The Somerset press. [volume] (Somerset, Ohio) 1873-1977, 1880-02-19
A MEMBER OF CONGRESS.
ny MRS. c. W. FLANDERS.

There was little fellow among the
New England hills, years ago, as there
are many now, whose parents were poor.
He could not remember the time when
he wore shoes and stockings in the sum-
mer. Sometimes in. the winter, " hen he
was obliged TO walk three miles to
school, and wade through snow drifts
that did not melt until the last of May,
he did wear such as his father had re-
iected, and pair of shoes that slipped
up and down every step he took. Never
theless, they were shoes and stockings;
and he was infinitely prouder of them
than any king living is Of his crown.
One day, as Tom was plodding along
with his slip shod shoes, putting from
exertion and blowing his blue fingers to
keep them warm, there came dashing
down the hill sleigh such as the
youngster had never seen; no, indeed,
nor ever dreamed of. And a horseI
Tom stopped blowing, SO intense was
his admiration of the elegant creature
that came foaming and tossing its
daintily arched neck right and left.
Tom sprang aside al the very last mo-
ment, and as he sank up to his chin in
the light snow. tore of his cloth cap
from his head, and bobbed up and
down as il he were in the presence Of the
President.
Jump on behind, my lad" shouted
the rider; Jump on behind" And
Tom did jump on, at the peril of his
life, and away they went tearing along
with great speed until over went riders
and bufialoes and things generally.
Tom sprang to the horses head, and
clingiug TO the bit, the tips Of his great
cowhide shoes touching the snow, asked
If the gentlemen was hurt.
"Not bit OF it. my lad" said he,
shaking himself free Of the snow,
"only warmed up little. What's the
damageT :. at
Nothing, sir, that I see," returned
Tom, his handsome face glowing with
good humor, as he yielded the horse
TO its owner.
well, then, my lad, get in and well
try sgain. You are going to school,
see, added the stranger, as he gathered
up the reins.
Yes, SIR" --k
Glow far?'
Guess it's about two miles from
here"
The gentleman turned and looked
into his face, and then glanced all over
Toms figure, even to his feet.
He sees my Shoes" thought Tom,
proudly, to himself, giving his feet a
shove forward to make certain that they
should be seen.
The gentleman did see them, and
smiled. in spite of himself as he glanced
back TO Toms face.
He then kindly pulled the warm fur
around the boy, and pulling his cap
over his eyes, shouted, eco alcng,
NELL" and the chestnut mare, now
thoroughly sobered, meekly commenced
the ascent of what was known as the
long hill. She was evidently accus-
toned to having her own way, for she
availed herself Of every hollow to rest,
and did not allow herself to be pressed
forward until the whip was applied.
Tom wondered what had possessed the
creature few minutes before. He
scratched his head on the right side and
then on the left, and, finally, his Yankee
curiosity getting the better OF his DIM
dence, he ventured TO ask:
III you Ilease, sir, what was 1t that
made the mare runT
"a stump" returned the gentleman
with smile. Nell is q little aristo-
cratic, and shies at such plebian things.
She does not know that a stump was the
making of her MASTER"
Tom scratched his head again, and
wiggled all over. Then out came the
question:
" How could a stump be the making
OF manT
"My lad," answered the stranger,
marking the white surface of the snow
gently with his whiplash, al was a poor
boy, and my father could not afford to
send ne to school. We worked very
hard, but used TO study evenings by
the light of the fire, and learned the
whole Of the Latin grammar, by the
light Of one pitch knot.
For a moment Tom sat perfectly still.
Then he asked, as il ashamed of his ig.
norance:
Please, sir, what's Latin gram.
marT
This last question aroused the gentle
man, and becoming sensible that the
little fellow at his side was thirsting fol-
knowledge, he very kindly went ovel
such parts of his history as he thought
would be Of interest to him, and ended
by saying that he was q member oi
Congress.
This last announcement almost tool
the lads breath away. He had heard
Of members Of Congress, but he had ar
idea they were myths, whom nobody
ever saw. Perhaps the awe with which
Tom regarded him as he glanced ur
sideways into his face, hattered the gen
tlema3, for he said, smiling:
"You are Just as likely to be a mem
Der OF Congress as II You know, ir
Auerics, success is to be determined ant
braved. IL you study, as l did, yor
may possibly rise as high-yes-perhapi
hiQherw
"But / haven any Latin grammar
sir" said Tom.
"No2 Well, would you like one ?'
eyes, sir" cried Tom, with fashin,
eyes.
Well, my lad, shall come this wa,
again, and will leave one at the school
house for you"
But / have no money"
Never mind, you can paw me wher
you get to Congress" H
"Thank you" said Tom, al won
forget it, sir"
The gentleman looked down at hin
with quizzical smile, and the two rod,
on lin silence, until they reached tn,
school house.
PLEASE don't forget the grammar, ,
suggested Tom, as he lifted the old ca,
again.
g Not J." returned the gentleman
"A man who cannot keep a promis,
should not make one-hey, nv lad 2"
Nell tossed her head, and the boy sool
lost sight of the rider. Then he locke,