Year: 1875

Nor long ago had occasion to call on
a friend at eight o'clock on Monday morn
ing-truly most unreasonable hour, as
all must admit But no fashionable call,
at the most approved time OF day, ever
gave me so much pleasure as this.


1t was during the coolest part ofthe past
extremely cold winter which depressed
the mercury to twenty degrees below zero.
Very little outdoor business could be
done, and the few who ventured into the
streets hurried along as if trying to keep
pace with the driving wind. Rather hes
itatingly | raped at the kitchen door of
my friends humble dwelling, well know
ing the sitting-room would as yet be un-
occupied by the lady of the house, who
did her own work. 1t was opened i'm
mediately and | was most cordially re-
ceived. The sight that greeted my eyes
in my friends pleasant kitchen-tOr
kitchen may be a pleasant room-was one
of the most gratifying it has ever been my
good fortune to look upon.


1t was washing-day' in this we'll



seemed not to have been affected by the
fall of the mercury, and a busy scene in
deed it was. The children OF this family
are four sons The oldest was carrying
water; the second, with coat of and shirt
sleeves rolled up, was bending over the
wash-tub washing with a hearty good
will, while his glowing checks and the
foaming suds in the tub attcstCl the ear
nestnCsS of his labOrs. The third son was
turning the handle of Il clothes wringer,
while the fourth and youngest, child of
six, who was determined not to be outdone
by the big boys" was piling wood in the
ample wood-box.


| involuntarily glanced at Mrs. A.,
half expecting to see some signs of par
tiaI or recent illness visible in her coun-
terance; but no; the fine, healthy glow Of
her pleasant face and the bright sparkle
of her eyes. which caused her TO look
younger than she really was, forbade the
idea that her sons had been pressed into
service on account of their mothers i'll
health. Mrs. A. noticed my look and



of truly pardonahlc pride:


"Oh, yes, I am quite we'll, thank you."


And we intend to keep her so, said
the boy at the wasFl-tub. " We don't intend
to allow mother to do all the hard work
while we great stout fellows sit itarounH and
look on"


At nine o'clock the Washing WAS on the
line and three of Mrs. AS sons were in
school quietly pursuing their accustomed
studies. Many hands make light work.
thought I, and quick work, too.


One evening soon after | attended the
Lyceum of our academy OratOns, de-
bates, essays and music were the order
Of the evening. was highly entertained
by the achievements of some of the stu
dents, but of one more than any other.
He was a youth Of sixteen, possessing a
fine form, flashing eyrs, and an erect and
manly bearing. AS he stepped upon the
speakers platform the silence of expect
ancy pervaded the house. All seemed to
be looking for something particularly en-
tertaining, and we were gratihed. The
youth before us was decidedly the best
speaker of the evening. His ringing
| voice, kindling eye, animated gestures,
and fine intonations all bespoke the
greatness of the future orator in the boy
before us, who, but short time before, |
had seen bending over the wash-tub-this
boy who thought more of seeing the roses
of health bloom on his mothers cheeks
than of his own selfish ease. And think
you that boys lessons were less faithfully
studied and less perfectly learned for help
| ing his mother? Let his success, as one
| of the best scholars in the school of which
| he is member, answer.


Boys, have you mother? If You have,
| be kind and gentle to her. If she is in
health, let your strong and willing hands
assist in all her tolls, that she may con.
tinue so. IF she is frail, be careful lest
some word or deed of yours assist to snap
| the brittle thread of the precious life.
Never allow any false or foolish pride to
deter you from rendering her all the as
sistance in your power. No act of love or
kindness to her will evei detract one iota
from your reputation for manliness or
bravery, but, on the contrary, viii add i'm
measurably to it.-Ame15ca1s FuJna J0lr-
nal.