The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1895-07-27

Will oeluuSO Low ocuoC VI uOPO
and peace filling her heart. But
Johnny did not lie there very long.
After time he suddenly arose, with
some impatient, muttered exclama-
ton, stamped roughly as if to shake
himself awake, seized his hat and
rushed out and away. All the light
seemed to have gone out of his moth
er's day. She stood looking after
him, whispering to herself with fast
falling tears, "Oh, if l only knew how
to keep Johnnyl Something is wrong
oh, all, all wrong" Johnny did
not appear at supper time, but to her
glad surprise he came home early in
the evening, just after the younger
children had gone to bed, and sat
down near his mother beside the fire.
His father was fast asleep, tipped
back in his chair against the wall.
Johnny tipped his chair back against
the wall also, and clasped his hands
behind his head. And then he said
trying to make it seem off hand
and as if she knew all about what he
meant-"Them fellers wanted me to
go out on spiel with them through
the country-go over river falls in
barrel, you know, for show, and do
a'wire act on Sunday-and all that
and was to let them know once for all
this afternoon. But I've given it up.
I guess I'll keep along here, mother.
And l asked Holman Bros. this after
noon if they'd try me again in their
shop if I'd keep square, and they
said they would"
This was a long speech for Johnny
to make. He was always keenly in
dread of scene" or any sort of
sentimental expression; afraid now
that his mother might cry for joy or
do something of that sort. But she
knew better. She was used to repres-
sion. And she only said quietly in
tone as if they had often talked this
over before-which of course they
had not" swell, Johnny, 1 really
think that would be the best thing
you could do. | shall be very glad
of it. And what time will you want
your breakfast in the mornings
now?"
Johnny told her. He could not
have found words nor courage to tell
her the whole story of that afternoon.
How he had rushed away down the
street, determined to go with the
"spielers;" how as he came in sight
of the degraded corner where he was
to meet them great inconsistencies
came over him at the very thought
of wandering away from home. He
remembered the welcoming softness
of his mothers bed, the snowy quilt
comfortably spread over him; he
thought of that feast of hot bread
such as he had loved ever since he
was little. little boy, good boy
ages ago. Everything in the little
plain home rose strangely before
him, and through it all his mothers
patient love, as he went plunging
doggedly onward, till at last when
he came in sight of the lounging
group waiting for him, he had sud-
denly turned and ran as though foul
fiends were after him, never once
looking back. He could not have
told her-a hot tingling of shame
went over him now, to think of it
that there was other evil planned,
hideous evil, besides the wandering
Sunday shows; a network of small
burglaries, and by and by other
things more daring and wicked still.
But he was here safe. 1t was like an
awakening from some feverish dream,
such as children dream, of falling
through space or being hurled over
precipices. His mother looked at
him, sitting there with thoughtful
face, and it seemed as though her
heart would break with happiness.
II don't know as I've done one
thing toward saving Johnny" she
thought humbly, "I've just loved
him. 1t was all | could do"
And there was silence and heaven
in the humble little kitchen. A hea-
en- of peace in the boys heart;
heaven of Joy in interior.