The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1892-04-13
Seletteo tStorp.
The Missionary Pig

that don I make crops any better. He'd
turn farms, cows, pigs, and all, in the
missionary box ii he could" Mr.. Simp-
son gave an uneasy laugh as he said
this.
Well, pa, l should have slept better
IT you had put your name down for
something last night. His speech was
worth good deal, if we did ride twenty
miles going and coming to hear it, and
Roy enjoyed The singing so. I'm glad
we took him, but l feel as if l had
China, India and Alaska all on my
heart to-day" and Mrs. Simpson sighed
as she began gathering up the dishes.
"Ob, he's all right. The church
needs to be awakened. We don't pray
enough for the heather; but a man
must look to his own first. Just fill my
pipe, ma, while you're at the cupboard.
Have good dinner; Pm working hard
seeding alone. Goodbye, Roy" And,
lighting his pipe, he slammed the door
and was off.
There was cloud on Mrs. Simpsons
plump, rosy face that morning. Don't
imagine it was because her husband
did not kiss her d-bye. He l. d left
off such demonstrations long ago,
and if Mrs. Simpson missed the little
attentions most WIVES prize, no one was
the wiser. She was looking around
the neat kitchen, which also served as
dining and slttiDg-room, and thinking
of women less fortunate in far-away
lands. The new rag carpet with its
strip of painted floor around the stove,
the cheap prints on the wall, the plants
in in do oil IL
pleasant picture. TIE feeling of
possession, thinking of the well-fur-
nished front rooms shut up for COM
pany, and the beautiful, hard-earned
acres outside, made her feel very rich
woman. When she reflected there
were many near, as well as in foreign
lands, who did not enjoy such pleasant
surroundings, her eyes fell on the glim-
mer OF white mai bic in the little hill
side cemetery in the distance. Two
little mounds were there which held
what was far more precious than all
that money could buy; but she knew
her lost lambs were folded with the
Good Shepherd. at is because no
hope for the future is so much harder
than present poverty, the case is so
much worse than being poor here.
There is not mother in this country
but has heard of Jesus. Oh, yes, being
where there is no Jesus is the most ter
rible thing in the world" and as Mrs.
Simpson decided this simple truth, she
could hardly keep back the tears. Her
only child sat in his low rocker by the
window, and his pale face and the
crutches by his side told of another
heart-ache the mother found necessary
to carry to the Burden bearer.
Ma" Roy said, "I've been thinking
over what he said, too. 1t kept me
awake last night. He said it took only
forty dollars a year to send boy to
school in India, and after a while that
boy might be a preacher, and lead hun
dreds of people to Christ. Ever since
you read me the life of Dr. Judson I've
ached to be missionary. think I'd
choose India"
Darling, if the Lord wants you to
60 to India he will cure you. wanted
to go when l was young, and l would
be proud to give son to the cause
but my boy will stay at home and take
care of ma when she gets DID," was the
answer.
"Pa did not go to the war;" Roy
went on.
"No; he couldn't leave; but he sent
a substitute, so it was just the same"
Don't you suppose Jesus meant if
did not go | ought to send substitute,
maj" Roy asked, with eager, shining
eyes. " If his go we into all the world
meant anybody, why doesn't it mean
Roy Simpson?'
never thought every one must 90
or send, though | don't see why it
should not be as binding as serving
ones country. If every one who
couldn't go would send substitute, of
course the world would soon be broug ht
to Christ. But it's no use; pa never
will give but dollar a year for mis-
sions. Don't worry, dear Pm going
to make mince pies, and you can key
them for me, after you stem some
raisins."
81 ought to send a substitute in
sisted Roy, looking at his lame foot.
\ y
Here's something for you, Matte :"
said Mr.. Simpson, as he came in at
noon. "A dog killed its mother and
uhO iOob VI lhC IL uO uSG 10
raise pigs now. If they don't die one
way, they die another. thought din
ner was ready" This last because the
chairs were not drawn up. AS he
spoke he unrolled an old grain bag and
disclosed very small specimen of a
pig.
I've no time to fool with a pig,
warming its milk and having it around.
You men think women can do every
thing" replied Mrs. Simpson, who had
worried over the heather until she felt
like one herself. Mr.. Simpson saw he
had Numbered, but not being Just clear
where, turned to Roy with his burden.
80 pa, give it to mel" begged Roy.
don't care, if mail have it around.
Do you want it for playmate?" was
the answer.
do l want to raise it? May l have
every cent it brings?" said Roy, eagerly.
{" Yes, and corn to fatten it for mar
ket," said his father, with laugh to
see business interest in his bookworm
of boy.
Mrs. Simpson, relenting her hasty
sDeeCh. consented at Onca and On This