The Ward County independent. [volume] (Minot, Ward County, N.D.) 1902-1965, 1920-02-12

was concerned and then ne was gen.
erous? A man who, SO far as feel
ing that his family was one of his
vital responsibilities, and deserved
the best care and provision he could
make for them, was a cipher? I
once knew such a man. He was the
father of two Riddles in the little
country school taught the summer ]
was sixteen 1t was the. custom in
that district r,r every family to in
vite the teacher home to speni the
night at least once during TIE term
oh, no, not boarding around pro
cess--but as matter of hospitality
l thought was very much grown-up
at that time, but have since come
to the conclusion that l was very
much of kiddie myself.
l had heard of this mans mean
ness and miserliness, of course, and
to say that l. dreaded to have the day
come when should be asked to spend
the night in the home is putting the
matter mildly, to say the least. You
may wonder that the teacher was
ever asked to this home, but the faith
er evidently did not care to fly too
much in the face of custom--so the
teacher was asked.
We had lots of fun on the two-mile
walk home, but as we neared the
home, so-called, all hilarity ceased.
The children lowered their voices,
and walked along sedately, and the
only word that approaches the look
in their eyes is furtive. The father
happened not to be at home when
we arrived, so the kiddies grew more
natural, shyly introducing teach
err" We had a nice little visit
until the sound Of wagon wheels
warned US Of the approach Of
the Lord and Master, Man
then it was pathetic to see the way
that family withdrew into its shell Of
fear-I fear my teeth were chatter
ing in sympathy. / don't know just
what i did expect was going to hap
pen, but I do know that wondered
why / had come. Presently a big
husky chap came in, speaking pleas
antly enough to the stranger, but
swapping at the kiddies and ordering
the wife around. At supper, q tray
cloth marked my place, and one or
two specially prepared dishes
oh, yes, shared by the Master
Of the household, but not by the
rest Of the family. nearly choked
on that food. remember wondering
if God would forgive me il could
think up q lie convincing enough and
tell it with enough force to make it
plausible to get me away from that
place before night. But l was not
accustomed to breaking the ninth
commandment and besides my brain
simply would not work ~ probably
paralyzed as was my epiglottis.
have never fully figured out the eth
les Of the case yet.
Anyway l staid all night-never
sleeping wink but the gloom and
misery and cringing fear Of that
household haunts me at this late date.
/ was sixteen. There might have
been times in those sixteen years
when ] felt very much abused at not
being granted all my childish desires
but there never was time W.
felt Bringing fear-there was al
ways lots of good wholesome food,
plenty of warm clothing, books, mag
azines, music, love and laughter
and if there was anyone who went
without during the lean years that
came occasionally be sure we children
did not know it. 1t was mother and
father who went without, if anyone
SO. this experience made dreadful
impression upon me. Have you ever
known Man like this one?
If not, have you ever known FAM
lily that lived just for themselves
alone, every interest centering around
the home life? No time for any
other family, no money for any in
terest outside the hone-in fact no
interest outside their own narrow
sphere? Food, yes, for the family.
Clothes, yes for the family. Music,
yes, for the family. Books and Mag
azines, yes for the family. The kid
dies could play among themselves
no neighbours children need apply for
admission. II there was misfortune
in the neighborhood all we'll and
good, let the rest take care Of it
this family had all it could do to
look after its own--n everyone did
as well the world would be q better
place ETC., etc.
The father and mother loved the
kiddies and probably eacs other, but
it was the family for all, and all for
the family no church interests no
philanthropic interests thing but
narrowness all through. Have you
ever known such 1 family? I'll war
rant you have.
Have you ever known q church
where the members were interested
only IN their own affairs mo time, no
money, no prayers, no study, for any
thing except their own ciurch-and
very little Of that usually? II the
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