The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1886-09-15
The Story of a Hard Fight.


about?" said Mrs. Upton 10 her husband
one morning. They look as wise and
mysterious as though they were eighty
years old instead OF seven and eight. l
hope they re not planning any mischief"
With this the good lady sighed.
Indeed, she had too often had cause to
sigh over two trolicsome lads. They did
not mean to be troublesome or disobedi-
ent, but somehow they had a way of
making plans which often brought an
noyance to their mother and disgrace
upon themselves. This time, however,
they were not plotting mischief. They
were simply considering how they might
help in the work of a Mission Band
which they had joined the day before.
This band had pledged itself to the sup
port of little boy in the school in India.
and each member had promised to give
something from his own earnings or saw
ings for this purpose. Let us listen a
moment to the two brothers as they whis
per together in the corner
We can't give anything from our
savings" says Henry, the elder, for we
have nothing to save. But l II tell you
what, Charley, I've Plan for making
something"
What is it p asks Charley, while his
eyes sparkle.
Well, you know that nice-looking old
gentleman who has Just moved next door.
| saw him yesterday out looking in the
fields for green's, but it was terribly hard
work for him to stoop over. l guess he
has the rheumatism or something. He
asked me if l knew what yellow dock is,
and l showed him some. Now, suppose
we should go there this morning with a
basketful. Don't you think he'd buy it
of us?"
In course he would, answered Char
ley, specially if we should tell what
the money is for.
So the plan was made and carried out
most successfully. Children who live
in the country do not need description
of the slender-leaved weed called dock,
which grows so abundantly in our fields,
and is by many priced as an article OF
food. The two boys filed good-sized
basket with this spring delicacy and
offered it to their new neighbor, who not
only promptly bought it for the sum OF
five cents, but ordered supply for every
morning for mouth.
"Whew !" exclaimed Charley, as they
were scampering home to report their
success. How he must like greens !
But never mind. It's a good thing for
us, isn't it, old fellow p
ITO be sure it is, to be sure. Why !
we'll make enough to buy that little
boys clothes, l should think, for year
I @ish I knew enough 'rithmetic to count
up how much it will come to. Let's ask
Bill when he comes at noon"
Bill, the "hired man" when applied to
dutifully sat about the calculation. He
reckoned thirty days to the month and
announced that the sum would be exact.
ly and precisely one dollar and half.
And that's good deal, he added, "for
little 'uns like you to make"
But you haven't taken out the Sun
days" said Charley. "Of course we
can't work on Sundays
"Of course not !" said Henry, that
would be what mother calls doing evil
that good may come, and maybe she
won t let us work when it rains.
Well, never mind, If you stick TO
your bargain every day when you can,
you'll be able to do your part, and III
count up your money when you get it all
together" This from Bill, who was the
boys oracle. You may look up that
word in the dictionary, if you do not
quite understand what it means.
The boys did stick to their bargain.
One fve-cent piece after another found
its way into the little box set apart for
the treasured earnings. There were but
two very rainy days that month. Max
ing allowance for these and the four Sun
days there must have been, how much in
the box?
"A dollar and twenty cents" some
body answers, and that somebody agrees
with Bill, who slowly and carefully
reached the same result.
What pity it hadn't been fve.cents
more he exclaimed. THAT would have
been ten shillings. Guess Ill have to
give that to make the thing even"
Dear me How guilty Charley looked
then. What could have been the mat
ter will have to tell you.
It had happened that that very morn
ing he had gone alone to carry the last
basketful of greens, and that the old gen
tleman who had proved such good Gus
toner, had rewarded him with ten cents
instead Of fve Poor Charley The
temptation had been too much for him.
He had put half Of the money into his
pocket and the other half into the box.
Nobody would be the wiser, he thought,