The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1889-03-16

that day. Every thing that he attemntad 70
do, he found that somebody else had engaged
to do before him. Finally, he walked awe,
from the farm towards the brook, bevv;i.
dered! and surprised. He tried to interest
himself in fishing again, but after short
trial be flung down his line with dispust
From the brook he walked on to the clear.
ing in the woods, but his axe was not in he
place, and every thing was silent and attn
After watching a squirrel at play for a time
he then turned his footsteps towards bomo
again, hoping that his father had returneS
from the mill.
He was disappointed in this hope and he
ate his dinner with his mother, saying hut
little, but thinking much. The afternoon
was more dreary than the morning. He
was left alone to do as he pleased, and after
exhausting his few pleasures in the woods.
he became disconsolate and lonesome,
Idleness was something unsuited to one of
his restless nature, although it was what he
had been longing for for weeks past. Now
that he had it to his hearts content he
wished for some work that would kin the
time, and Danish certain thoughts that
would worry him constantly, no natter
where he was.
But this Is lonesome, he exclaimed.
rather emphatically, late in the afternoon.
raising himself from the soft, grassy couch
on which he had been resting. II dowish
l hadn't said any thing to father 'boutwork.
| don't know what ter do with myself an,
l feel too mean fur any thing when Pm
with him. What can feller do among
these mountains without he has work. l
never thought of it before. 1t don't seem
right ter be idle nuther when every thing is
so bright and busy. Them fishes 4nd brds
amt idlin', know. They're worklhks6
somethin' to eat. Poor things an thevT
caught every time they make amstal In
their work. an nibble the wrong food FL
feed 'eu now without tryin' tccatcb 'em"
For brief instant Jim Poulder fofgot his
own lonesomeness in his endavor to make
the fishes in the stream hppy, and he
leaned over the bright, CURLING brook as
he threw all Of his bait ava, and watched
it while it was eagerly dSoured by the
creatures of the water. H,did not know
that, in this simple act, he vas learning one
of the greatest lessons of lfe; that the best
panacea for ennui is to turn the mind and
energies towards the helnng of others, and
thereby making the lot o. sufferers happier
and more endurable.
The next corning jim Poulder was up
bright and early, but his father had antici-
pated him, and had already fed the ami
mails. He could really do nothing before
breakfast, and he returned to the house a
little disappointed, though still strong in
the resolution that he had made the pre-
ceding day. He had at last become thor
oughly disguised with himself, and he
meant to make his apology by actions as
we'll as by words.
Father, want to do my regular work
to-day" he said, boldly, as he saw his father
getting ready to leave for the woods. "pm
tired of idleness."
Mr.. Poulder looked at his son for briei
instant, while a peculiar CLEAN of satisfac
ton came into his dark eyes He did moi
answer for moment, but let the boy have
time to hide his blushing face from his gaze
THE other day you were tired of work
now you're tired of play. Isn't that rather
contradictory, Jimr'
"Yes, but l didn't know what / wanted
then. ardnt TO cork nor. I've got to hey
somethin' ter do. It's too lonesome up herr
to loaf. 1t don't agree with me-"
The impulsive boy burted out the sentence
so forcibly that his father could not doub
his earnestness, and the two rode away u
the woods together. 1t was clear sun
mer's day, and the air was sweet with tie
scent of wild mountain flowers. SimilI
days had been enjoyed before in the woods,
but none seemed so bright to Jim aTz1si
particular morning, when he chopped the
great trees down by the side of his father
and forgot all of his complaints in his work.
His two holidays had taught him Lesson
that he never forgot, for, after all, he con-
cluded that work was the greatest blessing
that is given to young men on this earth
His love and respect for his father we're
also increased by the little incident in his
monotonous life. Instead of reproving him
in violent words, Mr. Poulder had taught
him the folly of his wishes by letting him
feel it himself, which, after all, is the keen
est punishment that can be devised. Jim
was bright enough to see the subtlety of
his fathers actions, and he admired the
scheme no less than the originator of it,
George Ethelbert Walsh, in Youths Com
panion.