he did not propose to
marry husband.
mamma" said the irrepressible,
don't you want brace OF daughters?"
lom looked reprovingly at Harry, and
Jimmie blushed like RI, out OF pure
sympathy for Tom, no doubt.
1t was a custom in the Beresford
mans on that each evening before leav-
ing there should be an informal little
cLat in the parlor. Tonight most un-
aiccountably the three eldest were miss
ing. Tom was d;sturbedto think. that
mother should take it so foolishly hard.
and went off to the sanctum to think it
over. He went so quietly that no one
missed him but Archie, who just as
quietly followed him.
There was the closest sympathy be-
tween these brothers, and poor Tom,
feeling half guilty for worrying mother
So was lust ready for Archie's consol-
ing words.
You see, Arch, she is all that can be
desired in every way, and 1 love her
with my whole soul. am no boy Or
might get over it. OF course, you don't
understand it, Arch" but, to Toms
utter amazement, naughty, ret.cent
archie Beresford dropped his head in
his hands and fairly groaned.
oh! yes, do, Tom. / understand
you perfectly. l am even initiated one
1egree further, for l love girl and she
doesn't love me-
what more night have followed no
one can tell. for the door Of the sane