Beautiful Joe [11]
each one for himself, and they used to quarrel with each other in regard to
their rights. While we were in New York, we had only a small, back yard. When we
came here, I said, 'I am going to try an experiment.' We got this house because
it had a large garden, and a stable that would do for the boys to play in. Then
I got them together, and had a little serious talk. I said I was not pleased
with the way in which they were living. They did nothing for any one but
themselves from morning to night. If I asked them to do an errand for me, it was
done unwillingly. Of course, I knew they had their school for a part of the day,
but they had a good deal of leisure time when they might do something for some
one else. I asked them if they thought they were going to make real, manly
Christian boys at this rate, and they said no. Then I asked them what we should
do about it. They all said, 'You tell us mother, and we'll do as you say.' I
proposed a series of tasks. Each one to do something for somebody, outside and
apart from himself, every day of his life. They all agreed to this, and told me
to allot the tasks. If I could have afforded it, I would have gotten a horse and
cow, and had them take charge of them; but I could not do that, so I invested in
a pair of rabbits for Jack, a pair of canaries for Carl, pigeons for Ned, and
bantams for Willie. I brought these creatures home, put them into their hands,
and told them to provide for them. They were delighted with my choice, and it
was very amusing to see them scurrying about to provide food and shelter for
their pets, and hear their consultations with other boys. The end of it all is,
that I am perfectly satisfied with my experiment. My boys, in caring for these
dumb creatures, have become unselfish and thoughtful. They had rather go to
school without their own breakfast than have the inmates of the stable go
hungry. They are getting a humane education, a heart education, added to the
intellectual education of their schools. Then it keeps them at home. I used to
be worried with the lingering about street corners, the dawdling around with
other boys, and the idle, often worse than idle, talk indulged in. Now they have
something to do, they are men of business. They are always hammering and
pounding at boxes and partitions out there in the stable, or cleaning up, and if
they are sent out on an errand, they do it and come right home. I don't mean to
say that we have deprived them of liberty. They have their days for base-ball,
and foot-ball, and excursions to the woods, but they have so much to do at home,
that they won't go away unless for a specific purpose."
While Mrs. Morris was talking, her visitor leaned forward in her chair, and
listened attentively. When she finished, Mrs. Montague said, quietly, "Thank
you, I am glad that you told me this. I shall get Charlie a dog."
"I am glad to hear you say that," replied Mrs. Morris. "It will be a good thing
for your little boy. I should not wish my boys to be without a good, faithful
dog. A child can learn many a lesson from a dog. This one," pointing to me,
"might be held up as an example to many a human being. He is patient, quiet, and
obedient. My husband says that he reminds him of three words in the Bible
'through much tribulation.'"
"Why does he say that?" asked Mrs. Montague, curiously.
"Because he came to us from a very unhappy home." And Mrs. Morris went on to
tell her friend what she knew of my early days.
When she stopped, Mrs. Montague's face was shocked and pained. "How dreadful to
think that there are such creatures as that man Jenkins in the world. And you
say that he has a wife and children. Mrs. Morris, tell me plainly, are there
many such unhappy homes in Fairport?"
Mrs. Morris hesitated for a minute, then she said, earnestly: "My dear friend,
if you could see all the wickedness, and cruelty, and vileness, that is
practiced in this little town of ours in one night, you could not rest in your
bed."
Mrs. Montague