Middlebury register. (Middlebury, Vt.) 1886-1937, 1889-03-01


We've hired Sandy to come an cut
up tibet wood, JIM" she said. Your
father thought he could do It better
than you, an then you would hev less
ter do. Never mind cuttin' it now"
Jim slowly dropped the ax. Then
facing his mother, he said, We'll,
mother, then let me help you. Don't
you want some work done fur your
ooh, no, I've very little to do today.
1 don't need any help" was the reply.
So Jim Poulder was forced into
idleness that day. Everything that he
attempted to do, he found that some
body else had engaged to do before
him. Finally, he walked away from
the farm towards the brook, Devil
dered and surprised. He tried to in
terest himself in fishing again, but
after short trial he flung down his
line with disgust. From the brook he
walked on to the clearing in the woods,
but his AK was not in its place, and
everything was silent and still. After
watching a squirrel at play for time,
he then turned his footsteps towards
home again, hoping that his father
had returned from the mill.
He was disappointed in this hope,
and he ate his dinner with his mother,
saying but 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 i'll the woods, he became
disconsolate and lonesome.
ldleness 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 kill the time
and Danish certain thoughts that
would worry him constantly, no mat
ter where he was.
but this is lonesome, he exclaimed
rather emphatically, late in the after
noon, raising himself from the soft,
grassy couch on which he had been
resting. Il do wish l hadn't said any
thing to father bout work. | don't
know what ter do with myself, an l
feel too mean fur anything when I'm
with him. When can a Teller do
among these mountains without he
has work2 never thought of it be-
fore. 1t don't seem right ter be idle
nuther when everything is so bright
and busy. Them fishes and birds amt
idlin', | know. They're workin' to
get somethin to eat. Poor thingsl an
they get caught every time they make
a mistake in their work, an nibble the
wrong food. I'll feed 'em now with
out tryin' to catch EN-"
For brief instant jim Poulder for
got his own lonesomcness in his en-
deavorto make the fishes in the stream
happy, and he leaned over the bright,
gurgling brook as he threw all of his
bait away, and watched it while it
was eagerly devoured by the creatures
of the water.
He did not know that, in this
simple act, he was learning one of the
greatest lessons of life that the best
panacea for ennui is to turn the mind
and energies towards the helping of
others, and thereby making the lot of
sufferers happier and more endurable.
The next morning Jim Poulder was
up bright and early, but his father had
anticipated him, and had already fed
the animals. He could really do moth.
ing before breakfast, and he returned
to the house a little disappointed
though still strong in the resolution
that he had made the preceding day
He had at last become thoroughly dis
gusted with himself, and he meant tc
make his apology by actions as well as
by words.
Father. | want to do my regular
work today" he said, boldly, as he
saw his father getting ready to leave
for the woods. Il am tired of idle
ness.
Mr. Poulder looked at his son for 6
brief instant, while peculiar CLEAN
of satisfaction came into his dark eyes
He did not answer for moment, bu
let the boy have time to hide his blush
ing face from his gaze.
The other day you were tired o
work; now you're tired of play. Ism
that rather contradictory, Jimi"
Yes, but l didn't know what
wanted then. l want to work now
I've got to hev somethin' ter do 1T
too lonesome up here to loaf. 1t don
agree with me-"
The impulsive boy blurted out tn,
sentences so forcibly that his fathe
could not doubt his earnestness, an(
the two rode away to the woods to
gether 1t was clear summers day
and the air was sweet with the seen
of the wild mountain flowers.
Similar days had been enjoyed be
fore in the woods, but none seemed S,
bright to Jim as this particular morn
ing, when he chopped the great tree
down by the side of his father, ant
forgot all of his complaints in hi
work
His two holidays had taught him
lesson that he never forgot, for, afte
all, he concluded that work was tn
greatest blessing that is given to younI
men ON this earth
His love and respect for his fathe
.. were also increased by this little inc!
dent in his monotonous life. lnstea
of reproving him in violent words
, Mr. Poulder had taught him the foil
of his wishes by letting him feel
!. himself, which, after all, is the keeI
est punishment that can be devised
Jim was bright enough to see the sui
tlety of his fathers actions, and b
admired the scheme no less than tn