The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1891-09-02

Lord will let me do it'll "
Down went the books, and off l went
to find mamma, whom l Intercepted
thus: Mamma, may go over to Ned
Nobles'?"
"Over to Ned Mobiles, child? All
the Mobiles / know about are those who
live at the outskirts of the village; the
woman has done some work for me at
times, and her boy brought home the
clothes. Are they the people you
mean?"
Yes, mamma, they are, though 1
did not know Mrs. Mobiles washed for
you or for any one; but may go?"
Why no, certainly not, this time of
night. 1t is three miles away from
here, Harry; tomorrow will surely be
time enough to see the boy. guess
your errand is not important"
Here i began to cry, and said be-
seechingly, "Oh, mamma, do let me
go. l never can s'eep tonight if 1
don't see Ned Noblesp'
Nonsense" cried mamma, pre-
sumo you can sleep; it takes consider
able to keep you from sleep, my boy"
Just at this moment my father came
in and informed mamma that he was
going to the blacksmth's and would be
back at supper-time. caught at this:
the blacksmith's was within a quarter
of mile of Ned's home, and | said,
ooh, papa, please let me go with
your"
81 have no objection if mamma is
wiling" replied my kind father.
Mamma kindly consented, and took
the book and started off with papa,
already partly eased of my burden.
Papa stopped at the blacksmith's, and
l walked on to Ned's house while the
horses were being shod.
AS neared the little cot where my
rival lived, l noticed more particularly
than ever before the marks of poverty
about it.
"Why," 1 thought, /" 1 never looked
at Ned's home closely before. l guess
they have not much money, or anything
else,' and feeling of pity sprung up
in my heart. "Poor Ned" murmured,
"we ought to be very sorry for him,
and treat him kindly, indeed we ought"
and envy and dislike vanished then and
there.
raped on the door, which was
quickly opened by a sorrowful-looking
woman, who was Ned's mamma,
could see at once. enquired for Ned,
and Mrs. Mobiles led me from the I'M
carpeted entry into room adjoining,
and called Ned from the kitchen. Child
as was, noticed all the surroundings,
and saw poverty written upon the four
walls and the scanty furniture.
When Ned came in, said, brought
you your Latin grammar, Ned. l knew
you would want it to study your lesson
for tomorrow"
my Latin grammar Why, thought
| brought it home with my other books,
Harry" and he went back to the kitchen
to look over his school-bag.
Returning quickly, he exclaimed:
"What a mistake l made! brought
home one of the old readers instead of
my Latin grammar. Where did you
find this, Harry?"
"Chad Hall brought it to me-" 1 re-
piled, feeling the color mount to my
forehead.
"And you brought it to me? How
kind, Harry l can scarcely thank you
enough for this. 1t was all the more
kind when you knew that my failure in
Latin meant the head of the class for
you. Oh, Harry, how hard it would
have been for me to fail-wouldn't it,
mamma?"
The woman gravely nodded her head
and / hurried from the cot, and no
sooner was alone than / burst into
tears-grateful tears in part, that had
overcome the temptation so strongly
presented; and then, too, wept COM
passionately over Ned and his patient
looking mother; they were no doubt
very needy, and their home had such a
comfOrtless look that my heart was
full Of pity for them, and also full of
penitence when thought of my sinful
feelings.
climbed into the wagon beside
papa, and on the homeward road /
softly told him the story.
My precious boy!" he exclaimed,
chow much happier you have made me
by this victory over yourself, than you
could have done by bringing home the
medal"
The following day Ned obtained the
prize, but before it, at recess, sought
him and confessed the plot that Charlie
and / had invented, and Ned, dear
forgiving fellow, said, Never mind
you wanted the medal, and l don'i
wonder" And then he told me that
his father drank up his earnings; that
his mother took in washing to exc out
the living; that kind neighbor paid
his school bills and had promised to
give his mother a ton of coal when he
brought home the medal. He also told
me the reason of his frequent absences
he was obliged to assist his mother in
her work.
Sc stand over the tub" said Ned
"and rub the clothes, feeling happy tc
save my dear mother from excessive
labor"
How doubly repentant l felt wher
Ned had finished his story, and from
that time l stood the boys friend, ant
80 interested my father for him that hi
gave the family substantial assistance
from that period until Ned could earn {
competent support.-A. ID. Walker, i,
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