Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1885-05-12
MISCELLANEOUS.
Good, Honest, Faithful Boy.


next door neighbors. The doors
were not very near, for both lived on
farms 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 sometimes this boy was all the
help she had.
One night Ralph asked Mr.. Harris
if he might go to the river with Joe.
f" Have you done all the chorcs?"
asked the farmer.
Yes, 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 go with Ralph.
Knowing something of Joe's habits
Ralph said, just as they reached the
gate, '' Are you sure the chores arc
all done?"
Yes, 1 believe SO" was Joe's
careless answer.
1.-The barn doors are open. Doesn't
Mrs. Douglas expect you to shut
them at night?''
<" 1t doesn't make bit of differ
encc, and she won't sec them, for
they are out of sight from the house."
81 would shut them if 1 were in
your place." said Ralph, and then,
the barn reminding him of eggs, he
asked, "Haye you brought in the
eggs to-day?"
g No, I forgot to look. But the
hens don't lay every day, so Mrs.
Douglas won't think anything about
it."
Let's see if we can find any be-
fore VIC go to the river said Ralph,
st like to hunt for eggs"
They went and soon found several,
Ralph, not satisfied with this contin.
ued to look around and soon discov-
cred nest with ten eggs, of which
Joe had no knowledge.
Only think! we have found six
teen!" said Ralph, -exuItingly, after
counting them. {" Worth looking
for, I am sure"
Two years passed, and each Of the
boys went on his own way, Joe neg
lecting his duties with little or no
compunction, if he felt sure his un-
faithfulness 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 Joe usually
contrived to escape censure.
At the end of the two years Mr..
Harris received visit from an old
friend, who was a very busy man
when at home, and it was a great
treat to him to spend whole week in
quiet country farmhouse. He was
close observer, and one thing which
did not escape his notice was the
faithfulness with which Ralph did all
his tasks. He spoke of it to Mr.. Har-
ris.
"Yes, Ralph is a pretty good boy" /"
said Mr.. Harris, rather carelessly, as
if it were a matter of course.
'' I wonder if you know how few
boys there are as faithful as he is?"
was his friends reply.
81 want a good, honest, faithful
boy" said friend to this gentleman
about two weeks after his return
home.
sDid you chance to find such an
article while you were in tie coun-
hy?'
The gentleman's thoughts turned
at once to Ralph, and he answered: /:
'sI did see such boy. I never saw
one more faithful and trustworthy. y
And then he told him all about Ralph.
/" Do you think could get him? %
Very likely you may, If yout try -
He didstry, and the result was that
Ralph found an excellent situation,