Year: 1870

| N"h VIZ nO, utdr.


You are not strong enough to bear
me, Ernest


fes | am, mother; and if were 3
man L would carry you, instead of letting
you walk


1T will do me good to walk, thank
you, my boy"


"Well, lean as heavily on nv shoulders
as you can. | shall be glad when I am
tall enough for you to take nv arm =
and Ernest Strengthened himself proudly
and looked as much like man as he nos
sibly could


Mrs. Fletcher had been i'll. For several
weeks she had not left her bed, and the
mousse had to be kept quite still, for fear
OF her being disturbed. The doctor came
TO see her every day, and for a long time
ne always went away with a very grave
lace, for she seemed to get worse instead
OF better. But at length, when Ernest
had feared and prayed, and waited for a
long time, change took place, and the
doctors face looked brighter. and he told
the nurse that he thought Mrs. Fletcher
would recover now, if great care was
taKen. She soon told Ernest, for she
knew that he loved his mother. and he
was SO glad and thankful that be could
not say so often enough.


Mrs. Fletcher had no daughters. and
only one son. 1t would have been very
sad indeed if he had been a bad bow.
But ne was too fond of his mother for
thst ne loved her so well that for her
sake ne tried to do right always; and
| tnougn that was not the best motive he
should feel.


Ernest waited upon his mother as
quietly and tenderly as girl could have
done it. He brought her fresh spring
flowers, primroses and violets, and every
thing he could find With his own pock-
ct money he bought her some oranges and
grapes, and any nice thing he fancied she
would like. AS soon as she was well
enough to listen, he brought a book, and
sat by her bedside reading it to her; and
when she was tired he sat quite still, and
did not disturb her. When he had learned
any fresh pieces to sing, he sang to his
mother. and If anything happened that he
thought she would like TO hear he al yyaYs
| told her.


The boys wondered that Ernest did not
come out to play more frequently, but he
was quite happy to stay with his dear
mother.


You are the best mother in all the
world, he said, and L would rather not
leave you"


But the very happiest time was when
Mrs. +. was well enough to take a short
walk AS she was still very feeble and
weak, she asked Ernest to go with her,
and 1t was then that he said, LEAN on
me, mother"


They did not walk far, but Ernest
thought good deal. 1t was SO nice to
feel his dear mother leaning upon him,
that he thanked God who had spared her.
and he made resolution which he in
tended to keep. 1t was that, whatever
else he failed in, and he would do his best
in all respects, he would never be any
other than kind and loving to his mother


She noticed how quiet he was, and
spoke to him presently


What are you thinking of, Ernest?"


IL am thinking that | should like to be
mothers staff as long as / live" lie said


:" If you remain as you are now, my
son, think you will be-" said his mother.
II hope that God will spare you to become
good man, and to live an upright life,
so that your mother may never have To
weep over your wrong doing


al hope SO too, mother" said Ernest,
thoughtfully


This was when he was about ten years
old.


When he was twelve his father died
1t is sad thing to lose ones father and
Ernest felt it So But think it is sadder
still for some boys when the mother dies
Ernest had his mother left, and as he stood
by his fathers grave he thanked God for
that,


"Dear mother, she has only me left
now," he said to himself. II will be all
| can TO her. | will try to make up rs
much as possible for my fathers loss"


When he went home he found his
mother on the sofa, weering bitterly.


Ernest went to her, and put his arms
around her, and lifted her head on his
shoulder


"Dear mother, don't cry" he said.
Lean on me. will try to be good son
to you always"


And his words comforted his mother,
and made her sorrow the easier 10 bear.
Besides, he kept his word He took his
mother out when she wished to go; he
STAYED at home with her when she pre-
ferred doing so. He saved her as many
steps as he could he almost knew what
she wanted before she asked for it, be-
cause he watched her so anxiously.


She used to say, sometimes, 90, Ernest,
do not know what L should do without
my son."


When he was fourteen years old, an
other trouble happened to his mother.
Nearly all the money that she had was
lost She had given it to some one 20 take
care of for her, and through some care
lessness the money was wasted. She was
very much distressed about it,


81 do not know what is To become of
us; the money that is left is not enough
to keep us, and cannot see what we are
to do" And again Ernest sad, "Lean
on me, mother dear


He left school directly, though he had
hoped To stay several years longer, aud
then 90 to college.


The idea, however, was given up at
once, and Ernest tried to get situation.
His teachers all recommended him, and
Ernest had so many friends to speak good
words for him that he had no difficulty.
He became clerk in an office. AT first,
of course, he did not receive much money,
but only fortnight passed before the
gentleman who employed him said "He
is SO diligent and clever that he can do a
mans work, and, therefore, he shall have
a mans salary"


Think of that He was able TO provide
his mother with the comforts Which she
mad been used to, and even more. God
prospered Ernest Fletcher because he
feared Him, and always put his mother
first. Once he had large sum of money
offered him if he would go abroad. He
thought he would very well like TO do SO
hut \ "A vnother ssid she did not wish him