And this was not all. He was so frugal, and industrious, that he was
able, besides providing for himself and mother, to contribute largely
toward the support of his aunt Eleanor and her daughter, who were very
poor, and without his help, might have suffered oftentimes for want of
the necessaries of life.
In return for his care, he had a wealth of love bestowed upon him by
mother, aunt and cousin, who often said, and often felt in their
hearts, that Josiah was as good a boy as ever lived. He enjoyed
perfect health, and had naturally a merry heart, so that every day of
his life, he was as happy as the birds. He expected to continue so,
through many long years: and never thought of dying until he got to be
an old man.
One pleasant summer morning, he rose early and prepared to leave home
to be absent a week. He had agreed to go and help Mr. Brown about
harvesting, and the farm being five miles from where his mother lived,
he could not come home before Saturday night. He bade his mother an
affectionate good morning, and started cheerily on his way. The road
ran by aunt Eleanor's door, so he thought he would just peep in, and
see how she was and tell her that he should not see her again for
several days.
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