The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1886-06-09
Let Us Be Kind.

"Come, Nell, run down to the post
office and get the papers, said Mr.. Wat
kins in coaxing tone to his fourteen
year-old daughter, who was sitting in a
hammock, deep in an interesting story.
Two little wrinkles gathered in the
young girls forehead as she said, pout-
ingly, ooh, dear, father, don t want to
now I'm reading"
Now, that's good girl" coaxed the
father. Come, want to see the news
You're younger than l am"
al should think you might wait till
Uncle James goes, and he can get the
mail" Nell argued fretfully.
Perhaps Uncle James won't go to-
day and want the papers" said Mr.
Watkins, shade of sternness in his
voice.
"Well, L suppose I'll have to go" Nell
declared, petulantly, rising from the
hammock .snd. losing her.book relpctant
ly She went INTO the house fof her hat.
When she came out moment zlater,
ready to start for the Office, DIR. Newhall
who had been calling on her invalid
mother, said with a smile: Going to the
office, Miss Nell? Wait minute and
I'll give you a ride there"
Half ashamed for fear the doctor had
heard her petulant replies to her father,
Nell waited while the horse was brought
around
Soon the young girl was seated in the
chaise, bowling merrily along beside the
kind old doctor, laughing in spite of her.
self at his funny jokes. Dl. Newhall
knew well how to entertain young peo-
pie, and was much beloved by them. All
the boys and girls thought it great treat
to ride with the doctor.
After short silence the doctor said
gravely, "Nell, I've a little story to tell
you" And then to the gray horse,
"Whoa, Billy; slowly down the hill"
Zone day when l was a boy of thir
teen, the doctor began, " l was coming
from school with the other lads of my
age. For a week or more we had been
planning to go swimming in the pond
below my fathers house the first warm
day. And that was Just the day for it
at last-hot and muggy.
" We were hurrying along, so as to
have our swim before supper. The school
house was about two miles from our
house, on the outskirts of the village.
When nearly home we met my faith
er on the road into town, carrying bun
die. He stopped me. 1 wish you could
take this package to the village for me,
jim, he said, hesitatingly.
I'M sure l looked disappointed and
my first impulse was to refuse, and rather
Grossly. But father had not been quite
well for a week, and if l didn't go he
would and he was good, kind father.
Something stopped the petulant word
-one of Gods good angels, l think.
"'Of course, father, I'll take it, I said
quite cheerfully Never mind boys,
I'll 90 swimming some other night.
Father gave me the package. THANK
you, jim, he said I'm sorry to have
you lose your pleasure. was going to
the village myself, bat somehow dom
feel very strong to-day
He walked with me to the road that
turned off to the town, giving me some
directions about delivering the package.
When he was turning away he put his
hand on my arm, saying again, Thank
you, my son. You've always been good
boy to me, jim
81 hurried into town, and back again.
When / came near the house, / saw some
Of the neighbors standing about the door
and hurrying forms inside the house.
One Of the men came to me, the tears
rolling down his face. Your father, he
said, fell dead Just as he reached the
house after he left you
I'm an old man now, Nell, but I've