The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1890-10-08
Selected Storp.
Papa's Watch.

gold WatCn tnaJ now lies llChluS nedl
my bedside. When he receives it my
heart will long have ceased to beat, and
it will come only as message from the
dead. May its faint voice ever sound
as my own, speaking in tones OF loving
admonition to my boy, thus early be-
reft of fathers care. 1t has laid on
my bosom all these years teaching me
an officers first duties, obedience and
punctuality. Philip, listen to its voice
as you would listen to mine. Now,
dear wife, farewell"
go Philip, Philip" sobbed the poor
wife, as she laid the letter down and
clasped her son in her arms, "you are
all that is left to me now"
Mother" said Philip, standing up
very straight and stiff, " don't cry any
more, l have papa's watch, and I'll be
papa to you. See, am big boy al
ready; / shall soon be man and take
care of you"
Mamma smiled in spite of the ter
rible news that her loved one lay buried
away off in India.
Philip was only ten years old, a
a wild harum-scarum sort of little
fellow, always late to school, always
late to dinner, in fact, always little
" behind time " in everything. "Sure
to turn out bad" the wise people of
the town prophesied, shaking their
heads. He had always had his Town
way ever since mamma had brought
him home to England from India, a
pale, sickly little chap of seven years.
1T will be different when his father
comes home" Mrs. Ashton sometimes
sighed, when Philips imperious ways
and strong will frightened her; but
everything was changed since the sad
news had come from India. Papa
would never, never come back, so poor
Mrs. Ashton could only clasp Philip in
her arms, murmuring between her sobs,
ooh, my boy, you are all that is left to
me now"
This was how little ten-year-old
Philip Ashton happened to wear big
gold watch and chain.
I" OF course, mother, shall wear it,"
he said the day the letter and packages
arrived. "I'm almost eleven years
old, and then, you know, Pm kind of
papa, any way"
Naturally, Philip loved his brave,
kind papa; but no one expected to see
him grieve as his mamma did, so in a
few days he was strutting about the
village feeling quite proud and impor-
tant People often turned to gaze at
the slender little figure clad in deep
mourning, wearing a big watch and
chain. There was something pathetic
about it, too, in spite of all its grotesque-
ness. Somehow or other that watch
seemed to make a great difference in
PHILIPPINE was no longer harum-
scarum, but quite serious since he had
begun to regulate his life by its steady
ticks
"Tick, tick, tick!' it went at half
past six in the morning; "time to get
up, time to get up" and up jumped
Philip on the instant. AT seven his
cheeks were cool and his eyes sparkled
ON his cold water bath.
"Tick, tick, tick!" it went again;
time to study, time to study" Down
ran Philip to the sitting room, placed
his watch on the table where he could
see the hands, stuffed his fingers in his
ears, and studied, oh! so hard, until
eight o'clock-eight! that meant break
fast.
Philip was never late to school now
and that one good hour of study in the
morning worked wonders with his les
sons. How could he 60 wrong with the
tick, tick, tick right close to his heart
that seemed to say, Do right, Philip;
do right" He called ii d" Papa's voice."
OF course he was tempted great many
times, else the battle were not worth
the winning; but he fought bravely,
like a soldiers son, and as the old watch
nlr ;n1, mi IA
Philips conscience, both coming out
victorious. And so the years passed
on until Philip was fourteen.
" Mother" he said one day, Will
Dexter has gone to the city and I'd
like to get his position in the bank.
Pm old enough to earn my living, and
/ know, little mother, how hard you
have to struggle"
cts a good position, Philip, dear"
answered his mother; but hate to
think of your leaving school-and then,
dear, there will be so many applicants,
what chance will you have?n
"pm going to try, anyhow. The
advertisement says to call between
three and four-it's Just half-past three
now, so wish me good luck, little
mother, and III be off"
"Good luck, darling; may God bless
you"
"Well, boy, what can you do, I'd
like to know" muttered gruff old Mr..
Dodge, half hour later, as our young
friend stood before him.
Philip began to enumerate his quail
ifications in a trembling voice
Pshaw!" interrupted Mr.. Dodge
can you get up early in the morning?
That is what want to know, young
man."
Yes, sir" answered Philip,
proudly. You see | have watch,
and it keeps me on time" Here
Philip drew out his big watch, for he
was still proud of it, although he had
worn it for three years.
"a good thingif it keeps good time"
said Mr.. Dodge, roughly. "Come to
the office tomorrow at-let me see, |
have to be off early to the city-well,
come around by seven in the morn
ing"