Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1878-07-18
want to know when your uncle sails

Hadn't yesterday. The governor
isn't going TO let you 60, Is he?'
No matter whether he Is or not;
q just tell me where your uncle lives
The address was given and copied,
and Burt made hasty farewell to his
: friend, who watched him with wide.
lopen eyes. " tEsEats -El
believe my soul the fslIer is going
TO run away. Freedoms feol II he does
when he's got rich father was his
T brief and decided comment as he went
into the house.
III Two hours later the outward bound
train held, crouched in the corner OF
one of the seats, his coat buttoned close
up to his chin, his hat close over his
= yIeyes, our friend, Burt. In front Of him
sat fine looking man, Just about pa
pas age and size,' thought Burt to
himself with sharp twinge, as he
thought of the sorrow he was bringing
to that father.
Somehow, Burt felt quite attacted to
the man, and constantly kept his eyes
|, on him. Presently another man joined
him and they fell to talking about va
rious things. Burt not being interest
ed in the conversation, almost forgot
his interest in the stranger. Suddenly
he started up. What were they say
ling? He thought he heard the last
conner cay: Ford is pretty near falling,
j isn't hep
Gould it be papa he meant?' tho't
Burt, eagerly listening for reply.
Yes, Pm afraid SO; that Western
firms failure to-day will finish him,
guess. He's pretty blue tonight
His wife and daughters are pretty
extravagant and not much comfort to
him, guess. -
Neither Of them saw the half-vindic-
tive asserting nod OF the little boy just
back Of them, and the kind faced man
replied, Il know Ii; 1t has been great
trial to Ford. know him well. We
used to be chums at college. That son
\ Of his, too, is q great disappointment
to him. Il was there once when the
boy was q mere infant. Ford took
him in his arms and showed him to
me- Il look to him for comfort and
help In my old age, he said. Il can't
when heard that he was In bad COM
pany and on the quick road to ruin.'
Burt did not hear any more; he lean.
ed back In his seat, pulled his hat still
lower, while something very like unto
| tCdI5 AOllO0 0OWA OAOOhCs oy o11
by he reused himself somewhat. The
train was slackening-it would stop at
the station. The conductor stood wait
ing for him to show his ticket.
How soon does the next train go
back to M-?' he asked.
There's train waiting now" he
replied.
Burt's face frightened, and the con-
ductor passed on, wondering II he were
not some repentant runaway. The
train stopped, and Burt got out to step
on board the homeward bound train.
The clock was striking nine when he
landed once more In M. Up one
street, down another, and round the
corners Burt went with flying feet.
Yes, there was light at home In the
library. Papa was waiting for him,
probably.
But he had an errand to do first. He
stopped at the large white house on the
corner.
is Mr.. Wilson In? 1 want to see
him on business saB -
The servant half smiled as she led
the boy in. Mr.. Wilson looked upI
from his paper In surprise; this was the
boy he intended to expel from his
school tomorrow.
Good evening, Mr.. Wilson, have
come to have a little talk with you. II
have been very bad lately, In school
as well as oHt, and guess you mean
to expel me, don't you"
'Yes, sir; must confess that was my
Intention smilingly replied the gen
tleman.
But If 1 promise to do better,
mOuldnit Won fry Yna QOafn2'
Mr.. Wilson looked at the boy mo-
ment, and saw he was In true earnest. |
Indeed would, my boy -
THAT'S settled then,' said Burt, with
a sigh of relief. Now, want some
thing else. Dick Thorp is going away,
you know. May I have bis place Ia
king care of the school house? 1'll do
it tip top, SIR
If the good man had been aStounded
before, he was doubly so now.
L want to help my father added
Burt, by way OF explanation. He is
in hard place just now, and Pm 60
ing to take hold and help. Will you
let me have the placer
Yes heartily responded the astOn>
ished teacher, rs he gave his wayward
pupil warm grasp that spoke volumes
OF good will.
'Thank you thousand times, and
good highland Burt was out OF the
house and up the hill in twinkle.
Yes, there sat papa In the library.
He looked so careworn and anxious.
Burt slipped in quietly, and the poor
man was so absorbed in his anxieties
that he did not hear him until he stood
| by bis chair.
'Papa!'
'Burt-oh, Burt-my son!
Burt was in his fathers arms, and
two pairs of eyes we're very moist.
'Will you forgive me papa? Pvel
come back to be your comfort and
help
sThank God,' came fervently from
his fathers lips.
A week later Mr.. Ford called his
son to him.
How do you like your new occupa-
ton, taking care OF the school house?'
First rate 1 guess replied Burt,
hesitating little, for he was not used
to work.
well, my dear, 1 rather think you
can give it up. now. We shall pull
through, after ALL
Burt hesitated. Work was very dis
tasteful to him, but finally he spoke
with desperate effort:
Papa, I guess, II you are willing,
I'd better keep on. You see, Pm aw-
fully tempted to go back sometimes;
and if Pm busy won't be SO likely to.
And I believe 1 shall think better Of
myself If 1 earn enough to pay you
what you had to pay that fellow
But neither that fellow nor any of
his class ever had Mr.. Ford's son Bur-
ton for debtor again.
ADeaf Mans Musings.
He is rich who Is poor enough to be
generous.
To extOl ones own virtues Is to make