Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1888-05-05

for-me," sobbed out poor little Tom.
Walter wanted to laugh. 1t did seem
so funny to cry about such thing as
that, but Tom was only little boy,
and Walter knew he really did feel bad
about his brothers death, so he just
said:
Never Mid, Tom, l wouldn't cry
about that. There are lots of poor
boys you can give your clothes to. }"
Then, with few more words of COM
I ST, Walter went on his way. Some
how the thought of his breakfast in the
best room" always came before him il
lie dallied on the way to school, or
when sent on any errand.
When Walter was only nine years
old his father died, and although only
a child, good many cares and duties
fell on him. One day his mother said :
Now, Walter, you will have to take
the bay horse to Ryegate and sell him
to your uncle. He promised me $50
for him, and L need the money now. -"
SO he started off on his journey. Eff
teen miles over a strange road seemed
rather long horseback ride for boy
of nine, but in those days even children
had to help with the family work and
income. He had some lunch, and at
noon stopped to rest and eat under n
big tree, where it was nice and shady.
After about an hours rest he mounted
his horse and started off again. When
he reached his uncles he was very
tired little boy, buta good supper and a
nights sound sleep made him ali fresh
again, and the next morning he started
to walk back the fifteen miles, and he
found that even harder than going over
them horseback, but he trudged on,
happy in the thought that he was help
ing mother"
1t took him all day to make the
journey, as he had to stops good many
times to rest. His mother was at the
gate watching for him; she felt it was
good deal to ask of boy SO young,
and anXiously waited his return. When
he reached the gate she said:
well, my brave boy, | am glad to
see you back. don't know what l
should do without you, now the other
boys are away from home"
These words of cheer were very
pleasant to the tired boy; he followed
her in and found nice supper all hot
and ready for him. He ate hearty
meal and soon went to bed very tired,
but happy in the thought that he was
a help to his mother.
The next morning, after doing his
Chores" about the house, he started
Oft to school, but not to a large, hand
some, comfortable building such as
boys go to nowadays. The schoolhouse
he went to was an old cidermill and
corncrib combined, with lot of corn
piled up at one end, held in place by
stats. The children sat on rough
benches made of slabs-that is, rough
These benches had no backs to them
and no desks in front You boys who
get tired in your comfortable seats a.
school, think of these boys and groan
for them, instead of for yourselves!
One day the teacher sent two boys
out for switches to be whipped with
they returned, bringing two heavy
posts.
She said: you naughty boys, what
did you bring these for? Take them
right out and bring some switches"
SO off they went and returned with
the instruments of torture" and they
each got the well-deserved switching.
Walter often worked at waterwheels,
and when a man he made very fine
one that was used to run n sawmill,
and, although he was late to breakfast
sometimes then, he never had to eat
alone in the best room" again. - Pa
cifc R,rat Press.