The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1880-02-25

and his specialized face perspirlng!
The sight struck shame into the
boy. lie vaulted the fence, and running
up with hardly q pause for greeting,
cried:
"'Oh, father, let me do that! / don't
like to see you at such work
"Mr. Blake stopped and looked ear
nestly and rather sadly ut him.
"'Well. Sam. I think that's about as
good "How-do-you-doP" rs you could
have offered me. There's something
right about you, after all,
ut hadn't occurred to Sam that there
was any doubt on that point before. III"
blushtd ne he asked:
'.'Wherp's the hired ma,:?"
"'I've discharged him. | CANT NJ
iord 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 r~eappeared
after making 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 prodl-
gals return, was very meaSer. NOT u
single luxury was on the table. and Sam
observed that his father and mother
took no sugar mr. butter. His W ap:.
| petite began to fail at seeing this, ana
his perception wa sharpened accord
ingly. He was now aware thai ms
| father looked very thin. rs well as sad.
| Suddenly he laid down his knife, and on
| claimed to his sister Kitty:
".Sis, what does all this mean?-thlS
going without the hired man, and starry
ing ourselves"
"His sister looked ut him, then
glanced at Mr.. Blake and her mother,
and made no answer.
'"'I thought said Sam, %pctulantly,
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
~ don't W my friend Williston'S
money said the minister, quietly,
"'Of course not. But the five hum
ored doll Sam stopped abruptly on
an entreating gesture from his sister,:
1.-The subject was not resumed. But
before he went to bed, Sam obtained al.
interview with his sister alone. Hc
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 O fsense out Of you"
"'Not until you ask politely she re-
"tWell, then, please tell me what
the mystery is
"sIt.oughtn't TO be 4 mystery to you,
Sam. that YOU haven't done well at col
lege. Papa is terribly Disappointed
~ don't see why he should commit
suicide. if he is Sam retorted. 1t
haven't cost him much this year.
"sOh yes, you have. Do you know
he actually sold the new coat"
"sWhy?' Sam frowned.
Because he's been trying every
way to save money since he began to
get reports OF how you were wasting
your time
".What for?' asked Sam, though he
began to suspect.
".Well, he-how should I know?--
Don't YOU see? He's ashamed to have
had that money from his old classmate,
and he's nearly saved enough, and hes
going to pay it all back. There, l was
to keep it secret. and now I've told
youn And his sister burst into tears.
You've nearly broken his heart, SAM
poor papa"
THE next day Mr.. Biake's son went
off directly after breakfast, and was no
seen again till afternoon.
Coming back, he overlook his father
returning from the postoffice.
"'I know ill about it! he exclaimed,
in his excitement. Katy told me last
night. / wish, though, you'd held OH
to the new coat awhile
"'Why" asked Mr.. Blake, imper-
turbably.
Because said Sam, I'm going to
pay my ownway now. I've been OF to-
day and hired out for the season to
Farmer Hedgeburton. You won't send
that money to Williston. will you'
father?'
"sYou are too late was the minis
ter's answer. I've just mailed the let.
ter to him.
I'm fact, next day the kind merchants
eyes were dimmcd As he read these
words:
".DEAn WILLIsToN: My boy-it al
most breaks my heart to say so-has not
proved worthy OF your generosity. L
have decided to return the sum which
you sent me TOR him last year, and you
will find Il draft enclosed Tor that
amount. BLAKE"
Here l interrupted the narrator.
Doesn't this story prove what | said
al the beginning" / asked.
mo; for that isn't the end Of it. Sam
went down to Boston in the autumn
with a few dollars of earnings in his
pocket. Hc had decided to give up col
lege, and so applied to Mr.. Williston for
a clerkship.
HE told him:
al proved myself unworthy, as my
father said. Now give me n chance to
show myself worthy i
"Williston gave him a position, and
he worked there two years. Then ali
opportunity offered to 90 West and take
a partnership in-what do you think?
The clothing business! Sam jumped ut
it; and you may believe he sent his
father, next Christmas, the finest coat
that concern could produce. j.
Il lin 4 well-to-do mar now, sir.'
continued my acquaintance, suddenly
speaking in the first person, "and when
we get to Chicago, if you will come t"
my establishment. | will show you my
the minister's, old shiny coat,
which l preterve because it was the be-
Of my fortune. and made Il man
of me-"
"Then,"I exclaimed. taking him b.
the hand. it is yourself you have been
about all this time! You are"
SAM" concluded my new friend.
nodding and smiling. George 2. IT,
throp. IN Youtk's Companion.
The Hartford Courant. referring to the
annual statement of the Etna Life In