The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1888-08-22
FaithfulneSS.

Ralph Warner and Joe Curtis were
next-door neighbors. The doors were
not very near. for both lived on farms
and the two houses were the eighth o.
a mile apart. The farm on which
Ralph lived was not rich. He was only
apoor 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 onwed by
Mrs. Douglas, a widow. 1t was 8
small one, so small that sometimes this
boy was all the help she had.
One night Ralph asked Mr.. Harris
If he might 60 to the river with Joe.
"Have you done all the chores {"
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 can go to the river with
me?"
Joe gave ready assent. He assured
Mrs. Douglas that the chores were all
done, and received her permission to
go with Ralph.
Knowing something of Joe's habits
Ralph said, just as they reached the
gate, "Are you sure that the chores
are all done?"
eyes, believe so," was Joe's care
less answer.
"The barn doors are open. Doesn't
Mrs. Douglass expect you to shut them
at night?"
'It doesn't make bit of difference,
and she won't see them, for they are
out of sight from the house."
II should shut them, if were in
your place." said Ralph, and then the
barn reminding him of eggs, heasked,
"Have you brought in the eggs to-
day."
"No, forgot to look. But the hens
don'tlay every day, so Mrs. Douglas
won't think anything about it."
"Let's see if we can find any, be-
fore we 60 to the river" said Ralph.
II like to hunt for eggs"
They went, and soon found several
Ralph, not satisfied with this, con.
tinued to look around, and soon dis
covered nest with ten eggs of which
Joe had no knowledge.
"Only think |" we have found six
teen ~ said Ralph, exultingly, after
counting them. "Worth looking for
I am sure"
Two years passed, and each of the
boys went on his way; Joe neglectins
his duties with little or no compunc
ton, if he felt sure his unfaithful
ness would not be discovered, anG
Ralph performing every duty care
fully; and yet, during this time, the
difference between the two boys seem
ed of little account. Ralph seldom go
even word of appreciation from Mr.
Harris, and Joe usually contrived to
escape censure.
At the end of the two years Mr.
Harris received a visit from all ole
friend, who was a very busy NAL
when at home, and it was grea
treat to him to spends whole week in {
quiet country farm house. He was
close observer, and one thing which
did not escape his notice was the faith
fulness with which Ralph did all hi
tasks. He spoke of it to Mr. Har
ris.
eyes, Ralph is pretty bood boy
said Mr.. Harris, rather carelessly, as j
it were matter of course.
IT wonder if you know how few
boys there are as faithful as he is p
was his friends reply,
"Iwant a good, honest, faithful boy,
said q friend to this gentleman abou
two weeks after his return home
"Did you chance to find such all ar
ticle while you were in the country p
The gentleman's thoughts turned a
once to Ralph, and he answered, 81
did see such a boy. I never saw one
more faithful and trustworthy" Anc
then he told him all about Ralph.
"Do you think could get him ?"
Every likely you may, if you try
He did try, and the result was tina
Ralph found an excellent situation