St. Tammany farmer. [volume] (Covington, La.) 1874-current, 1890-04-05
HIS DUTY.
How Jack Saved tho Pfnce and
Helped His Father.

How Jack Saved tho Pince and
Helped His Father.
Jack Thornton felt very miserable
for which there was not little reason.
The rain pelted angrily against the
windows, with cold. hard sound, such
rs rain only has when the March wind is
driving it with relentless force; and this
same wind was bowling dismally round
the house at this very moment
Inside, things were about As comfort.
less as they were outside, for Jacks
father had been sick all through the
long winter; and only few minutes ago,
Jack had heard his mother tell the hired
boy that she could not afford to keep
him any longer.
AN who'll make the garden, ma am?
an milk the cows? an LUX afther the
hins?" Pat had asked, with genuine con-
Germ.
Il am afraid, Pat We shall have no
garden this year, and shall have to sell
the COWS; am sorry about them, for
need plenty of milk for Mr.. Thornton
just now"
''Indade, ma'am, but it's sorry am to
lave ye, entirely" said Pat; .'an' any
thin cud do, it's proud I'd be to do 1t.
Sure, I'd be willin' to work for We for
nothin'. it's that good ye've been to me
these four years past"
mo. no, Pat" returned Mrs. Thorn
ton, much moved by the honest fellows
earnestuess, you have your own way to
make in the world, and could not allow
such . sacrifice. You have been faith
full lad. and I will do my best to help
you get place."
Jack had walked slowly up to his own
little room, when he heard this, and sat
down on the wind0w-seat to think il all
over. What were they do?
He was only thirteen years old, but he
was very bright scholarly boy. already
in his first year in the high school. Per-
haps ought in fairness to add, that he
was SO fond Of his bboks that he was not
much good at some other things In
which boys usually take pleasure. When
the other boys were playing baseball.
or out in the woods nutting, or skating.
or swimming, he would usually be found
in some nook by himself, book In his
hand, and several others within easy
reach. He was gentle and unselnsh,
with good strong will of his own,
which had not been brought into play as
vet: and habit Of thinking for himself.
though his thoughts, up to this morn.
ing. had run in very different channels
to the one they now took.
How was he to help his parents9 What
could boy like him do? How he wish
ed that he were old enough TO take his
fathers place - brcadwinner; but, ALAS,
Jack knew that, even if he could get .
the two or three dollars .
week he could earn would be but - .
drop OF water in An empty bucket.
Mr.. Thornton was any thing but Q
rich man. though up to this time they
had lived very comfortably. The house
he lived In WAS his own, together with
about thirteen acres of land. On one
side OF the house was small orchard,
and back Of that meadow, which fur
nished hay for the cows, Of which they
kept two: on the other side were lawn
and fiOwer-beds and . small natural
pond which had been improved ana
and back of this and the
house was = large vegetable garden.
which had helped to furnish their table
with plenty which Jack had looked upon
as matter Of course. -
Now 1t struck him, that with 10 gar
den there would he no nice summer veg.
etables, to tempt his fathers Appetite.
and no store of winter ones for future
use; without cows. there would not be
an abundance OF milk, cream and fresh
butter. And they would need these
things SO much more now that they were
depending only upon the interest of the |
few thousands his father had in the |
bank.
Suddenly thought struck him. Why
should he not take Pats place? Pat was |
only fourteen when he first came 70 live |
with them. But, then, he would have I
to give up school: ah! give up what he |
most cared for in the world. and he had |
already mapped out his future as = i
scholar: no. he could not do it! Then
the boys he had read Of came to his
mind, Dickens. Franklin, Lincoln ana
hosts OF Others who had struggled sue
'essfully against greater odds than
these.
"I'n do it." be said. 'it's my duty.
anyway; and that, after all. is really
The only thing worth doing-'
He went slowly downstairs, and sourbt
his mother. She was in the kitchen.
preparing the invalid's breakfast
Mother. said he. have you really
made up your mind to part with Pat?"
I'VE must. my boy: in fact he ought
@ have gone before"
when does he go. mother?''
HE will stay with US till he places
don't know just how long"
'Mcther, l am going to do his work
when he is gone. ] shall begin TODAY
o have him show me how to milk, and
bout the other work"
"Xeu, my boy!" she exclaimed, 81