Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1879-12-28
TOM AND THE CONGRESSMAN,

New England hills, years ago, as there
are many now, whose parents were poor
He could not remember the time when
he wore shoes and stockings in the Sum-
mer. Sometimes in the Winter, when
he was obliged to walk three miles to
school, and wade through snowdrifts that
did not melt until the last of May, he did
wear such as his father had rejected, and
a pair of shoes that slipped up and down
every step he took. Nevertheless they
were seoes and stockings; and he was in
finitely prouder Of them than any king
living is Of his crown.
One day. as Tom was plodding along
with his old slip-shod shoes, putting from
exertion and blowing his blue fingers to
keep them warm, there came dash1ng
down the hill a sleigh such as the young
ster had never seen; no indeed nor ever
dreamed Of. And the horse Tom stopped
blowing, so intense was his admiration
OF the elegant creature that came foam
ing and tossing its dainty arched neck
right and left.
Tom sp1ang aside at the very last mo.
ment, and as he sank up to his chin in
from his head and bobbed up and down
as if he were in the presence of the Presi-
dent
Jump on behind, my lad, jump on be-
hind" shouted the rider. And Tom did
jump on at the peril of his life, and
away they went, tearing along with great
speed until over went the sleigh and out
went the riders and buffaloes, and things
generally.
Tom sprang to the horses head, and
clinging to the bit, the tips of his great
cowhide shoes touching the snow, asked
if the gentleman was hurt.
''Not bit, my lad!'' said he, shaking
himself free of the snow. "Only warmed
up little. What's the damaged"
"Nothing, sir. that see, " replied Tom,
his handsome face glowing with good
humor, as he yielded the horse to his
owner.
"Well, then, my lad, get IN and we'll
try again. You are going to school, I
see,' added the stranger, as he gathered
up the relns.
eyes, SIR"
GLOW taI?''
"Guess it is about two miles from
here.
The gentleman turned and looked in
to his face, and then glanced all over
Toms figure, even to his feet.
'He sees my Shoes" said Tom proudly,
to himself, giving his feet shove for
ward, to make certain that they should
be seen.
The gentleman did see them, and
smiled in spite of himself as he looked
into Tom face.
He then kindly pulled the warm furs
around the boys ears, and pulling his cap
over his eyes shouted, 600 along, Nell!'
And the chestnut marc, now thoroughly
sobered, meekly commenced the ascent
what is known thereabouts as the long
mill. She was evidently accustomed to
,aving her own way, for she availed her.
Ell 5ot every little chance to rest, and did
no 1allow herself to be pressed forward
until the whip was applied.
Tom wondered what had possessed the
creature few minutes before. He scratch
ed his head on the right side and then on
the left, and finally his Yankee nature
getting the better Of his dlfidence he
asked:
eff you please, sir, what was it that
made the mare run?" .... ....
"a stump" returned the gentleman,
with smile. ''Neil is little aristocratic
and SHES at plebian things. She does not
know that stump was tho making of
her master.
Tom scratched his head again and
wriggled all over. Then out came the
question: GLOW Ivyll a stump be the
making of MANI" $780,.
my lad" answered the stranger, mark
ing the white surface Of the snow with
his whiplash, Il was poor boy, and my
father could not afford to send me to
school. We worked very hard, but l
used to study evenings by the light of
the fire, and learned the whole of the Lat
in grammar by the light OF one pitch
knot"
For moment Tom sat perfectly still.
Then he asked, as if ashamed of his igno-
rance:
"What's a Latin grammer, please sir?"
This last question aroused the gentle
man, and becoming sensible that the
little fellow at his side was thirsting for
knowledge, he very kindly went over
such parts of his history as he thought
would be an interest to him, and ended
by saying that he was g member of Con-
gress.
The last announcement almost took