Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1879-04-02

luekiest thing for me that ever was? Ii
mother was at home. couldn't rush out of
the house at four o'clock in the morning
it without her knowing why and there would
he an end of my fun.
Mr.. Sampson said he never had boy
who learned the route 50 quick. He went
with him for two or three mornings, and
then Sam was already to try it alone. He
had systematic way of taking things that
reminded us of his father; and he was so
bright and pleasant spoken that the eusto-
mers all liked him.
Well, the fortnight passed, and then he
had letter from his mother, saying that
her sister was failing fast and she couldn't
bear TO leave her. His f. .thcr was coming
home, but she must stay; and soon after
that came word that his father had sprain-
ed his knee, and couldn't stir. 1t did seem
us if Mrs. Eldridge had trouble upon
trouble. Sam looked pretty sober, but in
spite of it all, | could see that he felt Il
little bit glad that he was to be alone Il
while longer.
For everything was going on nicely,aad
there needn have been bit of trouble, i'll
it hadn't been for Deacon Roker's wife.
She came into the shop one night Mt dusk
to see about having a loaf of cake frosted.
She wouldn't trust me with the errand, but
must see the foreman herself, so into the
bake house she marched, ,and there sat Sam
upon flour barrel, figuring away for dear
life,
There's the pies for Henderson, three
dozen and II half of buns for Westover,
besides the rolls for-(he looked up sud-
denly) Oh, Mrs. Roker! Won't YOU sit
down?
What on she asked glumly, and well
she might ask. for there was nothing in
sight but bread troughs and flour barrels.
She did her errand, and went out. She
never said Il word to me, and she didn't
ask Sam question: but she watched him
pretty close, and whenever she got
chance she gave him word about picking
his company, choosing the best, and not
lowering himself, and all that. 1t was
very good advice. but the best advice
needs 10 be given with tact, and seasoned
with good will. Mrs. Roker always gave
hers when she felt like it, and wasn't par
ticular abo it the seasoning. 1t seemed
natural for her to meddle with other folks
business, and l don't suppose she could
help it. Sam stood it pretty well for
awhile, and never let on to her that he
minded it bit.
But, as bad luck would have it, Just be-
fore Jerry Lake got out again, Deacon
RoHer was sick one night, and she had to
be up and down with him by spells until
morning;an as things will happen some
times, she went to the window to look cut
just as Sam was leaving his house She
saw him go down the street and you can
imagine that she did some pretty tall
thinking between that and sunrise
When Sam came in TO breakfast, she
went at him. Asked MIN right before the
boarders what very important business it
was that took him out of bed that hour in
the morning Of course he was all taken
aback,and stammered and blushed AS if he
had been doing some dreadful thing, but
he wouldn't tell her what the uerY inlp0r-
tdW business was, and at last she got
angry, and said some pretty hard things
and Sam--lm sorry TO say it, though
really can't blame him-Sam Just told her
he wished she'd attend to her own affairs,
and let him alone.
lie felt quite cut up about it. He wasn't
an impudent boy naturally, but he said the
words came out of themselves. | told him
he ought to apologize.
Mrs. Roker's Il lady, said l. and
i No she isn't said he, interrupting.
Well, she thinks she is, and we knOW
you're gentleman.
lie laughed and colorcd. 1t doesn't
look much like it, does IL? said he, and he
walked straight out of the shop.
The next time he came he told me that
he had apoogized Just rs handsomely as
he knew how. But don't know whether
she iorgivcs me OF not, said he and don't
much care. She says she hopes I'm not
doing anything to disgrace myself, but she
feels thai | need II fathers care, and if
mine wasn't coming home soon she should
write and tell him of my strange behav.
ior. | didn't answer. Thought | might
have to apologize again if did, and
didn't want to keep up that sort of thing
forever.
Well, said |, I'm thankful that Jerrv's
got back, and I'm more thankful vet that
your fathers coming soon. | shall wash
my hands of you then, and it will be Il
tremendous relief,
lie laughed, but customer came in
Just then, and he made no answer. |
didn't see him again until Mr.. Sampson
paid him for his services, when he went
off us happy as IL king, with ten dollars
aud fifty cents in his pocket
His folks came home dav or two
afterward, and he was glad enough to see
them; Tie was real mother boy, and it
was. first time he had been separated from
her for any length of time. He loved his
father, too, but he was pretty strict, and
had stern way with him that made the
children half afraid of him.
Sam came in to see us, as usual but
after awhile, | began TO notice that he
seemed sober and quiet, us if something
weighed on his mind. | didn't ask any
questions, thought if he wanted me to
know what allied him he'd tell me
But one morning Mamie Eldridge came
came running in, looking just ready to
cry. Father wants to know if you won't
please come over right away, said she.
Me! | exc !aimed in amazement.
Yes, you. Can't you come, pieaSC?
don't see how can, said |, for there's
nobody to leave the shop with. What's
the matterP Is Sam sickp"
No, Sam isn't. sick, and | don't know
exactly what is the matter, but you
must come. Father-here she broke down
and did cry rs if her heart would break.
stepped into the bake-house and asked
the foreman if he couldn have an eve to
the customers for few moments, and
without waiting for his answer, put on
my things and went. Mamie wiped her
eyes, and pretended she hadn't been cry
ing, but neither of us said much. We
didn't feel like it.
MIR. Eldrdge was watching for us. and
he opened the door. He took me into the
library, and there, upon II stoo! by the fire.
sat my poor boy, his eyes looking SO like
his fathers's that | fairly started, and his
face us pale as ghost
His mother sat upon lounge quite near
him. lie didn't seem TO notice her, or any
one else. lie was gazing straight into the
fire, and his face had n strange, unnatural
look, as if some great trouble had suddenly
set him apart from all his friend.
;, Miss Adams, said the minister. will you
!, tell me if my son has ever received any
money from your establishments? -
f Yes, sir, said |, he has.
; How much?
Ten dollars and II half.
Did he receive u ten dollar bill?
Yes sir.
lii,