The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1880-03-03

prevent his health from breaking dow1
under the confinement Of study. So, or
the whole, the actual work that he did ir
the college course was not very exten
sive.
ssThis didn't seem to have any bad eff
feet till we'll along in the winter, when
the habit of Sinking work had grown so
strong. without his noticing it, that he
tell 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
-trittered away his time.
Zone horribly snowy, sleety morning
whch he had got up too late for prayers,
the postman brought him note from the
Faculty-an 'admonition.'
"He dropped the pipe he was Just
lighting and bolted off to recitation. But
he beaded Immediately and that dis
couraged him.
'sHe soon began to 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 to-
| ward the foot of his class. 49,.
''He was not quite contented with him
self and thought he would try to do bet
ter next year. But during the Journey
home he quite recovered his usual
spirits.
"When he walked up to the village to-
wards the parsonage farm, he was think
ing that-slnce he was sophomore now
he would buy the knottiest and biggest
headed cane in Cambridge, when he
should 60 back there. And what do you
suppose was the first sight that met him
at home?
1T was his father out in the field, dig
glng for new potatoes, his coat of, and
his specialized face perspiring!
"The sight struck shame into the boy.
He vaulted the fence, and running up
with hardly pause for greeting. CRED:
%, father! let me do that! I don't
like to see you at such work.
"Mr. Blake stopped and looked earn
estly and rather sadly at him.
"Well, Sam,I think that's about as
good "How-do-you-do2" 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
| blushed as he asked
"'Where's the hired mana"
"I've discharged him. I can't afford
one at present. my son, was the answer.
"Sam was rather puzzled and began to
reflect.
''They went into the house, and there,
when the minister reappeared after max
| ing his toilet, his son noticed that he
wore the old shabby, shiny coat. At
| this he was more than ever astonished.
| "The supper, also, notwithstanding
that it was the first night of the prodi-
| gals return, was very meager. Not a
single extra luxury was on the table, and
Sam observed that his father and mother
took no sugar and butter. His own ap-
petite began to fail at seeing this, and his
perception was sha1pened accordingly.
He was now aware that his father looked
very thin, as we'll as sad. Suddenly he
LAID down his knife, and exclaimed to his
| sister Katy
"'Sls, what does all this mean9-this
going without the hired man and starry
ing yourselves.
"His sister looked at him, then glanced
| at Mr.. Blake and her mother, and made
no answer.
"'I thought said Sam, petulantly,
that Williston's money was going to
make it easy for you, father; and here
the pinching is going on five times worse
| than ever.
"'I don't own my friend Willlston's
money! said the minister, quietly.
Got course not. But the five hum
dred doll. Sam stopped abruptly on
an entreating gesture from his sister.
"The subject was not resumed. But
before he went to bed, Sam obtained an
interview 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 impetuously. Now,
sis, he began, can get two words OF
sense out of yous'
"'Not until you speak politely she
said.
"'Well, then, please tell me what the
mystery is
est ought not to be mystery 70 you
Sam, that you haven't done we'll at col
lege. Papa is terribly disappointed
81 don't see why he should commit
suicide, if he u.s. Sam retorted. 1 have
not cost him much this year.
"'Oh, yes you have. Do you know he
actually sold his new coat?'
"What for?' growled Sam.
| "Because he's been trying every way
to save money since he began to get re.
ports Of how you were wasting you,
time '..
"'What for2' asked Sam, though he be-
gan to suspect.
"'Well, he-how should I know?-dc
you not see? He's ashamed to have hac
that money from his old class mate, an6
he has nearly saved enough, and he's 60
ing to pay it all back. There, was tc
keep it a secret, and now I've told you!
) and his sister burst into tears. you've
nearly broken his heart, Sam-poor pa
} pa! ...F
"The next day Mr.. Blake's son went of
directly after breakfast, and was no
: seen again till afternoon.
"Coming home, he overlook his fathe
} returning from the post-office.
Il know all about it!' he exclaimed
in his excitement. katy told me las
night. 1wish, though, you'd held on t.
tho uow coof ouhilo }