The Caldwell tribune. [volume] (Caldwell, Idaho Territory [Idaho]) 1883-1928, 1889-11-16
RALPH'S APOLOGY.
The Lesson Taught by . Mothers Love
and Devotion.


and Devotion.
AZ Ralph barrow rode slowly through
the main street OF tho little country
town OF Greenfield one September day,
feeling very impatient that the stout
oak stick he carried could not urge old
Dolly into pace faster than jog-trot,
he heard the big clock an the Baptist
church strike twelve.
With the first stroke the blood sprang
to his face like flame; but by the time
the last had struck, he was as pale as
1t Is possible for sun-burned country
lad to become. Twelve CLOCK! and 1t
was only six when he left home after
his early breakfast to 60 to Silas Ash
toms on an errand; and his mother had
urged him to make haste back, remind
ing him that it was Monday, and the
water must be brought from the well
for the washing. Ralph had expected
TO DO away little more than an hour,
for it was only two miles to the Ashton
farm; but after attending to the erranc
he had gone to look at Luke Ashton'n
rabbits, and then to try shooting a: q
target with brand new pistol, which
proved such interesting sport that tho
time slipped away without his really
being conscious OF it. 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 wey
home; and the discovery that it was
twelve o'clock filled him with dismay.
Not only did he feel sure OF severe
whipping from his father, but he know
his mother must have suffe red great
anxiety about him, probably imagining
that he had met with some accident.
He was not surprised as he drew near
home to see her standing at the gate,
looking anxiously down the road.
"Ralph, my dear boy" she said, rs
soon as he came within speaking dis
lance. Il have been SO worried about
you. What kept you so long"
II got to shooting at target with
Luke and forgot all about the time,
mother" answered Ralph, in low
voice, his face expressing his shame
and contrition.
Mrs. barrow was silent q moment,
and then, as Ralph sprang from the
saddle, she laid her hand tenderly on
his shoulder.
II am glad, very glad, for your sake,
dear, that your father happens to be
away" she said, gently. He left
home just after you did, and will not
be back until tomorrow.
Ralph drew long breath OF relief.
'But-who drew the water, moth
err"
~ drew it, my son."
''Oh. mother, and carried it all to the
houseg"
Eyes. my dear, there was no one
else to do 1t, you know. Your sisters
are too small to help me much"
Not word, not even look. OF re-
proach! As Ralph led old Dolly to the
barn and threw down some hay from
the loft for her, he almost wished his
father had not gone away, for perhaps
If he had received thrashing he wou ld
not have felt so utterly wretched as he
did now.
A whipping was no novelty to Ralph,
for his father was stern, hard man,
who believed in the use Of the rod as
means Of discipline, and never spared
it. Ralph was an only son, and a
bright and talanted boy, but he could
not recollect ever having received
word of love or praise from his father,
whom he feared and avoided. But hs
loved his gentle, brown-eyed mother.
She was always loving, tender and
merciful, and shielded him from his
fathers wrath whenever it was posi-
BILE for her to do 80, sorrowing much
that she could not convince her hus-
band that it was better TO govern
through love than fear.
As Ralph entered the kitchen after
feeding Dolly and saw the 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 it isn't as il l was always run.
ming of and having fun" he said to
himself, trying to find excuses for his
conduct. II hardly ever get an hour
to myself. 1t is work, work from
morning to night, and an awful crime
II I'm idle even ten minutes. And it
isn't fair. / don't believe any other
fellow would stand it single day. And
] might beg on my knees from dawn to
dark, and father wouldn't give me q
pistol! believe he'd thrash me il l
only mentioned such thing!"
And thinking thus, raking up one by
one all the injuries OF which he had
been the victim, and comparing his life
with that of several Of his friends,
Ralph at length arrived at the conclu-
sion 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
o 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 offered no apology TO his
mother,
$50 much would not be expected
Of me II were not always so willing to
work." he thought, resentfully.
Father onght to have q cistern dug,
and pump in the kitchen, like Mr..
Ashton's. Luke never has to bring
water from the we'll. and | don't see
why Ishould.