The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1888-05-19

VIC NlCiult anu comparing LIS blo Will
that of several of his friends, Ralph at
length arrived at the conclusion that after
all he had not been guilty OF anything
very wicked in spending the morning at
Luke Ashton's, and that he had been
foolish to allow his conscience to trouble
him for even moment.
And after that, whenever it pricked
him little, he refused to listen to it, and
felt angry and impatient that he could
not forget the whole matter. And he Of
fered no apology to his mother.
$50 much wouldn't be expected of me
if I were not always SO willing to work"
he thought. resentfully. "Father ought
to have cistern dug, and pump in the
kitchen, like Mr.. Ashton's. Luke never
has to bring water from the we'll, and I
don't see why should"
Two or three days after the visit to
Ashton's, Ralph had the misfortune to
sprain his right arm in jumping from a
beam in the barn, and in spite of the
most diligent rubbing with IMMINENT
warranted to cure all sprains, bumps and
bruises in short order, he suffered great
deal OF pain and passed a sleepless night.
He was standing in the barn-yard the
next morning feedn the hens, when bis
| father came out Of the stable leading the
handsome black horse he always rode
when going on days journey.
"This stable is in very bad condition
Ralph" he said, as he frightened the girts
of the saddle. cit looks as il it had not
been cleaned for week. Be sure to at
tend to it to-day. The sooner you get at
it the better"
"But, father, have sprained my arm
| you know. I couldn't handle shovel to
save my life," cried Ralph. "Can't hire
old Moses to do it p
mo. Tt is your work, and you must
do it."
"But, father"
"Not another word, sir" interrupted
his father, in tone which always sent
the blood from Ralph's heart. 81 want
the work done, and I want you to do it.
Your sprained arm is merely an excuse to
be idle. IL this stable is not cleaned
when I return tonight / will give you
cause to regret it and positively forbid
your allowing old Moses to touch it."
He sprang on his horse, and rode off at
gallop, headless that his son had sunk
upon heap of laths. and had covered
his face with his h snds to conceal the
tears that started to his eyes.
| Mrs. barrow had been standing by the
kitchen window and had heard all that
had passed. She now came to where
Ralph lay, and bent lovingly over him.
sit would not be possible for you to
use your arm, know, my son." she said.
at would be of no use to try"
ooh, mother, it gives me pain to move
| it ever so little. But what can do You
know how terribly father will whip me
if the work isn't done, and he won't be-
lieve I'm not able to do it,"
"Don't worry about it now, Ralph.
We will try to find way out of it. I
want you to go to Greenfield after some
groceries I need, and when you return
we will talk about the stable"
"Talking won't do any good, I'm afraid,
mother" replied Ralph, as he rose, and
went to put the harness on Dolly. Sand
must take the whipping, I suppose"
He drove to the kitchen-door on his re-
turn from the village two hours later.
and lifted from the light wagon the bas-
ket of groceries he had brought.
Where is mother p he asked of his
little sister Jennie, who was skipping
rope in the back yard.
81 don't know-she's been gone ever
SO long," answered the little girl. 81
guess she's in the stable hunting eggs"
As old Dolly's hoofs struck the stones
of the paving at the entrance to the barn
yard, the doors of the stable were thrown
open, and Ralph saw his mother stand
ing inside, shovel in her hand.
"Back so soon, Ralph p she said cheer
lily.
But Ralph did not answer. He sprang
from the wagon, gave hurried look
about the stable, and then, with strange
SMOKING sen sation in his throat, threw
himself upon pile of hay by the barn
stairs, and burst ito tears.
"Ralph Ralph my dear boy " and
his mother bent over him, her own tears
falling fast.
"Oh, mother mother Why, why did
you do it ?" he cried, when he could
speak.
because I love you, my son, and would
save you from punishment you do not
deserve. 1t was not SO very much to do,
my dear; am not SO tired as you sup
pose."
"Not very much Oh, mother, it was
hundred times too much to do for me-"
and then Ralph sat up, and with his
arms about his mothers neck, uttered in
broken words that apology he had longed
but been too proud to make
And what load was off his mind
when it was done, and his mothers ten
der kiss of forgiveness was on his cheek
You may be sure that as long as he had
a home beneath his fathers roof, Ralph
never again neglected duty to his