The Intermountain Catholic. (Salt Lake City [Utah] ;) 1899-1920, 1909-01-16
Worthless Bobby.

peIoIe MN, and once more the kind heart was
touched ard softened
ca 7epend upon you, Bobby. that's the
l9uDle' ~ aglect my work. Understand. I an
preclate YOUR re for books, | am glad Won loro
them; but YOU 'rst duty is to attend 70 the bns;l
ness that l elEe you to do and YOU don't do #
bobby you know you don't "
ooh, M. Harro, I will try to he good Tai,
more" 'Ho just once
1 Will not take your books from YOU. that would
De no test but ! shall put you on your merit once
more BOBBY and see what you will do; but if there
IS no improvement, 1t is your last chance-vo,, viii
nave to go. You understand now. do Won ~ said
MI. mario as he stepped into the carriage
BOOTY turned away to hide the tears as Mario,
liarro, sweet girl of nineteen years ran merr;Iv
down the path and took the seat beside her father
well, Marion, that youngster has gotten fine
Best OF me again, and [ have taken him another
week probation" mi
Dear father, [ am so glad"-her face brighton
mg-"I thought you would give him another trial ,,
Nv hat tender heart you have dear; but love
you to be so; the of your sainted mother COO
IN your character the more | feel you are develon-
ing INTO the highest type of womanhood Foster i
my darling; cultivate it; there are ALWAYS nlentv IN
say the hard, sharp word, and under q cloak Of
frankness wound even those whom they really love y
They were driving along the beautiful country
road TO the station, and as they drew ND to the Mat
form for Mr. Harro to alight, Marion mi her hand
tendery over his and said, Dear father. am try-
ing to be like her.
Surely, the mantle of the mother has fallen
upon the daughter" replied Mr.. Harro, with uuiy-
eTlng voice, land you will never know NV DARLING
what hope you bring into your fathers life"
As Marion drove leisurely home her thoughts
turned to Bobby. How could she help him. He
was one of seven, his father was dead. and his
struggling mother trying to keep the family to-
rrn+bn ]
poor Bobby was thirteen. John, the eldest bow
OF fifteen. had a position in the village grocery
store, which was a great help to his mother He
was an industrious, Woodworking boy, but Bobby
did not love work, and would shirE everything that
he possibly could to pore over his beloved books
History, geology, anatomy, astronomy-anything
that fell into his hands-he would read and think
and wonder though he could not understand That
IN fact, the fascination. He wanted to know
about things, and he knew there were men in the
world who did know. these books would never
have been written. Mr.. Harro knowing how the
boy yearned for education. offered to take him In
his home. allowing him the school privileges and
paying him well for doing chores about the place
thereby laying money aside for his higher
education, for it was very plain that Bobby would
never earn living by the sweat of his brow "Ab-
solutely worthlessl" the opinion nearly every
body had Of poor Bobby, and it was through much
apparent tribulation their part that Mr.. Harro
and Marion trying to make something out of
the boy. He had been with them six months. and
Mr.. Harro. thoroughly discouraged, had threatened
often to send him back to his mother-only to be
won over every time either by the stress of the boy
or the coaxing of his idolized daughter.
This was day early in November, and the light
clouds that had lowered around in the morning
and gathered, and by rain fall
ing. a great storm upon them, that hourly in
creased in its fury. Trembling hands held
either side of the anxious faces that peered into
what was already the darkness of night faithful
John, who acted coachman and man of all work
about the place, drove down the carriage drive and
out into the street on his way to meet his master
Two hours passed and they had not returned.
Marion walked restessly about the house
'Where is Bobby, Hannah" she said stopping
at the kitchen door, where the odor of the sayory
dinner would have been most appetizng had it not
been for the great anxiety for her fathers safe,y.
'Clar to goodness, Miss Marion j dun know! |
Seems if dat boy don't know huff to come III out
o. de rain. He tux de lantern and went out to de |
Darn, an just 'speets he's scared TO back"
In the meantime John had safely reached the
station and after waiting long time for the be-
ated train, Mr.. Harro finally appeared at the
-iaec door The usually sluggish little stream that
AN between the home and the station river.
It had risen until even with the bridge, and the |
opposite end had loosened from It's foundation and
vas ready to break away; but they did not know
hat. and were about to urge the frightened horse
hove the believing waters when they saw lantern
wung back and forth upon the other side.
"Stop, John" cried Mr.. Harro, quickly; that's
danger signal"
81 see it, sir" said John, backing the horse and
aking to the street; that means tive-mile drive
. the upper bridge"
Yes but our lives are spared Nothing could
ave saved us if We had gotten into that torrent.
avcn't seen such freshet for many years. Some
rave fellow has risked his life for others in this
torn tonight"
The upper bridge was found intact, and as they
cared home the storm seemed to abate somewhat III
IS fury. Both looked with eager eyes for The IAN
ern at the lower bridge. Finally they reached the
pot. The light was still there-but the bridge was
one! Mr. Harro leaped from the carriage to thank
is benefactor just the bearer of the lantern
anne rushing forward
Dear dear Mr.. Harroi Are you safe
bl,z-f NJ