St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1895-12-27
THAT AWFUL BOY.

~ ''S"' anu SHSSly VII lndl Chilly NO
vember night when, with all the warmth
OF her hospitable nature, she welcomed
the members of the Maitland Mission
school to her home to talk over the work
Tor the year. When all the stir attending
their arrival had ceased, an earnest talk
ensued on the failures Of the past and the
hopes OF success for the future. By the
piano sat Mr.. Blair, and as | entered he
was just remarkng:
"Ol all bad boys, that Charlie TAYLOR
is the worst"
well, what is to be done with him ?"
inquired Mr. Maitland, the kind superin-
tendent.
Change him to another class" sug-
gested one.
Brighten him into better behavior"
came from another.
Turn him out as hopeless case"
Mr.. Flood his teacher exclaimed.
Judge Burnham's pretty daughter,
seated in the shadow of a cosy corner,
here came into view, and with her ear
nest happy manner entreated:
30! please don't think of that, Mr..
Flood. Is it not the object Of our mis-
sion to reclaim just such boys? Your
suggestion savors so of failure, ard fail
ure where God is concerned charges us
with lack Of faith"
1t was quitea long speech for they young
girl, but her earnest manner made her
words felt. Even Mr. Flood, the gay
young lawyer, with his warm heart and
impusive manner, felt sobered, and with
laugh, peculiarly his own, replied
"Certainly not, Miss Burnham; we
will Danish all thoughts of dismissal,
and think of some nobler plan"
HAS no one a suggestion" queried
Mrs. Maitland, whereby we may inter-
est this awful boy?'"
II know he sings some" one of the
'N"NhNlo iSHId' NSu, why nol lulSlSSl
him to sing at our coming social?"
A hearty laugh followed this sugges
ton, the idea seemed so ludicrous, but
Miss Burnham did not join in it, and her
earnest manner impressed the rest.
After further discussion, that lawful
boy" was handed over to Miss Burn
ham.
A very pleasant evening was spent, i'll
which all the workers exchanged ideas,
and many helpful thoughts were given,
AS Mr., Flood escorted Miss B,rnham
home, the subject of the evening was
talked of again, and with shake of her
pretty head in saying goodnight, she
called after him; I'm praying for our
school, remember particularly our bad
boy, Mr. Flood"
With all the fun gone from his face he
replied, II will, Miss Jeanne"
Sunday came, and it was with feelings
of disappointment Miss Burnham no.
ticed Charles seat vacant. After all her
prayers and thoughts, a feeling of regret
did creep in, and the lesson to her girls
had not the life she usually put into it.
Leaving the mission school before the
closing hymn was sung, she came face to
face with the subject of her thoughts in
the narrow street. He had dog har-
messed to sleigh, and with anything
but choice language was urging the poor
brute on. Catching sight of Miss Burn
ham, he desisted, for Charlie had a GER
tain reverence for the pretty girl who al
ways bowed to him even, as heeXpressed
it, when she is cutting it high in her
carriage with some of those heavy
swels."
"Now is my chance" Jeanne thought,
and with prayer she advanced to meet
the boy.
20 Charlie! you are just the boy l
want to see. You know our socialcomes
off next month, and do so want you to
help me by singing for us"
The boys face was study for a few
seconds, and when he could stand it no
longer he gave vent to his feelings in
long, low whistle.
Miss Burnham only smiled, and kept
telling him how she was counting on his
help. Time would not permit me to re-
cord all that conversation, but when
Miss Burnham and Charlie parted twas
with the understanding that Charlie was
to call at Judge Burnlams the next
afternoon.
Monday came, and the trim little
housemaid at Dundern ushered not one,
but two, very rough-looking boys into
Miss Jeanie's pretty parlor. For once
Charlie was troubled with bashiuness,