Their Father | AdventAI

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Washington, D. C. · Jul 16, 1914

“Their Father”

It is true that of necessity the burden of the home cares must fall on the mother. She must kiss away the tears, and bind up the bruised heads and hearts of the little ones. She must keep the machinery running smoothly day after day, week in and week out, the whole year through. But aside from being the bread winner, the duty of the father is forcibly set forth in the following little story by Lucile Lovell, in Herald of Life, May 24, 1914:—

“Bess closed the encyclopedia with a bang.

“‘Bother!’ she said, in such a loud whisper that Barton looked up from his algebra, and mother, who was sewing at the window, laid down her work.

“‘What is it, Bess?’

“‘It’s this dreadful lesson, mother. I’ve got to write something interesting about a man—and there’s nothing interesting about him.’

“‘What man?’ demanded Barton,

“‘Sydney Smith.’

“‘The encyclopedia must tell something about him,’ Barton persisted.

“‘That he was born in 1771 and died in 1845,’ pouted Bess. ‘He was an English clergyman and humorist. That means, of course, that he was funny; but how am I to know? That thing doesn’t tell a single thing he ever said.’

“‘He was something better than funny,’ said mother. ‘He was such a dear, delightful father that his children—Saba and Douglas—adored him, as their mother did, too. I know a little story about him that shows how well his children loved him, and why.’

“‘Truly?’ questioned Bess.

“‘Truly!’ said mother, smiling. ‘Once, when he was away from home, poor little Douglas was lying on the dining room sofa very ill, while Saba and their mother were at table. Mrs. Smith could not eat, and pretty soon she said:—

“‘Well, dear little Chuffy,’ that was his father’s name for Douglas, ‘I don’t see what is the matter with us both, but we seem very good for nothing.’

“‘Why, mamma,’ said Saba, ‘I’ll tell you what the matter is. You and Chuffy are sick and dull and unhappy because father is away; he is so merry that he makes us all gay. Our family doesn’t prosper, you see, without a father.’”

“‘Good stuff!’ said Barton, going back to his algebra

“‘That’s lovely! You’ve made that great man seem just like anybody’s father. I wish mothers wrote encyclopedias,’ said Bess, fondly.”