The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1879-03-28

only Robson Crusoe, papa
Only Robinson Crusoe I'm astonished
at you, Henry Nelson, spending your time
over such trash as that when the book
shelves are full of histories, PHILOSOPHERS,
and compendiums. Is that the way, do you
suppose, to become an intelligent aud we'll
read man? Give me the book
Harry reluctantly delivered into his faith
er's hands the pretty morocco bound VOL
ume, Mr., Nelson turned il over and over
again with supercilious air.
Where did you get this p
John Peaslee lent it to me, sir.
'He lent it to you, did he? And a pre-.
cious loan it is. Go right away and carry it
back to him.
But sir
Not word of remonstrance-do as l tell
you
Papa, haven't finished it.
All the better for you-you have already
wasted too much precious time over it. The
idea of boy like you, with his education
yet incomplete, sitting down to Robinson
Crusoe =
The accent of sneerng contempt with
which his father pronounced the last two
words brought scarlet blood to Harry Nell
sons cheek, but he obeyed without sylla-
BILE of remonstrance.
There said the father, rubbing his hands
triumphantly, 4 think I've put an end to
that Robson Crusoe nonsense
Are you sure you have done rightly, my
my dear !? quietly asked Mrs. Nelson,
who had been silently at work in the bay
window which opened out of the library.
| Rightly? OF course have. Is the boy
to spend his whole time in reading such alb
surd, improbable trash p
Harry is very good student, and ] do
would hurt him, merely by way of recrea-
ton
We'll, do,' said Mr. Nelson, irritaby.
I don't choose to allow it,
Mrs. Nelson sighed softly, but offered no
further remonstrances in her secret heart
she was convinced that her husband was al
together too severe with their boy, hut she
knew it would be productive of little good
to express her opinion.
Henry grandfather will be here to.mor-
row. she thought, and perhaps his advice
and counsel may have good effect.
Mrs. Nelson looked forward with great
anxiety to this visit of her husbands father
she somehow felt that things were going
wrong in Harry's training and education,
and she trusted with blind womanly faith
that some influence would supervene to pro-
tect her son from the hardening effect of
daily reproof aud perpetual restraint.
james entertains a deeper respect for his
father than for any other living soul,' she
thought as she arranged the furniture in
the handsome suite of apartments destined
for his use; if can only win him over to
my way of thinking
Judge Nelson arrived-a spare, hale
looking little old gentleman, with hail
thickly strewn with gray, and blue eye al
keen and penetrating as that of falcon
nor did it take him very long to perceive
the exact state of things in his sons house
hold.
And what do you think of our Harry
sir p demanded the younger Mr., Nelson
rubbing his hands complacently, when the
boy had gone to his bed at the close of the
first days visit.
'He is fine boy-a very fine boy sait
the judge, briefly, and with that verdict tn,
father was more than content.
He is a good, conscientious fellow, and il
unusually forward in his studies, said Mr.
Nelson. Il should like you to look owe
them to. morrow, SIR
4 will do so, said the judge.
And, for al only son, he really has yer.
few faults went on Mr.. Nelson. 'Ot course
like other boys of his age, he has his fail
ipgs-'
But they can scarcely be called failings
James, meekly interposed Mrs Nelson. :
think you are sometimes too severe witt
him.
The keen-eyed old gentleman glanced
from one to the other in silence he perfect
ly comprehended the situation of affairs.
'Severel Nonsense, Mary, you woul
spoil the child if you had your own way,
said MIR. Nelson little impatiently.
The family were assembled round tn
breskfast-table the next morning when Judg
Nelson came down and Harry was, a
usual, receiving constant admonition fror
his father.
Harry, take your elbows off the table, 81
this minute l am astonished at yol
You are not holding your fork rightly; Hal
p. Now see here, young man, if you don
pay a little more attention to what ! say
you, you will be sent away from the t.
e BILE.
Harry bit his lip with intense mortifci
q ton. Mrs. Nelson looked annoyed, III
Judge drank his coffee in silence.
. Where are you going, Harry /? demandt
the father, as his son took his cap after brea
I; fast.
Just over to Tom Leslie's, sir, TO arran
about that boating match
~ Put up your cap and remain at home 5
Have you no lessons to look over befo
. school p
a Yes, sir ; but shall have plenty of tir
a. for those after come back : it is not eig
~ o'clock yet
<. Permit me to be the judge of that, Harr
" said Mr.. Nelson automatically. Il choC
I'd that you shall remain at home and dew
10 yourself to your studies. Idleness in a o
w of your age is fault too heinous to be t
II Grated
,g How old are you, Harry p inquired
III grandfather, as the disappointed boy
ey down to his study.table,
ot Il am fourteen, SIR
er Fourteen ?-you are nearly man, 81
lie the old man, musingly.
rs Il wish he would conduct himself lii
ID, more like man, said Mr. Nelson. 'Ha
nd where are your feet, and why don't you
off up little straighter when you study p