Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1885-01-29
A NOBLE BOY.

WAS Wulng Co Help Her.
IF Ethel's ma will let him off from
the dishes, why, he'll 60. If she wants
him. why. he says he will stay at
home. y
This was shouted in a hooking tone
to group of boys who had gathered
on the street corner one Saturday morn
ing.
It was greeted with jeers and laugh
ter.
Before I'd let my mother make such
a girl of me!'' cried one.
'.My mother wouldn't do such a
thing. She says boys place is out of
doors, and not in the kitchen" said an
other.
'.That's just what my mother Thinks"
cried a third, ssWhy, she'd work her.
fingers to the bone before she'd let me
touch broom"
well, !" said fourth boy, and one
who seemed to be the leader among
them, .'if Ed is going to be such
milk-sop as to be satisfied with house
work and baby-tending, we don't want
him along.'
HE used to be the iveliest one
among US" remarked sweet-faced
boy, rubbing his fingers through his
curly locks. 81 wonder if we can't
bring him round. !"
Here he comes now said the first
speaker; '.let's see what we can do
with him.
As he spoke bright-eyed, handsome
boy came around the corner wheeling a
baby-cart.
..Hellor' he shouted, cheerfulIy. II
thought you'd be off by this time
Were waiting for you" answered
the leader. ''Come, Ed, take the baby
home. You're too good fellow to be
toned down into nurse-girl. Come
get your bicycle and come to the park"
.tCome ON, Ed" urged all the boys,
and one added: Il want to try my
new wheeler against yours
Don't plague fellow, boys
laughed Ed; ''of course I'd go If I
could"
''Pshaw, you can go if you want to,
can't you nowP Your mother will
never say No if you ask her,
That's so," said Ed; shell let me
60 if only say the word
''Well, then, what's to hinder?'
Nothing to hinder you that I know
you're hindering us; now come
along, that's good fellow
mo; I've promised mother to wheel
the baby to the park. You go on your
way and I'll go on mine.
You re a silly fellow" said the ring
the crowd.
..You know better, Jake said Ed,
pleasantly, stopping again. you're
pretty fair sort Of a fellow; suppose I
set the case fairly before you, and YOU
decide whether I'm right or wrong
That's feir,'' shouted the, boys
'Let's hear the story" They ranged
themselves like so many crows, on the
fence; Jake took his stand on q horse
block, and Ed stood between
''You know what monstrous fam
lily we have, boys he began. The boys
nodded. .eAnd you know we can't afford
to keep girl. That's our misfortune,
not our fault Mother and the girls
have more than they can do to keep
things straight on ordinary occasions.
But, mind you, to day we have uns4x-
pected company. The chores are my
special duty, Of course, but very often
when they are all done mother and the
girls are still pegging away, and tell
you, boys, fellow that will sit down
and twirl his thumbs while the women
folks are shaving themselves to death
may think himself pretty big, but tell
you he is no man at all. I despise a boy
who would rather see his mother kill
herself than touch dish-cloth I don't
care one whit how much you boys laugh
at me or Ethel me. think heap Of
my mother, can tell you, and I'm
mighty proud to give her a lift OCCASION
ally. If you don't mind the kind of
fellow I am, why just keep your dis
lance. Now, Jake, am I right or wrongp"
Jake hesitated half minute, and
then snatching his hat from his head,
shouted: .sThree cheers for Ed he's
the biggest fellow among us yeti" and
most of the boys joined in the shout
with q hearty good will.
THANK you, boys said Ed, blush
ing to the roots of his hair. "Don't you
ever 60 back on me again, and I'll
promise to Keep even with any of you
on the bicycle, for all my homework. =
Sabbath Home.