The Orangeburg news. [volume] (Orangeburg, S.C.) 1867-1875, 1868-01-11
can have chance to study us much as i

will soon get over it, AS for my part, / can't
ksee what you find SO interesting in books. I'd
rather go into the corn-fcld and work the
hottest aayih sahHier thaH to K&ve to i one
lessonfof ahyakihd.nt oa@ Los ,i,m1 ar"b %
II "Ijknow ithatd asaid. John; "its your nature,
but cant do the farm: work, it isn't in me- r
was never meant for it, and therefore, to-mpr-
row morning I'm going, come what may"
George tried to change his mind for somc
time, but finding him determined, helped him
to get ready to tho best of his ability forcing
him to nccept all his spare pocket money, tell
ing him that he. could lay it. when he got
rich. ,
"But one thing, Jack" said he, ssyhatcvcr
you do, be an honest ihiiadR' T. You'll make
smarter man than ever shall, T am sure of
that And romombcr, expect to be here as
long as,I live. So. IF at. any time tho world
goes hard with you, don't forget home"
+ The next morning ut breakfast, John was
missed. An examination of his room showed
that he had taken his little bundle Of clothes,
and gave evidence to his fathcr that he had
gone for good. ~. -a9 ?aa
"Ne:erimind, y. said he, she Il soon be back"
* -
Thirteen years have passed since John Nor
ton left the old homestead, aud contrary to his
fathers prediction, he had not come back.
In the meantime, things had not gone on
smoothly at the farm: lIarnlcr Norton had
given up the whole charge of the farm to
George, who had married a'girl in the neigh
borhood, and was now the father of five chill
dren. Years before, in case of. emergency,
Farmer Morton had mortgagcl the farm to
small amount, and ever since the marriage OF
George, in spite of all his excrtions, the mort
gage had been gaining ground, until now the
place must be sold, as he could not meet the
terms Of agreement
This was a terrible blow to George and the
old man, but there was no help for it; their
friends and ncighbors we're no bcttcro than
themselves, and therefore could not help them
had they beeu ever SO much inclined,
It WIS bitter cold night in December, and
they were seated around the kitchen fire. 1t
was to be their last night at homc for the
next day would be the sale, and then they
would be housclcss. Farmer Morton sat with
his head buried in his hands. At times he
would raise it up and gaze upon some cherished
article, rs if toltake a last farewell and then
bowips it ag;in, would sob aloud.
'Comc, come, father" said George, ':don't
DO SO .down-hoartcd. Cheer up, cheer up. l
am young yet and if live, and hard work
will do it, you shall come back to the old place
yet"
~ cannot hope for it, George" returned the
old man. "lt will require years of successful
labor and am old aud cannot last long L
had hoped to die in the old house, but am
afraid it cannot be. Sixty years have passed
+ here, boy and man, and it is hard to leave
They were interrupted by knock Mt the
door, and upon opening it, there entered "a
young man very shabby dressed, For mo-
mcnt he stood surveying the group, with tears
in his eyes, and then reached forth his hand
exclainng
George, do you not recognize me ?"
"Fathcr, it is John,' exclaimed George, ioy-
fully seizing his hand, and leading him towards
his father. rr
The old man arose, and turning towards him,
exclaimed:
"John, my son!' at the same time stretch
ing forth his arnls-thcn suddenly drawing
himself up to his full height, lie said, "John,
for thirtoon years you have been stronger to
me; during that time we have known neither
whore you were, nor what you were doing can
you give me the hand Of IN honest man 2"
81 can, sir !" replied John, proudly, and the
next moment he was folded in his fathers
arms. a.'a
Next followodiinquirios from ohm as to how
thngs had gone iii his absenco; and he soon
learned the whole story.
GAS for you" said George, 81 do not need
to ask how the world has gone with you-that
coat speaks for itself But never mind
have some better clothes up stairs, and you arc
welcome to take your pick. But what have
you becn doing, Jack; trying to get living
by books?" aiiaH
."Ycs," replied John, 81 have lived entirely
by books." 4~