Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1880-04-14


wonderful wind and ground batting.
He could not refuse to so TO the the
ater occasionally with his richer COM
panions. Sam took a natural interest
in the society Of young ladies, too, and
had to give up some time to its cultiva-
ton. He also thought a moderate
amount of practice in the gymnasium
was desirable, to prevent his health
from breaking down under the conine-
ment of study. So, on the whole, the
actual work that he did in the college
course was not very extensive.
This didn't seem to have any bad
effect till well along in the winter,
when the habit of sinking work had
grown so strong, without his noticing it,
that he fell easily into reading novels
when he ought to have been in the
recitation room. Gymnasium, theater'
billiards, smoking-and am afraid
must say little drink-lrlttered away
his time.
One horribly snowy, sleety morning
when he had got up too late for pray
ers, the postman brought him a note
from the faculty-an 'admonitIon.'
He dropped the pipe he was just
lighting, and bolted of to recitation.
But he beaded lmmediately,a and that
discouraged him.
He soon began 10 make light OF the
warning, and did himself no credit In
his studies. Though he managed to
squeeze through the examination at
the end of the freshman year, he came
out far down toward the foot Of his
class.
He wasn't quite contented with him.
sell and thought he'd try to do better
the next year. But during the journey
home he recovered his usual spirits.
When he walked up the village to-
ward the parsonage farm he was think
ing that-since ne was a sophomore
now-he would buy the knottiest and
biggest headed cane in Cambridge when
he should 90 back there. And what do
you suppose was the first sight that met
him as home:
1t was bis father out in the field, dig
ging for new potatoes, his coat of, and
his spectacled IA ce perspiring!
The sight struck shame into the boy
He vaulted over the fence, and running
up with hardly a pause for greeting
cried.
'Oh, father, let me do that! don't
like 10 see you at such work.
Mr.. Blake stopped and looked ear'
nestly and rather sadly at him.
We'll, Sam, 1 think that's about as
good How do you dO:' as you could
have offered me. There's something
right about you, after ALL
1t hadn't occurred to Sam that there
was any doubt on that point before He
bushed as he asked.
Where's the hired man?
sI've discharged him. l can't afford
one at present, my son. was the an
swer.
Sam was rather puzzcd, and began to
reflect.
They went into the house and there,
when the minister resppeared after
making his toilet, his son noticed that
he wore the old shabby, shiny coat.
AT this he was more than ever astonish-
ed.
The supper, also, Notwithstanding
that it was the first night Of the prodI-
gals return, was very meager. Not
luxury was on the table, and Sam OBJ
served that his father and mother took
no SUGAR nor butter. His own appetite
began to fail at seeing this, Ind his per-
ception was sharpened accordingly.
He was now aware that his father look
ed very thin, as well as sad. Suddenly
he LAID down his klfe and exclaimed TO
els sister Kitty:
ISIS, what does all this mean ?-this
going without the hired man, and starv'
ing ourselves?' p
His sister looked at him, then glanc'
ed at Mr.. Blake and her mother, and
made no answer.
L thought said Sam, petulantly,
that Williston's money was gong to
make it easy for you, father, and here
the plnching is going on five times
worse than ever
Il don't own my friend Willis!on's
money said the minister, quietly.
sOfcourse not. But the five hum
dred dol Sam stopped abruptly on
an entreating gesture from his sister.
The subject was not resumed. But
before he went to bed Sam obtained an
interyiew with his sister alone. He
felt, secretly, that he was responsible
for the depression and trouble which
seemed to fill the household, but that
only made him speak more impetous-
Ily. Now, sis, he began, can L get
two words of sense out of you?'
Not until you ask politely she re-
piled.
well, then, please tell me what the
mystery is
1T oughtn't to be mystery to you
Sam, that you haven't done we'll at col
lege. Papa is terribly disappointed
Il don't see why he should commit
suicide, if he is Sam retorted. Il
hasn't cost him much this year,
oh yes, you have. Do you kno"
he actually sold the new coatT
'Whys' Sam frowned.
Because he's been trying every way