The Buchanan County guardian. (Independence, Buchanan County, Iowa) 1858-1864, 1860-06-13

acres, he imagined that because Samuel
made no progress in the same branch, he
was idle and careless, and treated him ac-
cordingly. He never candidly convers-
ed with his younger son with view to
ascertain the true bent Of his mind, but
he pertinacously adhered to it,
There was another thing that Mr.. Win
throp could not see, and that was, that
Samuel was continually pondering upon
such matter as was interesting to him,
and that he was scarcely ever idle nor
did his father see, either, that if he ever
wished his boy to become mathemati-
clan, he was pursuing the course to pre-
vent such result. Instead of endeav-
oring to make the study interesting for
the child, he was making it obnoxious.
The dinnerhour came, and Samuel
had not worked out the sum. His father
was angry, and obliged the boy to go
without his dinner, at the same time tell
ing him that he was an idle, lazy boy.
Poor Samuel left the kitchen ard sat
down and cried. AT length his mind
seemed to pass from the wrong he had
suffered at the hand of his parent, and
took another turn, and the marks of grief
left his face. There was a large fire in
the room below his chamber, so that he
was not very cold, and getting up he
went 10 small closet, and from beneath
a lot of old clothes he took forth some
long strips of wood and commenced whit
Ting. 1t was not for mere pastime that
he whitfield for he was fashioning some
curious affair from those pieces of wood
He had bits Of wire, little scraps of tin
plate, pieces of twine, and dozens of
small wheels that he had made himself,
and he seemed to be working TO get them
together after some particular fashion Of
his own.
Half the afternoon had thus passed
away, when his sister entered his cham
ber. She had her apron gathered up in her
hand, and after closing the door softly
behind her, she approached the spot
where her brother sat.
Here, Sammy-see, | have brought
you something to eat. know you must
be hungry"
AS she spoke, she opened her apron
and took out four cakes, piece of pie
and some cheese. The boy was hungry,
and he hesitated not to avail himself of
his sisters kind offer. He kissed her as
he took the cakes, and thanked her.
80, what pretty thing that is you
are making !" uttered Fanny, as she gaz-
ed upon the result of her brothers la
bors. " Won't you give it to me after it
is done ?"
Not this one, sister," returned the
boy, with smile, 4" but as soon as | get
time will make you one equally as pret-
ty."
Fanny thanked her brother, and
shortly afterwards left the room, while
the boy went on with his work.
Before long the various materials that
had been subject to Samuel's jack knife
and pnchers, had assumed form and
comeliness, and they were jointed and
grooved together in curious manner.
The embryo philosopher set the ma
chine-for il looked very much like a
machine-upon the floor, and then stood
off and gazed on it. His eye cleaned
with peculiar glow of satisfaction, and
he looked proud and happy. While he
stood and gazed upon the child of his
labors, the door of his chamber opened
and his father entered.
What-are you not studying?" ex-
claimed Mr.. Winthrop as he noticed the
boy standing in the middle OF the 1oor
Samuel trembled when he heard his
fathers voice, and turned pale with fear.
lIa, what is this 20 said Mr.. Win
throp, as he caught sight Of the curious
construction upon the floor. "This is
the secret of your idleness. Now | see
how it is you cannot master your studies.
You spend your time in making play
houses and fly-pens. I'll see whether
you'll learn TO attend to your lessons or
not There -
AS the father uttered this common in
junction, he placed his foot upon the
object of his displeasure.
The boy uttered quick cry, and
sprang forward, but too late. The curl
Gus construction was crushed 10 atoms
the labor of long weeks. Looking at the
mass of ruins, and then covering his
face with his hands, he burst INTO tears.
Amt you ashamed ?" said Mr
Winthrop, "a great boy like you to
spend your time in making clap traps,
and then cry about it, because choose
that you should attend TO your studies
Now. so TO the barn and help Jerry she'll
corn"
The boy was too full of grief TO make
any explanation, and without word he
LETT his chamber but for long days af-
ter be was weary and down hearted.
Samuel" said Mr.. Winthrop. one
day, after the spring had opened. Il
have seen Mr.. Young. and he is willing
to take you as an apprentice jerry and
| get along on the farm, and | think that
the best thing YOU can do is to learn the
blacksmith trade. have given up all
hopes OF ever making surveyor out of
you, and ifyou had a iarm you would
not know how 10 measure it or lay itout.
Jerry will now soon be able To take my
place as surveyor, and | have already
made arrangomentsf for having him sworn
and Obtaining his commission. But your
trade is good one, however, and have
l.