The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1914-02-01
Sunny Bobbie "

Sunny Bobbie" was the pet name
given him in the home, where he was
indeed the sunshine of shut-in
mother and careworn sister. No
matter how gloomy the weather, his
cheerful whistle could be heard as he
went about his work at home and
when on his way to and from school,
Mother" he said one Sunday night
as he leaned against her chair.
teacher talked long time today
about doing things to make other
folks happy. She said there were
always things we could do. If we tried,
to brighten some life or make glad
some sad heart. / have wondered
what / could do. You know / can't
give money. and haven't time to spare
to work away from home. OF course,
am counting on doing big things
when l am a man, but I'd like to be-
gin right now"
my dear little son." said his mother
tenderiy, as she drew him down and
kissed his rosy check, you have al
ready begun. You bring Joy to our
hearts every day. and both sister and
long for the merry whistle which
tells of your coming. and which sounds
SO cheerful as you go about your
work.
why. mother, just naturally love
| to whistle and sing" said Bobbie,
but l never thought OF it's helping
anybody. and | am glad II 1t helps
you, shut up in this room so long"
He did. indeed, sing as naturally
as a. bird with sweet. II unframed.
voice.
| On his way to school Bobbie had
to pass the shop of a. blacksmith,
whose heart and conscience had be-
emma ha cnnd and xsyif Sf
One morning Bobbie passed, singing
How Firm a foundation" and as
the blacksmith was not busy Just
then. he listened. This, he remem-
bered. was his mothers favorite song;
and tender memories began to stir
in his hard old heart. and thoughts
OF the long ago came trooping In to
soften the hard crust formed by sell
ffshness and indifference. How often
he had heard his mothers voice unit
ing with the congregation in singing
| this grand old hymn In the country
church near his boyhood home.
When the dying hour came, she had
asked them to sing this song. and had
tried with feeble voice to Join In the
last two verses Tears began to roll
down the furrowed cheeks Of the old
in the distance. he buried his face in
his toil-hardened hands and wept
! bitterly.
In the afternoon Deacon Haley came
to have his horse shod. He noticed
the subdued manner of the old black
smith and the absence OF the pro-
fame language he habitually used.
The horse shod the deacon still lin
gered. hoping he would tell him his
t. ouble. and he had not long to wait
Deacon" said the old man, you
have been praying for me these many
years. l know, and you have tried
time and again to talk to me- about
my souls salvation: but 1t seemed my
old heart was so hardened and / had
wandered so far away from my moth
er's teaching that nothing could reach
me. But this morning something hap
pened to make me think and / am
miserable man. and want you to
pray for me right now"
Together they went into his house,
and the deacon prayed earnestly and
talked long with him, quoting the
precious promises In Gods Word for
such as he If they will repent and seek
him with their whole heart. After a
while the light of peace flooded his
heart and JOY cleaned in his eyes,
and his FRIEND left him rejoicing in
his new-found happiness. The fol-
lowing Sunday he united with the
church, and in the afternoon he went
to the home of hobbies mother and
told them how his singing had been
the blessed means of bringing this
new-founded happiness. We may be
sure the mothers heart sang for joy.
and Bobbie was happy boy when
his mother told him the good news.
saying: You see. my dear boy. there
are ways of accomplishing great good
even II we do not have money and
time to give. Just 60 on being brave
AMI cheerful, and God will bless my
Sunny Bobbie in bringing good to
others. Baptist Boys and Girls.
A young Sunday school teacher. a
poor scamstress. one Sunday gave to
= rough street Arab q shilling to In
duCA him to go III a Sunday achoOl