Page:The grandmother; a story of country life in Bohemia.pdf/270

264 He said that his uncle persuaded him to give it up, telling him that he would suffer much want, would knock about from school to school, from official to official, before he could earn a mouthful; that a trade, on the contrary, had a, golden bottom, and that it was so much the better for him, if he was likewise educated. In short, George listened to his uncle and learned the weaver’s trade; and because he always did everything with a good will, he prospered in this also.

"In a year he finished his apprenticeship, and his uncle sent him to travel, to gain more experience by working with different masters. His first journey was to Berlin, and on his way there he stopped with us in Bohemia, and on that occasion brought me this rosary."

So saying, Grandmother pulled from her bosom a bladder-nut rosary. She looked at it for a moment, kissed it, hid it in her bosom, and continued:

"My father did not blame George for learning the trade; he told Mrs. Novotny not to mind it, saying: 'Who knows to what good this may lead? Let him alone; as he has sowed, so shall he reap. Though he should weave tow, if he understands his business and remains a good and honest man, he will be as worthy of honor as any lord.' George was glad that his god-father was not offended with him, for he thought as much of him as if he were his own father. Finally, his mother became reconciled,—how could she help it when he was her only child, whom she dearly loved? She could not desire that he should feel unhappy in his occupation. He remained with us a few days, and then went out into the world, and for three years we did