The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1896-08-14
MOTHERS BEST.
by SIDNEY DAYRE.

"I'm back, mother"
A bright-looking, half-grown boy had
quietly entered q pretty cottage and
made his way to the room in which
was seated lady dressed in deep mourn
ing, engaged in sewing.
MY dear one! My own precious boy
but why are you here again so soon?
"For no good reason, mother. l go
into a bit of trouble"
''Not of your own fault, dear?''
mo. There was little money miss
ing, and in u way that I seemed to b'
responsible for"
"Tell me how, Philip"
81 lady was shopping at my counter
and seleced some books for which she
laid down $50 bill. Then she decided
not to take the books, and distinctly
remember her taking back the money
it never touched my hands. In a few
minutes she came back dclaring sh'
had left it-and what could do?"
"You dear boy!" Even in the mids
of his despairing depression Philip fel
cheered by her loving sympathy. 'But,
she went on, mo one believed anything
against you-surely
so, they said so," said Philip, bit
terly. "That is, they said nothing coult
he proved against me, and they wer'
glad to believe it could only be mis-
take. But when they told me they wer'
carrying more help than they needed
and must dismiss younger rather thai
older clerks, knew what it meant. Ant
here 1 am-back on your hands afte'
trying for months to get something t.
do"
Back with me, dear, there's comfor
in that"
"What will people here think of 1t
When they knew 1 went expecting IA
stay. Why, mother, it's blot on m,
character. 1t may make difference il
my whole life"
Dear child, we can only believe tina
in some way it is ordered for the best.
81 can't. It's the worst thing whicl
could have come to me-"
80, my boy, not the worst. Think o
the mothers whose sons might have don
what some suppose you have done
On the death of his father Philip ha'
laid aside his studies, and with energ.
and boyish faith looked out upon tn
world which he believed ready to yiel'
It's treasures to those who claimed ther
as the reward of honest, perseverint
effort.
But the world, in most cases, doe
not respond warmly to such expecta
tions. Some of us learn this throug
the passage of years-to some it come
with early youth. After wearisome dc
lay a situation had been obtained TO
him in large book establishment L
q town nearest the village in which hi
father had been a highly-regarded ply
sician.
For a few weeks Philip had chez
ished visions of rising by steps built o
energy and integrity to O high place i
the great business-of making HON
near him for his mother. Then-this!
Philip renewed his attempts to fin
worl-work of any kind-but only t
realize as before that for every plac
there seemed many applicants.
LET me pack my bag and go and see
my fortune, mother" he urged. Blu
she would not hear of his leaving HON
on such uncertainty.
I'm living on my mother. Actual
letting her support me.S
Many a boy of Philips makeup ma
understand the feeling which led hiI
to set his teeth and clench his hand
as he walked along the street of tn
village.
At the sound of chat and laughter b
raised his eyes, to perceive comm
toward him company of girls frol
a boarding school which constitute
one of the features of the village.
Philip had just passed small ponC
and had mechanically strayed from h
way to try with the heel of his boot tn
strength of the new ice.
The girls paused as they came near
How they chartered, contradicting an
chatting each other. How bright the
faces were, how dainty and pretty the
fur-trimmed garments. Philip woI
dered if girls ever had cares like boys.
"Does it bear"
'Yes. yes. I'm sure it does."