The Virginia enterprise. [volume] (Virginia, St. Louis County, Minn.) 1893-19??, 1899-10-20
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When was boy, we boys used to
plan for what VIC called "a good time.'
I'VE boys were three. Once in
while, by unanimous consent, We would
include IL fourth. AN entire day, from
dawn till dark, was usually the span of
time allotted But the time was only
SOFT of container. AS it was Il good bas-
kct Of apples If it contained fruit to our
taste, so the time was good time if it
had been filled with fishing, hunting, or
nutting.
Now, there was a newcomer to our
town one spring. He appeared to be
boy. with some sport in him, SO we boys
decided unanimously to take him with us.
"HallOa, Billie" called Bob.
Now, Bob was our captain, and some
times we called him Cap for short. Bill
lie was about square away, but he
stopped. Bob was Il success at calling.
He had Il way with him that commanded
respect.
Il say, Billie said Bob, coming up to
him. I'VE fellows are goin' a-fshn', and
we'd be mighty glad to have you go with
u.s.
Billie looked the picture of fun. He
came a few steps closer to Bob and
stopped bracing himself by spreading his
feet, throwing back his head and Shout
ders, and hooking his thumbs under his
suspenders close to his collar.
is that so?' said he. when are you
going?'
"Iomorrow,' answered Bob, "tomor-
row morning early. We're goin' to dig
bait and get everything ready tonight,
SOS to get an early start
Tomorrow! Why, tomorrow's Sun
day. said Billie with disappointment.
The shine all went off of his face, his
head fell and his shoulders dropped for
ward.
But what O that?'' replied Bob. "You
haven't anything else to do tomorrow
have your .
have to 80 to Sunday school"
''Ah! come on pleaded Bob; "there'll
he plenty other Sundays to go to Sun
Gay school,
II emit" said Billie. scraping up the
gravel with the toe of his shoe; mother
don't want me to-.
THAT settles it. Bob. He's tied to his
mothers apron strings" said Johnnie.
We'll. we're goin', all the samee,"
replied Bob and moved on.
Say" put in Hal. who had been quiet
ly observing the proceedings, 1--WE fellows
known our man before we went after
him.
1T don't make any difference to me
whether he goes Or not replied Bob.
II only asked him for 'commodation
Now Bob and Johnnie and Hal went
went the following Sunday The lesson
was in the Gospel according to Luke.
; chapter 2, verses 41-52. The text con
tanned these words: "And he went down
with them, and came to Nazareth, and
was subject unto Them
Our class had a supply teacher that
day. He was young man from college
He appeared a little ludi$h in our ewes.
md We gave one another the wink. But
he wasn't a hit shy. He pulled up close.
and spoke to us as though we were old
friends of his. and before we had time
to turn around he popped question at
"Say. Hail." said he, chow old was this
boy when his mother thought he was
lost?"
''Twelve years DID, answered Hal.
mighty big kid to get lost" put in
Bob right quick.
"How old are you, Bob?" asked the
teacher.
"FOurteen.'
"How old are you, Johnnie?'
And you, Hal?'
'Thirteen.'
"Thirteen.'
"All about of an age remarked the
teacher. "And if that boy were living in
our town today. he would probably be in
our class"
That made us feel as though the boy
were one of us, and we began to take an
interest in him.
''When the boys mother missed him,
what did she do?'' continued the teach
err.
''Sbe went after him. answered Bob.
found him."
''Took him home with her." answered
Johnnie.
How old should a boy be before his
mother quits looking after him, Ual?'
''That depends on the boy" answered
Hal. "Generally the boy that needs
watching the most gets it the least"
THAT is certainly true, Hal. in too
many instances. But how old do we
think a boy must be, Billie. before he is
capable of taking care of himSef?"
'Twenty-one, sir.
And how lono did the hoy of this
story remain at home with his mother,
Bob?"
Il don't know" said he. Il never
heard"
who can tell? Billie, YOU tell us.
about thirty years, l think said Bill
lie.
''Wh-e-w" whistlcd Bob.
Now. boys" said the teacher. II want
to ask You another question. How long
Ito chickens and ducks and pigs and
calves and colts and kittens and pups
stay with their motherS?"
''Only few weeks. answered Hal.
None Of hem over n year
New another question. How soon do