Barbour County index. [volume] (Medicine Lodge, Kan.) 1880-current, 1888-05-09
RALPH'S APOLOGY.
The Lesson Taught by n Mothers
Love and Devotion.

As Ralph barrow rode slowly through
the main street OF the little country town
OF Greenfield one September day, feeling
very impatient that the stout oak stick he
carried could not urge old Dolly into a pace
faster than n iog-trot, he heard the big
clock on the Baptist church strike twelve.
with the first stroke the blood spranR TO
his face like a flame; but by the time the
last had struck, he was as pale as Il is
possible for sun-burned country lad 10
become. Twelve O'cloclxl and IL was only
six when he left home after his early break
fast 10 go 20 Silas Ashton's ON an GRAND,
and his mother had urged him 10 make
haste back, reminding him that il was Mon
day, and tho water must be brought from
tho well for the washing Ralph had ex-
Pected 20 be away little more than AN hour,
for II was only two miles 70 the Ashton
farm but after attending TO the errand he
had gone 20 look at Luke Ashton's rabbits,
and then TO try shooting at a target with
brand new pistol, which proved such
interesting sport that the time slipped away
without his really being conscious of IL.
The recollection Of his mothers charge To
return as soon as possible did not occur TO
him until he heard an impatient neigh from
Dolly, grown weary OF standing at the
hitching-post He left then without further
delay, but his conscience troubled him very
much on the way home; and the discovery
that II was twelve o'clock filed him with
dismay. Not only did he feel sure of a Sc
we're whipping from his father, but he knew
his mother must have suffered great anxi-
ETY. about HIM, probably imagining that he
had mot with some accident He was not
surprised as he drew near homo 70 see her
standing at the gate, looking anxiously down
the road.
"Ralph, my dear boy" she said, as soon
as he came within speaking distance. al
have been so worried about you. What kept
you so longin
got 10 shooting at q target with Luke.
and forgot all about the time, mother.i'
answered Ralph, In a low voice. his face ex.
pressing his shame and contrition.
Mrs. barrow was silent "a moment, and
then, az Ralph sprang from the saddle, she
laid her hand tondorly Oh his shoulder.
II am glad, very glad, for your sake,
dear, that your father happens 10 be AWAY,
sho said, gently. "IIo left home lust after
you did, and will not be back until to-mor-
row.
: Ralph drew long breath OF relief.
"But-who drew the water, motherl"
81 drew IL, my SON."
"Oh, mother, and carried il all TO the
housed"
as my NNdlf NutFt was no ono else TO
do II, you know. Your siste rs arc too small
70 help me much"
Not word, not even look, of reproachl
As Ralph led old Dolly to tho barn and
throw down some hay from the loft for her.
ne almost wished his father had not gone
away, for perhaps II no had received n
thrashing he would not have felt so utterly
wrotched as he did now.
A whipping was no novelty 10 Ralph, for
his father was stern, hard man, who be-
loved IN the use of the rod as a means of dis
cipline, and never spared IT, Ralph was an
only son, and a bright talented boy, but he
could not recolloct ever having received n
word OF love or praise from his father,
whom no feared and avoided. But he loved
his gentle, brown-eyed mother. she was
always loving, tender and merciful, and
shielded him from his fathers wrath when
over twas possible for her TO do so, sor-
rowing much that she could not convince
her husband that II was better 10 govern
through love than fear.
As Ralph entered the kitchen after feed
ing Dolly aud saw tho weary, worn look on
his mothers face, he felt more conscious
stricken than ever, and could not eat the
dinner she set before him.
"But Il isn't as II WIS always running
on and having FUN" he said TO himself, try.
ing 20 find excuses for his conduct 81
hardly ever got an hour 10 myself IL il
work, work from morning 20 night, and an
awful crime II I'm idle even ten minutes.
And Il isn't fair. / don't believe any other
fellow would stand Il n single day. And I
might beg on my knees from dawn 20 dark,
aud father wouldn't give me pistol / be-
hevo he'd thrash me II 1 only mentioned
such q thingp
And thinking thus, ralsing up ono by ono
all the injuries OF which he had been the
victim, and comparing his life with that of
several Of his friends, Ralph nj length ar
rived at the conclusion that after all he had
not boon guilty of any thing very wicked i'm
spending the morning at Luke Ashton's
and that he had been foolish TO allow his
conscience 10 trouble him for oven mo
meut
And after that, whenever Il prickcd him
q little, he refused 10 listen 10 II, and felt
angry and impatient that he could not for
get the whole matter. And he offered no
apology to his mother.
80 much would not be expected OF me II
I were not always 80 willing 70 work." he
thought, rcsentfully. "Father ought 70
have n cistern dug, and pump in the kitch-
on, like Mr.. Ashton's. Luke never has 10
bring water from the well. and don't SEQ
why should.
Two or three days after the visit 10 Ash
tons, Ralph had tho misfortune to sprain
his right arm In jumping from beam In
the barn, and In spite Of the most diligent
rubbing with a linlmeut warranted TO cure
al sprains, bumps and bruises In short or
der, he suffered = great deal Of pain and
passed slccplcss night He was standing
In tho barn-yard the next morning feeding
tho hens, when his father came out Of tho.
stable leading the handsome black horse
he always rode whom going on a days Jour
nCy.
This stable Is In very bad condition,
Ralph no said, a. no frightened the girths
of tho saddle. at looks as n il had not
been cleaned for a week. Be sure 10 at
tend to il today. Tho sooner you got at IL
the bettorn
But, father, have spramed my arm.
you know. l couldn't handle a shovel 10
save my life," cried Ralph Cant hire
old Moses to do itr'
mo. 1t is your work, and you must
But, father
"Not another word. air. intarruuted .his