The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1894-02-07
Boys Mothers and Mothers Boys.

"Sit down and sit still" This was
addressed in peremptory tone to boy
of eight, by his loving mother.
Why, what has the boy been guilty
of that you subject him to the tortures
of the inquisition?"s l.
"Done" replied his mother, "every-
thing that he should not do. He is per-
petual motion incaruate. He drives
me to distraction with his running in
and out, asking for this thing and that"
81 suppose he takes the Bible liter
ally" said l, "and asks, expecting to
receive"
This sobered the mother little with
out enlightening the boy, and 1 pro-
ceeded to read her lesson, first, how
ever, getting the boy reprieved and
sent to the barn with message.
"Now, Laura" said l, "you will
make of that boy either knave or
fool. He is all life, all animation.
Give him occupation, but not torture.
I'll guarantee to keep him quiet half an
hour in this very room, and not pinch
him, either"
You are welcome to try" said she.
But seriously, what in particular
has he done to offend you?" asked.
Look at that floor. / have just
spent an hour picking up and putting
in order, and in my nervous haste have
upset my work-basket. Now, if there
is one thing more than another that
aggravates me, it is disOrdered work
basket. Thread uuwound, silk tangled,
hooks, eyes, needles, pins and buttons
in heterogeneous mass. A good half
hours work to rearrange it, and 80
! many other things to do, and just at the
point of my despair in comes that elf of
mine with sticks for kite, throws
them right on my clean floor, and be-
gins to bother me for strings and a
button-hook, and walks right through
my basket. Is it not enough to make
me scold him?"
"No, do not see yet that the boy
deserved punishment. / think you are
the naughty one"
What do you mean?"
81 mean that that sweet child of
yours is the best gift that God has be-
slowed on you, and that if God should
call him away you would treasure all
those kite sticks, and give all your life
for one sound of his CHEEKY voice.
llChl hlul hOW' LILO NOlSO
will be fortune to him, and the ingen-
iCus way in which he has cut those
very kite sticks marks him for more
than an ordinary boy"
Of course, every mother likes to hear
the praise of her children, and this one
was no exception. So | had gained my
point with her, and then proceeded to
show her what use | would make of
just such boy.
Calling him from the open window,
saw him come with bound, and
thought of the great possibility bound
up in that 1.-THE but healthy body which
so readily obeyed the summons.
"Charlie," began, are you as fond
OF making money as your big brother?
hear he has already bought printing
press, and anticipates a great fortune
in card printing for his friends"
81 never get chance to earn any
money!" replied the boy, because
everybody says l am too young, but
when get as old as Robbie Pm going
TO make boxes and book racks and sell
them like Joe Harvey. I'll make lots"
"Well, Charlie, suppose you would
not mind an odd job now and then if
GOT | don't care what do if I'm
only big enough" said Charlie.
"Well, have job for you, Charlie,
that / think will take you about half an
hour. What do you think your time is
wortb?"
Charlie pondered, like many man,
between fear of losing the job by charg-
ing too much, and fear of losing some
money by charging too little, and like
the little philosopher he was, he COM
promised by asking me what l thought
it was worth.
well, for a boy of your age l should
think about five cents; that would be
at the rate of eighty cents day of
eight hours. There are some men who
, do not earn that, you know"
Charlie was greatly pleased with the
idea of eighty cents day, and wanted
to go and tell Robbie of his good luck
before beginning his work.
told him that unless he went imme-
diately to work he was in danger of los
ing the opportunity, and he expressed
himself ready and willing to begin at
once,
els it bargain that you work half
an hour steadily and faithfully for five
cents?" asked. "Remember it is work,
steady work"
YES" replied Charlie, 6 it's bar
gain"
"Then," said l, pointing to the over
turned work basket, "put that in or
der; put all the pins on the cushion,
all the needles in the papers, wind up
all the spools of thread, and pick out
carefully all the snarls of silk, and let
me see how neatly you will do it all;
meanwhile, your mother and | will
walk in the garden and see if there are
not some other things that can be
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