The Maryville times. (Maryville, Tenn.) 1884-1944, 1885-07-23
AN "iNTENDER."

figures there were across the slate. II
you have ever puzzled over long ex-
amples, as Hervey was doing over one
which had kept him busy, without re-
suit, for an hour, you may. perhaps,
sympathize with him.
Hervey now frowned at the figures,
over at the goldfish in the globe and up
at the frescoed ceiling over his head.
He gave weary sigh, drew long.
idle, discontinued breath. Then he
started up and bent over the slate. and
multiplied, and divided. and did all that
the puzzling example required until the
last figure was down as it should be,
end he leaned back with gay little
whistle and pleasant face.
Aunt Edith reused up from her bit of
nap, and looked to see what the boy
was doing. Likely she was thinking,
and signing, saying to herself: whist
ling as usual, instead of working"
but she only closed her eyes again, and
Hervey came and stood beside her, fold
ing his arms in resOlute fashion and
looking-well. not exactly like tho
usual nervey.
"Auntie," he sad, glancing rather at
the floor than at Aunt Edith's face,
which now lighted up with a half
waking, loving smile, which belonged
to Aunt Edith herself and to nobody
else--fOr who had smile like Aunt
Edith's sweet smile" Auntie. it is
mean and miserable to be an intender."
"A what, dear?" inquired Aunt
Edith, not understanding.
"An intender." IaM
"And what is an intender. dearp" in
quired Aunt Edith again.
IAN intender is somebody who means
to do things, but does not do them"
"What kind of thingsp"
"All kinds Of right things"
Poor Hervey. How sorry Aunt Edith
was over him every day. He intended
to be early at breakfast; he intended to
say his verse before eating. punctually
and promptly; he intended to be dill
| gent at school, patient with his school
mates, observant of rules; he intended
to be studious at study hour, obedient
at all times No one ever heard Her
| vey refuse to promise to do right, but
| Auntie could not help knowing that
Hervey himself was an intender.
| ITO do is better than to intend to do,
DEAR" replied Aunt Edith, a little sadly.
| "You do not say an intender is mean
and hOrrid, because you know I am
one"
, "You are young, dear; you do
seem likely to be an 'intender,' but
have faith in you to believe you will be
Q dOer"
"What makes you think 20. Aunt
Edith? l disappoint you every day."
IL think 80 because you are not
happy as an intcnder. and because you
can not honorably serve our dear Father
and be anything else than doer."
! "But. Aunt Edith, it is so hard ia
keep doing, and don't keep on" Her
vey half stamped his foot with the last
words; he was so in earnest.
mo, you do not keep on"
! Then what makes you think l ever
will?" IT
1T 10 impossible to love our Father
and not do His will"
"But-- may be l do Eot love Him. y
Hervey's eyes were bent to the f1ool
and his lips quivered as he added
"How you believe in me-" straighten.
ing up again and folding his arms
tighter over his breast.
''Yes. Fbelieve in you." said Aunt
intender."
Il have made you . great many
promises; il I could think Of them hall
the time I would keep them. Do you
think ! will ever get to remember them
betterP"
.Oh, yes; am very sure of it."
DO you know, Aunt Edith, can mol
see how you can be sure Of anything
about me except that am . miserable
intender."
Aunt Edith was looking ON the floor
she did not raise her eyes, she seemed
TO be deep in thought.
"How do you think I will get out o.
It allp' inquired Hervey, still standin,
with his arms crossed and . resolution
showing in the whole boy, which Aun
Edith had prayed for every day, bu
had never seen before.
"Out Of what. deare" she inquired
with one Of her loving smiles which
told, without words, how dear he va
to her.
Out of all the intender' business.
"You will start by remembering on,
promise better, and after you hav'
prscticed upon that awhile you viii re
member another"
"What else?" %
: You will overcome one TROUBLESOME
habit, and then you will overcome an
other, and 20 ON until you get to be
doer."
\: II would like to be one all at once.
II "A tree never grew to b tree il
one night; an intender' never grew t
b doer in one day."
i but can try"
by all means try to do right ever
minute Of every day, but do not be dis
! Outraged Il you only get along slowl
y Tor awhile"
"And you think I can be 'doer?'
II never said So" Aunt Edith smile
l. at his puzzled face. Il said you woul
: not continue to be an intender."