The Sumter watchman. [volume] (Sumterville, S.C.) 1855-1881, 1870-08-17

ASotn 70 lapor ana to wait"
"And how do you employ YOURSELF
when school is over ?" asked Hugh Ian
rie Of one Of his companions.
"Why, I play, of oourse," replied
laude Danvers, whom he had address
ed.
"What all the evening, and on holi-
days also ?"
eyes, indeedw
"And do you never study"
ono, thank you have enough of
that in school.hours. Is a fellow never
to have any ep;oyme1t?"
eyes, certainly: and I love game of
ball, or good race, as much as YOU do.
But what will that avail when We grow
up! It is essential to acquire knowl-
edge"
"Oh, bosh p And Claude turned
away from his friend in disgust.
Let us follow these two boys to their
homes.
1t was lovely afternoon in June.
The sky above was cloudless blue, and
the SUMS rays lighted up every object,
from the lofty, glittering spire down to
the poor, oheerlcss alley. What pity
to pass such day in crowded, pent-.
up city !! How glorious it would be out
in the wild woods, away from the heat
and dust and shadowless streets!
One of the boys sauntered along, as if
overpowered by the exertion, to hand
some, brown.stone house with marble
steps-for Claude's father was rich
merchant. lie flung down his books
and hat, and threw himself upon a com i.
Portable lounge, saying
"Oh, any one can pick them up!"
A plate ofstrawberries and cream was
prepared for Linn.
"Minnie," he called, "bring me auoth.
er spoon; have dropped mine some
where"
So his little sister attended upon him
not from love, but because she feared
to disobey the youthful tyrant.
"Now, I'll take nap" said he.
awake me up when supper is ready"
Let US look upon more pleasant
picture.
Hugh Laurie walked briskly to his
home, u little four-room house in quiet
out-of,the-way street. He hung up his
hat, put aside his books, was cOntented
with drink of cool water, and thought
strawberrics--without the cream-a de.
lightful relish to his supper.
"iiave you any errands this evening
mother p"
eyes, my son q dress to send home.
1t is long way and too lonely for
Katie; but she will be glad to walk
with you, this pleasant evening"
Hugh sighed, but not audibly. He
felt weary, and had to stud, several
lessons for the morning; but, never
mind, he could rise an hour earlier.
All, how wise it is to make light Of
little troubles to heed them not, but
put them aside as we pass by. Imagine
each one merely straw, and see how
they accumulate, aud how the pleasant
pathway is crowded, hiding the bright
aowerets and green leaves from our
view.
Mrs. Laurie was a widow. During
her husbands lifetime they had known
better days, but their means died with
him; and since then, it was hard work
to support herself and two children !;
but she struggled bravely on, submit
ting to many deprivation for their
sakes. Seeing the bent of her sons
mind, she endcavored to procure him
good education, and for that purpose
the poor mother toiled early and late.
In the evenings, Hugh was his sisters
teacher, er,-unknowingly to himself
strengthening his own mind as his stu
dies Of the day were simplifcd and i'm
parted to his willing pupil.
"Oh, brother, what a kind lady
She has given me these flowers, and
lent me such a beautiful book said
Katie, returning from the house where
she left the dress, to hor brother, who
had waited without. "Hero's mothers
money: you must carry that"
"But what is the book, sis 2" for the
very name of book had magic inau-
ence upon Hugh.
"a work on botany, with engravings {:
I chose it myself Now, l shall find
out SO much wished to know"
What pleasant sight it soon became
to watch those children examining and
Classifying their flowers, and consulting
the botanical treaties to learn their
names
And Katie dreamed she was trans.
ported into fairy~land when she went to
bed that night, and every flower she
bcheld was the homo of littlo fairy.
Happy Katie may your dreams always
be as sweet and innocent!
The summer with its beautiful bios
SONS, and the autumn with its rich
fruits, came aud went. That long va
cation also was ended. How differently
had it been passed by the two boys!
Claude lounging about during tho days
heat, and in the cooler hours of the
evening playing round the door,-the
"hateful books" put away out Of his
sight.
But poor Hugh !--no, he is above our
pity! Hugh earned many dollar du-
ring those weeks by hard manual labor;
and there on his book.shelves, were the
evidence of his industry and determi-
nation. ~ bought them myself" he
would proudly exclaim, as he pointed
them out to his admiring friends.
Occasionally, the brother and sister