The Lamoille news. (Hyde Park, Vt.) 1877-1881, 1879-07-23
THE LAST DITCH.

Fred Grover sat in his attic.up town
A few short months before, Fred had
left his home in Massachusetts, to study
medicine in New York. His father had
given his son some good advice, and
(what Fred thought great deal more
valuable) five hundred dollars to pay
his board bills and other necessary ex-
penses. His mother had given him a
new set of shirts, some flannel jackets, a
fifty dollar bill-which she had saved
from her housekeeping expenses-made
him promise to be good boy-which
Fred very readily did, for he intended to
be if he could-and off he started.
When Fred arrived in New York he
set to work manfully, having determined
to rival Mott or Carnochan in very
short time or ANONYMOUSLY retire from
the profession.
New York is very seductive, and /
am sorry to say it-Fred Grover was
very fond of pleasure. Consequently,
he soon became IN accomplished player
at billiards, and quickly discovered the
houses where the best drinks and dinners
could be obtained.
When young men indulge zoo freely in
good dinners, cigars. ETC., they observe
with surprise how quickly their money
disappears. 1t was so with Fred, for
having occasion one day to draw twenty
dollars out of the bank, where he had
deposited his money, he was somewhat
disconnected by being told that there
was only two dollars and some odd cents
to his credit. ..... e..
Fred went home feeling pretty badly.
What to do he did not know. Having
been in New York only three months
and spending five hundred and fifty dol
lars, he couldn't write home for more
no, I'll, at was impossible, so he made up
his mind to attend lectures regularly
and study tremendously hard.
Poor Fred!
So things went on for four or five
weeks. Fred had visited pawnbroker
several times, and had left that gentle
man, who so kindly lends money to
those who are in want of it, his watch,
II dozen shirts, one or two coats, and
several pairs of pantaloons.
Fred's landlady had received no
money for some time, so she. began to
importune him for payment, and had
limited mildly that if some was not
forthcoming very shortly Fred would
have to find new clearinghouse.
Well, as | said before, Fred Grover
sat in his attic, pondering over his i'll
luck--as he called it, but correctly
speaking, over his improvidence-and
deploring the hour that brought him to
New York.
How seldom we think of blaming our
own imprudence! We generally man
age to find an excuse for our little weak
nesses.
off" mused Fred, / were to write
to mother, know she'd send on the
money; but | can't do that-no, I'll
starve first. l wonder if-come in!''
The last two words were shouted in a
tone much louder than there was any
occasion for, but Fred had been inter-
rupted by tap at the door, and it had
somewhat startled him.
The door slowly opened and in stalked
matronly-looking woman, with rather
red face, and who had three curls on
each side of her face.
Fred turned all manner of colors.
"Mr. Grover" said the lady, would
you let nae have some money, if you
pleaseP"
81 haven't any to-day, Mrs jackson,
but, but"
"But what, sirp" and thematronly-
looking woman frowned at poor Fred.
"I was going to say expect a remit
tance from home in a day or two, and
then I'll give you some."
Mrs. Jackson's face twitched about all
manners of ways; finally she said:
"If you cannot let me have some
money tomorrow, Mr.. Grover, | shall
feel obliged to you if you will get
another boarding-house."
Fred readily promised to let her have
some money the following day, though
where he was going to get it from hi
hadn't the widest idea. However, il
was respite, and he shouldn't have tc
face Mrs, Jackson till the following day
When we owe money and promise tc
pay tomorrow, what long way of
that morrow appears.
ynho,. Mro TanLuny, had loft tho NOON