The true northerner., 1879-01-31
WHAT BECAME OF "SAM."


1t was generally supposed that Sam
was what is called deficient" As to
his own family, they were sure of it; at
all events, they treated him as if he
were so. Not that they were unkind
70 nm; on the contrary they were all
very fond of "poor old SAM" but it
seemed to be taken for granted that
whatever he said was not worth MOTTO
ing, and almost everything he did was
to be made fun of more or less. He
was, IN fact, the family butt, though
snafts were, as rule, tipped with good
nature SO as not to hurt his feelings.
Hardly ever did he attempt to say or do
anything In serious earnest, since al
most everything he did or said was
treated as a sort Of joke.
inere was one exception to this.
Mothers always know best how to deal
with the weak in the flock, and Sans
mother never laughed at him, and never
despaired of him. "What is to become
OF Sam?" his father would say "he'll
never earn his own living" and his
mother would quietly answer: @Wait a
bit, my dear, there is more in him, per-
haps, than we think, but il wants to be
drawn out, and | doubt if we are acting
wisely in laughing at him as we do"
She said I'VE" poor soul, but that was
only her discreet way of putting it.
Now, Sam had sister. Mary. of
whom he was especially fond. Perhaps
ut was because she was the sister near
est to him in age, but it was more
likely because she placed a little more
confidence in him than the others did; :;
1t wasn't much, but il was more than
he got from any of the rest.
He would do anything for Mary. and
when certain Mr.. st. Leger in the
neighborhood took fancy to her it was
amusing to see how Sam resented the
engagement. This Mr.. st. Leger had
lately come into the neighborhood
one knew where from; but he had
plenty of money and very agreeable
manners, and was general favorite
with the Frere family. Sam, however,
never liked him from the first, and
when at length he became Mary Frere's
accepted suitor, Sans aversion to him
became intense.
The day was fixed for the wedding,
and the Sunday had arrived when, in
~deference to Mary's particular wish,
though very much against Mr.. St.
Leger's inclination, the bans we're to
be published in church. The Freres
were In their place-a great square pew
IN front OF the pulpit. The names were
read out III due course. Mary was re-
covering from the electric shock of hear
ing them; the villagers were inter
changing g!ancos, some even cautiously
rising little TO peep into the square
pew, when a voice was heard all over the
church, saying, i'll a most emphatic way.
q i forbid the banns.'
Surprise was ON every face. but it
quickly gave way to the ludicrous as
Sam was seen standing up in the mid
die of the pew, looking the clergyman
steadily in the face, as much as to saw.
There now; get over that if you can I"
The clergyman was SO amused that he
had to rush on with the service to pre-
vent any unseemly display, while Sans
kindred in the square pew were in
every attitude of painfully-restrained
amusement.
And there he stood, unabashed and
defiant, until his father plucked him
by the arm and made him sit down.
But none of them for one moment
thought it was anything more than q
very unaccountable freak of ~poor old
Sans"
No sooner was the service over than
he was assailed on all sides for an ex-
PLANTATION. Two only were serious about
h-his father and Mary.
What is the meaning Of this, sir? "
said his father, sternly; what could
have possessed you to make yourself so
xidiculous?y
He has got wife already said
Sam, doggedly. o
Who hasS" was the general exclam-
.stion.
st. I.eger."
Who told you SOP
Tom Tyleri"
Tom Tyler was the village lctter-car-
rier.
There was shout of laughter at this
piece of information.
When did Tom Tyler tell you this p
Yesterday. He brought me letter
for Mrs. st. Leger'
Another shout of laughter greeted
this; but Mary looked very grave, while
the father said that, of course, the letter
was for st. Leger's mother, of whom he
had more than once spoken. SO Sam
was sharply rebuked for listening to
Tom Tyler's idle tales, and told to hold
his tongue. you'll have st. Leger try