It was really wonderful what success attended our little match boy. Not only were many daily comforts provided, but quite a sum was laid by for time of need. Ernest was almost too happy when he saw both his mother and Rosy dressed neatly in frocks which had been bought with his earnings; and his only trouble was, that he had not yet been able to discover the good gentleman who had lent him the first dollar.
“I should so love to thank him, and tell him how nicely we are getting along,” he would sometimes say. “Your cheeks are not quite so pale as they used to be when you sewed so many hours in the night, mother. I am very glad that I am old enough to help you.”
“You are a great help to me, indeed, my son,” replied Mrs. Lawrence; “but I feel anxious that you should have a little time to devote to your learning. We have some money laid by now, and I think you may let your basket rest for awhile, and attend school.”
Ernest loved his books, and his eyes brightened at the thought of school; but after a moment’s thought, he said,
“It would not do, mother, to give up my basket altogether, because there are a good many kind ladies who buy many things from me, and always wait for me to come; and besides, we should soon spend the little money that we have, and then you would have to work so hard again. But I will study, mother; you will help me, and I will try my best. I can spare two or three hours every day for my books.”
And from that time, with his mother’s help, and his own patient industry, Ernest made rapid progress; and even found leisure to instruct his little sister in several branches.
Rosy was an active little girl, and loved to make herself useful. It was her busy fingers that placed everything in such neat and attractive order in her brother’s basket; and it was she, also, who made the room look so very bright and cheerful, to welcome his return. While her mother was engaged with her sewing, she would sweep the floor, wipe every particle of dust from the scanty furniture, set the table, and do everything that one so young could do toward preparing their frugal meal.
“See, Ernest,” she said, as her brother seated himself by her side one evening, after the tea table was cleared away, and Mrs. Lawrence had resumed her work. “See how nicely I have pasted this strip of sand paper over the mantel-piece, that you may have a place to light the match upon when you kindle the fire for mother in the morning.”
“Yes, it looks very nicely,” answered Ernest; “and I will try to remember never to draw the matches across the wall any more, since it leaves such ugly marks. But, Rosy, I see those same marks in very nice houses sometimes.”
“Perhaps they did not think about pasting up sand paper,” replied Rosy, thoughtfully; and then, after a moment’s pause, she added, “You might cut some little strips, Ernest, and sell them with your matches.”