Bristol news. [volume] (Bristol, Va. & Tenn.) 1867-189?, 1871-06-23

on the table. Itwas Miss Lucy Wares
missing button. Yes, Tom had seen
it when it dropped, picked it up, and
resolved to keep it as remembrance
of the tantaliZing siren who had so he
witched him. Some time, perhaps, he
would return it. He chuckled as he
thought of her discontinue, and her
blissful ignorance of who was the pos
SCISSOR of the lost trinket. Then the
foolish fellow gazed att long and earn
estly, finally placing it in an inside
pocket of his vest.
He went to a SHELTON which was
ranged choice collection of scientific
works, took one down. and commenced
reading. But his thoughts Iefusing to
concentrate themselves on the subject
of the book, he finally flung it aside
and went down stairs. He ast0nished
his mother the rest of the evening
by being unusually gay and vivacious.
He perpetrated fearful Jokes. and both
laughed until the tears ran down their
cheeks, thus insuring good nights
rest.
But change was coming. The next
day Tom bought pencils, compasses,
and drafting paper. and in the evening
shut himself up in his room. This
was repeated the next evening, and
at the end of week his mother learn
ed to look no more for the pleasant
hours they had been wont to spend to-
gether after tea. Tom grew pale, and
his face assumed a Thoughtful, resolute
look. And soon he drew half of his
two hundred dollars from the bank
and fitted up a little workshop in a
back chamber. Here the sound of fl
ing and hammering was heard late in
to the hours of almost every evening.
Tom was working out his idea, whatev-
er ii was; and it was plainly no child's
play with him, but "A game in which
he had staked his ALA battle for life
or death. His earnest face told this,
always soberly Tneditative now, and
scarcely ever relaxing into a smile
His mother noticed this; Mr.. Dunning
noticed it; but he discharged all his
daily duties with rigid fidelity, and
gave short answers to expressions of
concern. And thus the winter passed.
One August day Mr.. Dunning said
Shelly, you are entitled to a vacation,
and you look as though you needed it.
Go off for couple of weeks. Your
pay shall 90 on the same"
- | don't want it now, sir. I'm all
right"
''Ah, but Pm afraid you are not all
right. You are pale and thin"
" | would prefer to work on for the
present." persisted Tom. 81 may
want vacation before long. I'll ask
for it when do"
- "All right. Don't be afraid to men
ton it Only don't wait till the busy
season."
For the next three weeks Tom stuck
later than ever to his little workshop.
evenings, and often toiled there until
the wee small hours were toIled out by
the lonely solemn town clock.
At the end of that time he went to
py-loOking eyes. Yet he had disin
Ierested air.
Now, sir, want my vacation.
When? ?" said Mr.. Dunning.-I
We've just got in some big orders,
you know"
q" cant help it sir. must have a
week"
a. You must P"
Pm sorry, sir; but rather than not
have it, I'd throw mp my place"
"Why. what's the row, Shelly ?
Anything going wrong?"
mo, sir l hope you will pardon
my persistence, but can L so for
week ?'
"WelI, yes" said Mr.. Dunning, re-
fectively, Il suppose so. You ought
to have taken it in the summer,
though. But since you ask for only a
week, you shall have it,"
That night Tom packed something
very carefully in n small box, bade his
mother goodbye, and started for Wash
ingtOn.
CONCLUDED NEXT WEEK.