St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1893-02-05
ROY WITH y FUTURE.
a Brave Lad Takes the Care of
Family on His shoulders.

\ Brave Lad Takes the Care of a
Family on His shoulders.
Our Dumb Animals.
1t was a cold morning. The people in
the village were almost frozen, ana at
the LITTLE red cottage in the hollow,
where the wind had free sweep across
acres of meadow land and hillside, 1t
was Il great deal worse.
But when Ben Preston jumped out of
bed to build the fire Tor his mother it
was not the fire which worried him
most; it was because he knew that III
the cupboard there was only scanty pro-
vision.
The ladies who broughG sewing to his
mother could not come up TO the hollow
in such weather. nor could she cross
these heavy drifts to 20 to them.
WELL" says Ben to himself. as he
danced about to keep his feet from
freezing while the fire burned uD. Il
don't see any way but to take the sup
port of the family on myself for few
days. can't do much, but maybe | can
help bit I'll try. that's Whatn' And
he drew himself up, looking very manly
and strong.
When tie little breakfast was eaten
it was nothing but corn cakes with but
ter, and milk to drink, as they had a
cow-Ben carried in load of wood and
pail OF water, and then began to but
ton up his coat.
Not going out, Ben?'' asked his
neither.
"Yes, mother. I'm going to look for a
job in the village"
But, Ben, you'll be almost frozen"
think not, mother. | AIN as strong
as a young horse. and it's a fine morn
ing for sweeping sidewalks and cross
ingS, you know. I'll just shoulder my
shovel and see if | can't bring back
something to ill up that cupboard.
YOU'RE a good boy, Ben said the
widow. with a deep sigh, and smile at
his bright face.
Ought to be. Got good mother.you
KNOW" responded Ben. And then,put-
ting on his old hat, he darted into the
shed for his SNOW shovel, and was off.
plunglng through the drifts as If it
were tirSt-rate fun.
He had no overcoat. and his hands
were hardly covered by the old mitteps,
but lie put first one hand. then the
other, in his pocket, to warm them, and
trudged along with CHEEKY whistle,
never minding the cold
When he got to the village he stopped
just before DR.. Hutchin's biz house.
The doctor was just opening the shut
tiers. and Ben hailed him.
Good morning, doctor; don't you
want your walk cleared OFF,"
"Well, | might" responded the doc
tor. Think you're heavy enough for
the job?"
Just you try me-" said Ben, begin
ming to dig away at the piled up snow.
"All right, sonny, make good JOB OF
it and I'll give you quarter And
with that the doctor went into the
house. Ben worked and tagged, and in
half an hour he had that sidewalk well
shoveled off. Then he raped at the
door and received his quarter from the
d0c5Or's wife.
"Wel. tn ats a beginning" said he,
and trudged on, stopping where he saw
good chance for job, and in most
cases getting it.
Two Or three times he was hailed by
boys going down to the dam to skate.
and asked to go with them, but his only
answer was to shake his head and pitch
into the drifts with renewed energy.
When noon came he had dollar and
quarter.
"Pretty we'll for one-half day." said
he. Guess we can live while the snow
lasts, if mother doesn't sew any"
He ran around the corner to Balzer's
grocery and bought q LOAF or Dread, nal[
pound OF cheese. some tea, sugar and
several other little necesSarieS, and still
had a little left.
He borrowed basket from Mr.. Bal.
, ger, put his packages into it, dashed out
and stepped into the butchers to buy a
juicy steak. Then he took the road to
the hollow again. And. tell you, his
mothers bright face, when he ran into
the house with his well.laden basket,
we'll repaid him for the cold mornings
work.
what should l do without my good,
brave boy?" she exclaimed, as he told
her his little story. Ben laughed and
said: "Oh, that is nothing" He was
very proud Of her praise.
That boy has a future.