The Monitor-register., 1897-09-10
GUARDED BY ANGELS.
" NJ. s BURKE.
[. TIRE sToRY.l


teen dollars a month, when / can get
double elsewhere" said John, in an
a%pologetic tone as he strapped his gar
pet bag fast toastout hickory stick.
81 know it, my son." replied his
mother. "But is very hard to let you
go away alone like this: a mere boy,
among strangers"
II am twentyDne," said he, drawing
himself up proudly.
"And at that ge 3 boy feels older than
his mother. and father both," said his
father, Shaping his fine, stalwart son
good-naturedIy On the shoulder.
sob! l know I'm not Methuselah,"
John replied will a laugh; but, then, a
boy at twenty. one is a man, in law, and
should know how to take care of him
self, if ever he will"
81 only wish | we're going along"
said Harrison, thenext younger, a lad of
twelve.
] "Me do, too" oiped the baby, reach
ing out her chubby hands toward her
brother, as though ready to start at once.
THAT'S right, my little Florilla,"
said John, dropping his carpet bag, and
catching her in his arms,. to give. her the
toss she so dearly loved. You might 60
if mother can spa:e her little girl" i
"Mother cannot spare one of her
BROOD" said the mother, with a suspi.
cious tremble in her voice.
"Well, l will not be gone long; only a
year or two, at most" said John, with
an air of bravado somewhat out at the
elbows. "Aud 1 shall be all right, too,
l can easily foot the thirty miles to
Pittsburg, with . lift now and her from
teamsters on tbe road. and then l shall
take tina oars as far az my money goes,
if necessary; FIR l mean to travel until l
find a region where the man who plows
brains will bs as valuable as he who
plows the earth at least, If | have to
walk all tho way"
81 think myself, that you will do
better among strangers, JOHN" said the
father; 'for it is not slone q want of ap-
probation OF the value of education that
you have to contend with here, but the
familiarity of old acquaintance, too; for
"A prophet is not without honor save in
his own country, you know"
"Well, l must be off now" said John
putting baby do.n aud looking visit
fully around the homely apartment, that
served at one for arlor, library, family
sitting-room and the old folks bed
chamber. Never had the little log
house of four rooms looked 80 beautiful;
for he was about to leave it, and it was
home. This was the first parting, too,
and this Christian household was al
affectionate, united family. In fact, a
large part of the religion taught by their
old-fasbioned Church vas love, human
love-the kind that tsaohes its disciples
to bear each others burdens. Such peo-
pie never part lightly. for parting is a
serious thing. that might be forever.
So as John went from n to the other of
that little group he embraced and kissed
each one, father and brothers as we'll as
mother and sisters, while great tears
were stresming down his cheeks. He
was not ashamed of those tears; and, in
fact, he had plenty of company, for they
all wept with him.
at will be ayear at least, before | see
1t again." said John, glancing around
the room, where everything looked SO
pure and clean, with a touch of art in the
little attempts at characterization, which
mad' it apparent that somebody there
hada keen eye for the beautiful, That
cleanliness is next to godliness, was also
a part of their unpretending creed; but
the belief that "Pride goeth before a
fall" lad usually sternly repressed the
love of art in their sect, lest it prove a
pitfall and a snare. But John had an
artistp sense that would not be repressed
and the simple ornaments had been all
purchased out of his salary, nOtwith.
standing the fact that he had been
hoardirg for months, to get the means to
start GU, into the wide world to seek hi
fortune. There was a look of keen regret
in the by's blue eyes that shone through
the teart as he took it ell in, and then
walking to the door leading into the
other ofthe two lower rooms, viewed the
dining nom and kitchen combined, the
wido. open fireplace. the enbers smoid-
ering beneath the blaokeued crane, the
deal table, as white as soap and water
aided BY sand and Pennsylvania in
iustry Gould make it, the window with
its sash curtain drawn aside to let the
sunshine in on a pot of verbena, bringing
the rebdlious artistic spirit even into the
Kitchen for John had Inherited his love
of the BEAUTIFUL from his mother, altho
her plain costume of gray stuff, with
three cSrnered white kerchief pinned
across hr bosom, gave small hint Of thai
fact.
He WIS only twenty-one; but be had a
mans purpose to conquer fate. a good
education, and temperate habits; 80 his
youthfula air castles were built on a some
what prsctical plan.
He had in the carpet bag, just strapped
to his scout walking stick, a change o.
clean linen, made by his mothers owl
hands, t'o, &C warranted not to rip; he
was provided, also, with a substantial
luncheon in the capacious pocket of his
coat; AMI his mother put a Bible into the
pocket On the other side.
ITO balance it properly" she said
"And ttsre is L passage in this book
which hls always seemed very beautiful
tine: a shall give His angels charge
concerning thee; and in their hands they
shall bes thee up, lest at any time thou
dash thy foot against q stone; which
proves very conclusively to my mind
that the angels do watch over those who
are committed to their care.
WELL good-by, Mother" said John,
with a tell-tale quaver in his voice
singing he stick. with carpet bag at
tachment across his shoulders.
"Fareyell, my son May the good
angels guard my boy when Mother car
no longG minister to him! l shall ask
it every Gay of Him. she concluded
elasping her care-worn hands upon her
breast AID raising her fearful eyet
h~eavenward.
"Oh, rll be all light; never fea r
Mother" John answered, as he STROBE
out of the gate, waving a last farewell,
then disappearing down the road.
II feel just like going with him, sale