1. "Please, mother, do sit down and let me try my hand," said Fred Liscom,
a bright, active boy twelve years old. Mrs. Liscom, looking pale and worn,
was moving languidly about, trying to clear away the breakfast she had
scarcely tasted.
2. She smiled, and said, "You, Fred, you wash dishes?" "Yes, indeed,
mother," replied Fred; "I should be a poor scholar if I couldn't, when
I've seen you do it so many times. Just try me."
3. A look of relief came over his mother's face as she seated herself in
her low rocking-chair. Fred washed the dishes, and put them in the closet.
He then swept the kitchen, brought up the potatoes from the cellar for
the dinner and washed them, and then set out for school.
4. Fred's father was away from home, and as there was some cold meat in
the pantry, Mrs. Liscom found it an easy task to prepare dinner. Fred
hurried home from school, set the table, and again washed the dishes.
5. He kept on in this way for two or three days, till his mother was able
to resume her usual work, and he felt amply rewarded when the doctor, who
happened in one day, said, "Well, madam, it's my opinion that you would
have been very sick if you had not kept quiet."
6. The doctor did not know how the "quiet" had been secured, nor how the
boy's heart bounded at his words. Fred had given up a great deal of what
boys hold dear, for the purpose of helping his mother, coasting and
skating being just at this time in perfection.
7. Besides this, his temper and his patience had been severely tried. He
had been in the habit of going early to school, and staying to play after
it was dismissed.
8. The boys missed him, and their curiosity was excited when he would give
no other reason for not coming to school earlier, or staying after school,
than that he was a "wanted at home." "I'll tell you," said Tom Barton,
"I'll find him out, boys--see if I don't!"
9. So he called for Fred to go to school, and on his way to the side door
walked lightly and somewhat nearer the kitchen window than was absolutely
needful. Looking in, he saw Fred standing at the table with a dishcloth in
his hand.
10. Of course he reported this at school, and various were the greetings
poor Fred received at recess. "Well, you're a brave one to stay at home
washing dishes." "Girl boy!" "Pretty Bessie!" "Lost your apron, have n't
you, Polly!"
11. Fred was not wanting either in spirit or courage, and he was strongly
tempted to resent these insults and to fight some of his tormentors. But
his consciousness of right and his love for his mother helped him.
12. While he was struggling for self mastery, his teacher appeared at the
door of the schoolhouse. Fred caught his eye, and it seemed to look, if it
did not say, "Don't give up! Be really brave!" He knew the teacher had
heard the insulting taunts of his thoughtless schoolmates.
13. The boys received notice during the day that Fred must not be taunted
or teased in any manner. They knew that the teacher meant what he said;
and so the brave little boy had no farther trouble.
DEFINITIONS.--1. Lan'guid-ly, feebly. 5. Am'ply, fully. O-pin'ion,
judgment, belief. 9. Ab'so-lute-ly, wholly, entirely. 11. Re-sent', to
consider as an injury. Con'scious-ness, inward feeling, knowledge of what
passes in one's own mind.
EXERCISES.--Why did Fred offer to wash the dishes?
Was it a disgraceful thing to do? How was he rewarded?
How did his schoolmates show their lack of manliness?
XV. TRUE MANLINESS. (52)
(Concluded.)
1. "Fire! fire!" The cry crept out on the still night air, and the fire
bells began to ring. Fred was wakened by the alarm and the red light
streaming into his room. He dressed himself in a moment, almost, and
tapped at the door of his mother's bedroom.
2. "It is Mr. Barton's house, mother. Do let me go," he said in eager,
excited tones. Mrs. Liscom thought a moment. He was young, but she could
trust him, and she knew how much his heart was in the request.
3. "Yes, you may go," she answered; "but be careful, my boy. If you can
help, do so; but do nothing rashly." Fred promised to follow her advice,
and hurried to the fire.
4. Mr. and Mrs. Barton were not at home. The house had been left in charge
of the servants. The fire spread with fearful speed, for there was a high
wind, and it was found impossible to save the house. The servants ran
about, screaming and lamenting, but doing nothing to any purpose.
5. Fred found Tom outside, in safety. "Where is Katy?" he asked. Tom,
trembling with terror, seemed to have had no thought but of his own
escape. He said, "Katy is in the house!" "In what room?" asked Fred. "In
that one," pointing to a window in the upper story.
6. It was no time for words, but for instant, vigorous action. The
staircase was already on fire; there was but one way to reach Katy, and
that full of danger. The second floor might fall at any moment, and Fred
knew it. But he trusted in an arm stronger than his own, and silently
sought help and guidance.
7. A ladder was quickly brought, and placed against the house. Fred
mounted it, followed by the hired man, dashed in the sash of the window,
and pushed his way into the room where the poor child lay nearly
suffocated with smoke.
8. He roused her with some difficulty, carried her to the window, and
placed her upon the sill. She was instantly grasped by strong arms, and
carried down the ladder, Fred following as fast as possible. They had
scarcely reached the ground before a crash of falling timbers told them
that they had barely escaped with their lives.
9. Tom Barton never forgot the lesson of that night; and he came to
believe, and to act upon the belief, in after years, that true manliness
is in harmony with gentleness, kindness, and self-denial.
EXERCISES.--Relate the story of the fire. What is meant
by "to any purpose," in paragraph four? Did Fred show any
lack of manliness when tested? What does this lesson teach?