Smyrna times., 1879-08-13
How Tom Became a Member of Con-
gress.
BY MRS. G. W. FLANDERS.

BY MRS. G. W. FLANDERS.
There was little fellow among the 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 summer. Sometimes
in the winter, when he was obliged to walk
three miles to school, and wade through
snow drifts that did not melt until the last
of May, he did wear such as his father had
rejected, and pair of shoes that slipped
up and down every step he took. Never
theless, they were shoes and stockings
and he was infinitely prouder of them than
any king living is of his crown.
One day, as Tom was plodding along with
his slip-shod shoes, putting from exertion
and blowing his blue fingers to keep them
warm, there came dashing down the hill a
sleigh such as the youngster had never
| seen no, indeed, nor even dreamed Of
And the horsel Tom stopped blowing, so
intense was his admiration OF the elegant
creature that came foaming and tossing its
daintily arched neck right and left.
Tom sprang aside at the very last mo-
ment, and as he sank up to his chin in the
light snow, tore off his old cloth cap from
his head, and bobbled up and down as if
he was in the presence of the President.
"Jump on behind, my lad" shouted the
rider; "jump on behind" And Tom did
jump on, at the peril of his life, and away
they went, tearing alone with great speed
until over went the sleigh, and out went
riders and buffaloes, and things generally.
Tom springing to the horses head, and
clinging to the bit, the tips of his great
cowhide shoes touched the snow, asked if
the gentleman was hurt.
| ~ nf lo1 ba cbol
ing himself free of the snow, "only warmed
up little. What's the damage?"
Nothing, sir, that see," returned Tom,
his handsome face glowing with good
humor as he yielded the horse to its owner.
"Well, then, my lad, get in and we'll
try again. You are going to school, l see, u
added the stranger, as he gathered up the
reins.
eyes, sir"
"How far ?'
"Guess tits about two miles from here
The gentleman turned and looked into
his face, and then glanced all over Toms
figure, even TO his feet.
He sees my Shoes" thought Tom
proudly, to himself, giving his feet shove
forward to make certain that they should
be seen.
The gentleman did see them, and smiled
in spite of himself as he glanced back tc
Toms face.
He then kindly pulled the warm fur
around the boy, and pulling his cap owe
his eyes, shouted, "Go along, Nelll' Ant
the chestnut mare, now thoroughly sobered
meekly commenced the ascent of what wa
known thereabouts as the long hill. Sh
was evidently accustomed to having he
IS own way, for she availed herself Of ever.
little opportunity to rest, and did not ALLOW
herself to be pressed forward until the viii
e. was applied.
3 Tom wondered what had possessed tn
IL creature few minutes before. He scratche
u his head on the right side and then on tn
y left, and finally, his Yankee curiosity ge
81 ting the better of his dfidence, he venture
9 to ask:
IiSS IF you please, sir, what was it tha
D5 made the mare run?"
= "a stump" returned the gentleman, wit
50 a smile. Nell is little aristocratic, an
22S and SHES at all such plebean things. Sh
2f does net know that stump was the NAL
4 ing of her MASTER"
eS Tom scratched his head again, and wi
Il gled all over. Then out came the que
42 ton:
SSs "How could a stump be the making of
IA man2"
40 ing the white surface of the snow gent
q with his whiplash. II was poor boy, an
10 10 my father could not afford to send me
M school. We worked very hard, but use
40 to study evenings by the light of the fire
IN and learned the whole of the Latin graz
. mar by the light of one pitch knot"
- For moment Tom sat perfectly sti
n Then he asked, as if ashamed of his
III. norance:
"Plese, sir, what's Latin GRAMMAR T'
This last question aroused the gentlema
Y. and becoming sensible that the little fellC
at his side was thirsting for knowledge,
very kindly went over such parts of
history as he thought of interest to hi
nn- and ended by saying that hew was amembsr
Congress.
The last announcement almost took Il
NJ lads breath away. He had heard of me
50 bers of Congress, but he had an idea tn
20 were myths, whom nobody ever saw. P
OS haps the awe with which Tom regard
90 him as he glanced up sideways into
face, flattered the gentleman, for he sa
D smiling,
N' You are just as likely to be memI
N. of Congress as II You know, in Ameri
success is to the determined and brave.
you study as did, you may possibly rise
nlRu as yes
But haven't any Latin grammar, 81
Iar- said Tom.
lSRs lSRs "Nol Well, would you like one?"
eyes, sir ~ cried Tom, with fash
TsT ETi, eyes.
"Well, my lad, shall come this v
pit again, and / will leave one at the sch,
- house for you."
lxn "But haven't any money"
"Never mind, you can pay me when
get to Congress"
"Thank you," said Tom, +" l won't fol
it, SIR"
The gentleman looked down at him Y
run quizzical smile, and the two rode ol
silence until they reached the school-ho
10 "Please don't forget the grammar"
p NJ gested Tom, as he lifted the old cap ag
.l0$e 1879 "Not l." returned the gentleman.
1905 1905 man who cannot keep promise she
). $50 not make one-hey, my lad?"
. SsO S'aU Nell tossed her head, and the boy s
:. S.i5 lost sight of the rider. Then he loo
oos down at his shoes, at his coat, and his
" = sg5 cap as he>hung it on the peg in the Ell
:. s45 and silently contrasted them all with
." ~ S9G fur.trimmed overcoat and outfit of
!, : ,eost stranger. Never mind" said Tom
srwise himself, "I will have them all, too, v
=. am a member of Congress"
reiebt 1Shs At the end of two weeks a bund
books was left at the schoolhouse. L
upL .u.. ..ok oo1y n 0rornunor hnt