Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1879-05-28
Che family Cirele.
" Too Rich To Afford IT,

ldlIltT.
Mr.. Palmer raised his eyes in surprise
to the face of his first born. II lad about
fifteen.
And a bright intelligent face it was,
though little cloudcd now by feeling OF
as to how his words would be
taken.
Why don't you want to 90 to school any
more?
Well, sir, am tired of studying, and
| don't see any use Of it.
Think you know enough, that You don't
need any more?
The boy colored little at that quizzical
look and tone.
know as much as George Lyman does,
and he left school three months ago. lie
says that he amt going to drudge away
at school when his father has got plenty
of money.
Mr.. Palmer turned upon his sons face
q look of grave surprise.
Did George Lyman say that, Walter:
His father is Il poorer man than | thought
him.
You are richer than Mr.. LYNN is, aint
you, father? cried the boy eagerly.
| hoped | was; but that remains to be
seen.
Mr.. Lyman is rich too, father; every.
body says that he is.
That remains to be seen also. So you
have quite made up your mind that you
don't want to 90 to school any more, my
son? You needn't then.
Oh, thank you, father! his face brighten
ing up.
Waita minute, said Mr. Palmer, as the
boy caught up his hat preparatory to max.
ing II dive through the open door. Come
back; | have something more to say tc
you. You have nothing to thank me for
except, perhaps my good intentions
Considering it as the best gift | could be-
stow, it was my intention to give you Il
thorough education But there is Il home
ly but true saying: Zone man can lead
4 horse to water, but ten cannot make him
drink" So, though have by no means
changed my opinion as to the value of an
education, consent 10 your leaving school
because if you feel rs you do, it will be
only time and money thrown away. But
want you to understand clearly one
thing; that if you don't 90 to school you
will have to 20 TO work. | can't afford
to have you idle.
Walters countenance underwent IL very
perceptible change.
Do you mean that must 90 out at
days work like Dan Baker and Sam
Blake.
l mean that you must have some steady
some trade or business,
which will give you just so many hours
work, as surely rs the sun rises.
Why, father. George Lyman and Will
Bromly don't have TO work; and they
say they don't mean to, either; George
told me that he heard his father say you
were the richest man in the county.
Knight be the richest man in two
counties and yet not be able to afford to
have my boy idle.
Mr.. Palmer smiled as he saw Walters
puzzled look.
This is hard thing for you to under
stand, my son, and | might talk to you
from this time till sunset and not make it
any more clear to you. To morrow is
and you know | always take
you somewhere that day. This time it
shall be to Plainlield, where an old school
mate of mine is living. A visit to him,
and the place where he lives will better
explain my meaning than anything | can
say.
The next morning Walter and his faith
or started out, bright and early, in the
open phaeton, drawn by a pair of we'll
mettlesome bays, which bore
them swiftly along the smooth hard road
Pninlield was nearly fifteen miles dis
Lant, and the way thither through such n
country, and SO entirely new to
Walter, that he had forgotten all about
what his father had said the day before
until the carriage stopped in front of II
gloomy stone building.
Are you going to stop here. father?
Why, it looks like prison.
1t is prison, said Mr.. Palmer, who
mad been unusually grave and silent dur
ing the ride, as Walter afterwards remem-
bered.
But thought we were going to see an
old schoomate of yours?
Here is where he lives.
Waiter followed him silently up the
steps which led TO the massive door of the
main entrance.
Did you ever think that any one of
your schoolmates might find Il home in
some such place as this?-or that even
you might? said Palmer, us he pulled II
bell whose clangor broke harshly upon
the strange silence that reigned around.
Before Walter could reply the heavy door
swung back and they were ushered into
The warden's office.
He was a heavily bearded man, with II
stern, almost forbidding couutenance; but
he had met before, bestowing on Walter a
pleasant word and smile, the latter giving
his face quite another aspect.
came to inquire about John Jackson,
the forger, said Mr.. Palmer, after Il few
words, lie is an old school
mate of mine. remember him as high
spirited boy, rather headstrong, and fonder
of play than study, but with many genial
and pleasant traits of character. How is
he getting along?
Very well. Had he been competent,
should have given him place as book
keeper, made vacant by convict whose
time was up. As it was had to put him
in the shoe shop. He is quiet, but he
takes IL pretty niTu, us SUCH chaps are apt
to who have always had plenty of money
and nothing to do. 1t is not in strict nc
cordance with the rules, but if you would
like TO see him I'll have him sent out.
Mr.. Palmer assented, and in few min
utes grave, quiet man entered, whose
closely cut hair and peculiar dress gave
him very strange look to Walter, who
had never seen anything like it before.
He seemed glad to see Mr.. Palmer,
though there was Il visible contrast in
manner which showed that he felt keenly
his changed position and surroundings.
Of the two Mr.. Palmer seemed most af.
fected. His voice broke II little, rs he
said
= | am glad to see you, Mr.. Jackson, but
sorry, very sorry to find you here.
You can't be more sorry than | am tC
find myself here. said the man with 4
forced smile.
Then, rs if anxious to change the sub
iect, he turned to Walter.
l needn't ask whose boy this lisp