The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1892-07-06
of his efforts to trust, Joe found him
self whistling the tune of the strain:

Ali it was Gods way and Gods
time his mother had taught him to
trust and wait for.
With increased faith Joe ran up the
steps of their poor home in happy ex-
pectation. Motheri' he called
cheerily, as he did not find her in her
accustomed place at the window, stitch
ing. Mother, where are your" A
faint answer to his call from his moth
er's own room prepared him for the
realization of the fear that flashed into
his mind. Yes, she was ill. She lay
on her bed so white and still that Joe
cried out: ooh, mother, are you so
very ill?" And Joe burst into tears
which the brave little heart, over.
taxed as it was, could control no
/ longer. CPL be better in the morn
ing," was all she said. She did not
tell him she had had hemorrhage.
AS his mother lay upon her bed so
pale, and with her eyes closed, Joe's
failure to find employment weighed
heavily upon his heart. But Joe had
been so well instructed to trust in Gods
goodness and faithfulness, that doubt
was only known to him as temptation;
and young as he was this faith asserted
itself and he assured himself God did
hear and answer prayer. He can
give me place without recommend"
he said over and over again
In the morning his faith and cour-
age were rewarded. He had just given
his mother her breakfast, carefully pre-
pared, though it consisted of two crusts
toasted delicious brown, softened with
hot water, seasoned with salt; and
cup of weak tea. His faith increased
rather than decreased in the knowledge
that it was the last mouthful in the
house.
" Maybe his time will be this morn
ing" he thought, remembering a text
often repeated by his mother" Your
Heavenly Father knoweth that We have
need of all these things" "That means
bread and tea, these things does,
cause that's our need just now. Aud
maybe it means a doctor for mother,
too" Joe had hardly rehearsed their
needs in his mind when there came
knock at the door. 1t was a rare thing
for anybody to knock at the Fletchers'
door. Not even grocer; for their
supplies were so small Joe carried them
himself. Ellis times comel" Joe said
in his heart, as through the first crack
in the door as he opened it he beheld
a gentleman with kind, fatherly face.
GOOD morning, my little man." the
gentleman said, his face rejecting the
smile that lit Joe's in happy, contented
assurance. "Pm looking" he con-
tinued, g for little fellow by the name
of Joe Fletcher"
" Y es, sir, Pm him." Joe answered,
his face beaming brighter and brighter.
"You are the little lad who was
looking for employment in DR.. Kemp's
office, yesterday, are you not?"
Yes, sir" said Joe, wondering who
the good angel might be who had told
this gentleman of his desire to help his
mother; surely he had never seen him
before I" had no recommend and no.
body to give me one, and so 1 didn't get
the place, but-but Pm sure he can
give me place without one, cause no.
thing is too hard or big for him to do.
Mother and me likes that text, sir,
cause it's right hard for us to get
things, now she's sickl And mother
says how he does the thing for us we
can't do for ourselves, if we trust him
i did feel rather bad at first, cause l
couldn't get a place without a recon-
mend-but mother says that hard feel
ing like came cause L was trusting in
the recommend more than l was in
him, and l guess she's right, SIR" 1t
was long, stammered sentence. not
one period until Joe stopped, but he was
80 much in earnest that Judge Weston
listened patiently, and with a great deal
of interest.
"Well," he said, am looking for a
boy your age; l was in DR.. Kemp's
office yesterday when you applied.
have little boy at home, who has
never walked" The jud ge's voice
grew husky. "He hasn't any mother,
and he gets tired of his good, faithful
nurse. The fact is he needs a Younger
life to brighten his own. An honest,
gentle, pure lad, to read with him,
and to draw him in his chair in the
garden. He is doubly dear to his old
father, because of his affection. 1t is
because of your uneTceptiondble recon-
menddtion that l am willing to trust
you with so precious charge, and with
this object in view, | seek you this
morning"
Joe looked in speechless amazement.
Hadn't he just told the gentleman
plainly he had no recommend nor
anybody to give him one? There must
be misunderstanding, and he was not
the boy after all. But Judge Weston
allayed his fears in this respect. "My
lad" he said, coming close to Joe and
laying his hand tenderly upon his
shoulder, " boy who shows such ten
der consideration and love for his
mother, as you expressed to DR.. Kemp,
in your desire to aid III her support, and
your assertion that you carried the
water, chopped the wood and made
the fire; boy who assumes these
duties with tender love and manly cour-
age, thus sharing her burdens-such a
boy has the best recommendation that
can be offered to prove to me his faith
fulness. AS soon as your mothers re.
covery permits, call at my office, No.
30 Barlow Row. If your mother de-
sires will call to see her in regard to
filling position as housekeeper.