How John Became a Man: Life Story of a Motherless Boy

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hing; but again he failed to understand the true longings of the young heart. He failed to see that the boy was being crushed by sinful habits, and that for parental care and inte

: "John, we have drifted apart. We are not to one another what we used to be. Stop, my boy; sit down here. Let us carefully talk these things over before you take such a step. Out in the

mined to go, you may, only remember to try to do as nearly right as you can! I have wanted to bring you up well fo

m at home, he certainly would have remained. As it was, he soon gathered together his belongings, and wh

d with numbers of boys, some of whom were very wild and rough. But because of the companionship of Will during the winter months, the evil influences of his wide circle of friends had not been so strong. But when the cou

whiskey; and for the same reason John began to use it. Whiskey did perhaps satisfy for the time being; but John also discovered that the seemingly good effect was very soon gone and that the

o defray. And now with the amount he had to pay for his whiskey added to what he was already spending for beer and tobacco, his bills were so high h

the Old

"the captain." All the hired help worked under one manager, or b

few weeks after John's arrival. "And the captain says we must be sure and get

gateway, Farmer Z stepped into the doorway; and when he greeted the men with a kindly "Good morning," John particularly noticed his countenance and expression and wondered why he was so different from the comrades with whom he had always associated. He noticed,

room, saying, "We always have reading and prayer immediately after breakfast and would be glad to have you all j

not strange that John should feel as he did; for he had so often associated other scenes with that of learning the prayer, but had since that time heard very little about the Bible. In fact, the only part of the Bible that he had ever read was a few verses in the small New Testament that had belonged to hi

rmer, calling to them in words that were gentle but firm, said, "We always have our help come in with us for worship." Seeing then that there was no way around going in except to stoutly refuse, the two returned to the house; a

s own in his hand. He dropped it, however, beside his chair; then he began to watch the children and to try to do just as they were doing. But as no two of the youngsters were doing the same thing, he again felt troubled. The older members of the

ipped down upon his knees. For some reason that he could not understand, a burning shame that seemed to benumb his whole being swept over him, and he could ha

own face with his hands, he gave a quick glance toward Mr. A, his boss. Mr. A was kneeling beside his chair, b

ad boy naturally. He was ignorant of what was right. He had never understood that there is a Savior and that that Savior loved him and left an example for him to follow. To be sure, he had often heard both his S

thought it would, and he decided to watch and see. The day was ideal, and the help orderly; and God kept them free from accident and trouble. It wa