The Shasta courier., 1870-05-14

meQ OVerc0at ana out0t OF the stranger
Never mind" said Tom to himself, Il
will have them all too, when / am Mem Der
of Congress"
At the end Of two weeks bundle Of books
was left Mt the school house. There WAS not
only Latin grammar, but well worn copy
of Virgil, Esop's Fables, and sundry other
volumes such as Tom had never seen.
Pine knots were plentiful where Tom lived,
and he sat up until mid night all the rest of
the Winter. pondering over the mysteries OF
those bonks.
As luck would have it, the school master.
who boarded around with his pupils. had
not eaten the rations due him at Toms fath
er's. When he arrived be entered warmly
into the buys ambitious PROJECTS, and as he
had smattering of Latin himself. was quail
fled to aid his pupil.
Although the schoolmaster was allowed
the use of tsllow candle. be vastly prefer
red the more brilliant light Of Toms pitch
knot; So, that as often as the long Winter
evenings sci in, the master and pupil might
have been seen (and were seen) sitting be
fore the large tire place with their heads bur
led in the pages of the books, along which
they plodded slowly, but to such purpose
that at the end Of Winter Tom could read his
fable aid solve his poblem in manner very
creditable to himself and master.
1t was uphill work with poor Tom. but he
never lost what little he gained, and managed
to make what little he accomplished to tell
on the future.
One day his father brought home stranger,
and told Tom that he was apprenticed during
his minority, to this man, who would make
him blacksmith.
|" But am not going to be blacksmith -
cried Tom. in a passion; "I'm going to
Congress-"
= The more need you should learn to shoe
the horse that carries you there" replied the
father, with shrug.
Tom packed up his worldly goods not for
getting his books, ard logged away to dis
tant village. where he pared horses hoofs by
day, and studied and read by night by stealth
Tor he was allowed neither pine knot nor
candle.
For six months the poor fellow tried to be
faithful to his duty; lut one night, when lis
master had thrown his grammar into the fire.
and hngged him for his dsobedience, Tom
took leave OF the workshop. He made his
way, barefooted as he was, over bogs and
briars, until be ventured into the main road
and by dint of begging ride now and them
IShCbcu tAS OitJ- Den I TdilklIIl DdQ ut1Ilt
before him. with his roll under his arm
and sought and obtained employment.
Perhaps the happiest day Of Toms life was
when be found himself in the antiquarian
bouk store, with plenty of leisure. plenty Of
books, aud nothing to fear from friend or foe
1t was wonderful how be read---and read
and read. The parched earth does not more
greedlly take in the Summer rain.
II. -: II
satisfied, he began to work He saw the
ladder up which he must climb, and seizing
the lowest round, he made bis way steadily
upward. We all know by what steps an am
hilious man makes progress-hy patient toll
by self-denial-hy courteous deportI .ent--
by constant acquisition of knowledge
Years passed BY, during all of which Tom
had onked for his early friend the stranger
In his timid nwkwardness. he had not thought
to ask the name Of his benefactor, and the
only opportunity to do SO had been lost
Well, years gIided away, and Tom was
elected Member of Congress from the very
county where he had spent his struggling
boyhood. liz went to Washington, not il
cowhide shoes and butternut colorpd home
spun, but something us imagination hsd
pictured. as he Looked after his benefactor OF
the eventtul day of the sleigh ride
A nober looking man, the ladies in the
galleries said. never had appeared upon the
fonr than this Yankee member, who, if lie
did speak through his nose. always drove his
arguments home to the mark.
One day there appeared in the House the
venerable form Of an ex. member. whom all
present delighted tn honor. 1t needed but
one glance at the genial faee for Tom to
rec gnize in him the gver of the Latin Gram
mar.
He had come" he said, "to listen to
the gentleman who had so mani lly defended
the right, and to wish him God speed" at
the same time extending his hand to Tom
who grasped it warmly.
If, said Tom, with his .old modesty.
III 1t has been my good fortune to d. any
thing for our common country in her hour OF
peril. owe my ability to do So. in q great
measure, to yourself.
To me + echoed the astonshed gentle
men. TO me!' do not reccolect ever
having had the pleasure ofmeeting you before
in my life."
All, sir. have you forgotten, then. tn.
little schoolbov among the hills of New
Hampshire. to whom You SO kindly sold
Latin grammar
THE gentleman mused.
Sold-sold Latin grammar. Now
that you recall the incident, ] do recolect u
little fellow who once interested me, and to
whom gave some school books"
Well, sir. am that boy. You told me
might pay for them when got To Congress
Ii you will honor me by meeting few friends
at dinner / will settle the bilEp