Creator:
Arthur, T. S. (Timothy Shay), 1809-1885
"Well, all that I can say is, that any mother who is not willing to
work to take care of her children, don't deserve to see them."
"So say I," returned the husband.
"And as to Henry's going home, I wouldn't hear to any such thing.
He'd not be a bit too good to trump up any kind of stories about not
being treated well, so as to prevails upon her not to let him come
back. I know just how boys like him talk when they get a chance to
run home. Even when they do come back, they're never worth a cent
afterward."
"Oh, no! As to his going home, that is out of the question this
winter," replied Sharp. "If his mother cares about seeing him,
she'll find her way out here."
With a sadder heart than ever did poor Henry grope his way up into
the cold garret that night, with but one thought and one image in
his mind, the thought of home and the image of his mother. He
dreamed of her all night. He was at home. Her tender voice was in
his ear, and his head rested on her bosom. She clothed him in warmer
garments, and set him beside her at the table, upon which was
tempting food. But morning came at last, and he was awakened from
visions of delight to a more painful consciousness of his miserable
Jesus had chosen twelve out of the many who flocked about Him wishing to
be His disciples, and these twelve were called apostles. He sent them
forth to preach the gospel, giving them power to cast out evil spirits
and to heal diseases; and when they were about to go forth upon their
mission, He gave them instructions regarding what they were to do, and
warned them of the persecutions which would be heaped upon them. He also
bade them be strong and not fear those who had power to kill the body
only, because the soul was far more precious. So the apostles went out
into the cities and towns and preached the word of God and carried
blessing with them.
When they came back they told Jesus what they had done, and they went
with Him across the sea of Galilee to a quiet spot where they could rest
and talk over their work.
But the people went around the sea, or lake, to join them on the other
side; and when Jesus saw the crowds He was sorry for them, and taught
and healed them again as He had done so many times.
In the evening His disciples urged Him to send the people away that they
might buy food for themselves in the village; but Jesus said, "Give ye
condition by the sharp, chiding voice of his cruel mistress. Slowly,
with stiffened limbs and a reluctant heart did he arise, and enter
upon the repulsive and hard duties of another day.
As he had not been permitted to go home, his next consolatory
thought was that his mother would come out at once to see him. This
hope he clung to day after day, but he clung to it in vain. It
mattered not that, every-time the shop-door opened when he was in
it, he turned with a quickened pulse to see if it were not his
mother, or that he would pause and listen, when back in the house,
to hear if the strange voice that came suddenly from the shop, were
not the voice of her he so longed to see. She came not; nor was any
word from her brought to him.
And thus passed the whole of the severe month of January, the long
and cold winter adding greatly to his other causes of suffering.
CHAPTER VIII.
HENRY GASTON'S TREATMENT BY SHARP.