The Shasta courier., 1870-05-14
SH ASIA ER.
HOW TOM BECAME A MEMBER OF
CONGRESS-.

nv" AOHA bECAmE n MEMBER OH
CONGRESS.
There was a little fellow among the New
England hills, years ago, as there are many
now. whose parents were poor He c"nld
not remember the time when lie wore shoes
and stockings in the Summer. Sometimes
in the Winter. when he was obliged to walk
three miles t., school and wade through snow
drifts that di1 not melt until the last If MAY.
he did wear SUCH as his fatner had -r.iec ed, /,
and pair Of shoes that slipped up ana down
every step be took. Nevertheless, they were
shoes and Stockings; and he was infinitely
prouder Of them than any king living is of
his crown.
One day, as Tom was plodding along with
his slip-shoes. putting from exertion and
blowing his blue fingers to keep them warm.
there came dashing down the hill a sleigh
such as the youngster had never seen no.
indeed, never dreamed Of. And the horse
Tom stopped blowing, so intense was his
admiration of the elegant creature that came
foaming and tossing his dainty arched neck
right and left
Tom sprang aside at the very last moment,
and as he sank deep in the light snow, tore
of his old cloth cap from his head, and bob
bed up and down as if be was in the presence
Of the President
Jump on behind, my lad, ;" shouted the
driver; Jump on behind" And Tom did
jump on. at the peril of his life, and away
they went. tearing along at great speed, un-
til over went the sleigh. and out went riders
and buffnloes, and things generally.
Tom sprnng to the horses head, and cling
ing to the bit 1.-THE tips of his great cowhide
shoes bare thouching the snow, asked if
the gentleman was burt.
mot bit of it. my lad" said he. shak-
ing himself free of the snow, 'only warmed
up a little What's the damage p
Nothing. sir, TINT can see," returned
Tom, his handsome face glowing with good
hum"r. as he yielded the horse 10 his owner.
well then, my lad, get in and we'll try
again. You are going to school, / see,"
added the stranger, as he gathered up the
reihs.
Yes, sir"
How far?"
Guess It's about two miles from here"
The gentleman turned and looked into his
face, and then glanced all over Toms figure,
even to his feet.
- He sees my Shoes" thought Tom, proud
ly, to himself, giving his shoes shove for
ward, TO make certain that they should be
seen
The gentleman did see them and smiled in
spite of himself. and glanced back to Toms
face.
lie then kindly pulled the warm furs
aruund the boy, and pulling his cap over J,
eyes, shouted, Go along, Nel!" and the
chestnut mare, now thoroughly sobered,
commenced the ascent of what was known
thercabouts as the long hill She was ev-
identity accustomed to having her own way.
for she avaied herself of every hollow to rest,
and did not allow herself to lie pressed for
ward until the whip applied.
Tom wondered what had possessed the
creature a few minutes before, He scratched
his head on the right side, and then on the
left. and finally, his Yankee curiuAity getting
the better Of his difidence, he veutured TO
ask
d" If you please, sir, what was it that made
the mare run ?"
" A stump." returned be gentleman with
a smile. Nell is a little aristncratie. and
SHES at ull plebeian things. She does not
know that stump was the making of her
MASTER"
Tom scratched his head again, and wig
gled all over. Then out came the question
. How could stump be the making of
man2''
My lad," answered the stranger mark
ing the smooth surface of the snow gently
with his whip-lash, II was poor boy. and
my father could not afford to send me to
school. We worked very hard. but used
to study evenings by the light of the fire.
and learned the whole of the Latin grammar
bv pitch knott
For moment Tom sat perfectly STILL
Then he asked, as if ashamed of his ignorance:
PLEASE, sir. what is Latin grammar 2"
This last question aroused the gentl, man.
and becoming sensible that the little fellow
was thirsting for knowledge. he very kindly
went over such parts Of his history as he
thought would be of interest TO him, and end
ed by saying that he was a Member Of Con-
gress.
The last announcement almost took Toms
breath away. He had heard of Members of
Congress. but he had an idea that they were
myths whom nobody ever saw. PEI haps the
awe with which Tom regarded him as he
glanced up sideways into his face. fattered
the gentleman. for he said. smiling. You
are Just as likely to be Member Of Congress
as ] | You know in America success is tn
the determi, ed and brave. If you study as
as did. you may possibly rise as high-yes.
perhaps higher ~
But haven't any Latin grammar, SIR"
said Tom.
NO? Well, would you like one 2"
.Yes. sir,'' cried Tom with flashing eyes
well, nv lad. ! shall come this way
again, and will leave one at the school house
for you"
'.But haven't any money"
d Never mind. you can pay when you get
to Congress"
Thank you," said Tom, !" ] won't forget
il, sir.
Tho gentleman looked down at him with
O auiysical smile, and the two rode on in
silence until they reached the school house.
Please don't forget the grapmar," sug
gssted Tom. rs be lifted the old cap again.
=. Not l." returned the gentleman. "A
man who cannot keep promise should not
make ons--hey, my lad
'sNsll'' tossed her head, and the boy soon
lost sight Of the rider. Then he looked down
at his shoes, looked at his coat, at bis old cap
4 -, kl,A 1twu orA