The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1893-12-03
GnY Morgnn's Victory.


Guy Morgan came I'm with rapid step and
impetuous manner. His mother looked up
from her work. There was a round, red
spot In each cheek, and an ominous gilt
ter In his eyes. She knew the signs.
That naturally fierce temper of his had
been stirred in some way to a heat that
had kindled his whole nature. He threw
down his cap, threw himself on an otto
man at her feet, and then said, with Il
little of the heat Of his temper in his
tone. "Never say after this that i don't
love you, mother"
II think never did say So" she an
swered gently, as she passed her hand
over the tawny locks and brushed them
away from the flushed brow. But what
special thing have you done 10 prove
your love for me just nowY
Taken a blow without returning st."
She bent over and kissed him where he
sat. He was fifteen years old, a great.
tall fellow, with muscles like STEEL but he
had not grown above liking his mothers
kisses. Then she said softly. "Tell the
all about IL, Guy"
20 II was Dick Osgood You know what
a mean, bullying fellow he IS anyhow.
He had been tormenting some of the
younger boys,-nagging them till 1
couldn't stand IT, They are every one
afraid for their lives where he is. ! told
him he ought to be ashamed OF himself,
and tried TO make him leave off. till, after
a while, / s'pose he got stirred up, for he
turned from them and coming 10 ine he
struck me in the face. l believe the
mark of his claws is there now" and he
turned toward her the other cheek, which
he had kept carefully away from her up
TO this time. She saw the marks clearly,
and she trembled herself with sympathy
and secret Indignation
"Well." she said, "and you-what did
you dor
II remembered what had promised you
for this year. and / took it,-think OF 1t,
mother.--took II. and never touched him.
j just looked into his eyes, and said. If
i should strike you back, ! should lower
myself TO your level" lie laughed
great scornful horse-laugh, and said he,
You hear, boys. Morgan's turned preach
er. You'd better wait. sir. before you lee
ture me on my behavior to the little ones.
till you have pluck enough TO defend
them. I've heard about the last impu-
dence shall take from coward like
YOU The boys laughed. and some of
them said. Good for you, Osgoodr and /
came home. i had done IL for the sake
OF my promise to you; for I'm stronger
than he Is any day: and you know. moth
er, whether there's a drop OF coward
blood In my veins. | thought you were
the one 70 comfort me: though & isn't
comfort j want so much, either ] just
want you TO release me from that promise
and let me go back and thrash him"
Mrs. Morgans heart thrilled with ST.
lent thanksgiving. Her boys temper had
been her greatest grief His father was
dead. and she had brought him up alone.
and sometimes she was afraid her too
great tenderness had spoiled him. She
had tried In vain to curb his passionate
nature. IL was power which no bands
could bind. She had concluded. at last.
that the only hope was i'm enlisting his
own powerful Will, and making him re-
solve TO conquer himself Now, she
thought, he had shown himself capable Of
self-control In the midst OF his rake
ne had remembered his pledge 90 her,
AND kept II. lie would yet be his own
mastcr.--ths brave boy of hers,-and the
Kingdom OF his mind would be a goodly
sovereignty.
Better heap Goals OF ERE on his head
she said quietly.
Yes. he deserves good scorchinc.
pretending perversely TO misunderstood
her.--''but l should not have thought Won
would have been so vindlctlye."
You know well enough what kind ~
Goals J meant, and who II was that naid,
~ thine enemy hunger, feed him; II ne
nizt, give him drink ! cannot release
you from your promise until the year for
which you made II is over. ] think The
Master who told US TO render good for evil
UNDERWOOD all the wants and passions NJ
humanity better than any other teacher