The Corvallis gazette. [volume] (Corvallis, Or.) 1862-1899, 1880-07-02

year. But during the journey home he
recovered his usual spirits.
s'When he walked up to the village
toward the parsonage farm, he was think
ing that-since he was a sophomore now
he would buy the knottiest, biggest
headed cane in Cambridge when he
should go back there. And what was
the first thing that met him at home? 1t
was his father out in the field digging
for new potatoes, his coat off and his
specialized face perspiring! The sight
struck shame into the boy. He vaulted
the fence, and running up with hardly
pause of greeting, cried:
$50, father, let me do that! don't
like to see you at such work.
Mr.. Blake stopped and looked
earnestly and rather sadly at him.
"sWell. Sam, 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
blushed as he asked:
ssWhere's the hired man?"
"sI've discharged him. I can't afford
one at present, my son, was the an
swer.
ssSam was rather puzzled and began to
reflect.
.'They went into the house, and there,
when the minister re-appeared 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 prodigaPs re-
turn, was very meager. Not single ex-
ira luxury was on the table, and Sam OBJ
| served that his mother took no sugar nor
butter. His own appetite began to fail
at seeing this, and his perception was
sharpened accordingly. He was now
aware that his father looked very thin, as
knife, and exclaimed to his sister Katy:
's Sis, what does all this mean?- this
going without the hired man, and starv-
| ing yourselves?'
''His sister looked at him, then glanced
at Mr.. Blake and her mother, and made
no answer.
"' L 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 Williston S
money said the minister, quietly.
"tOf course not, but the five hundred
doll
| ''Sam stopped abruptly on an entreat-
ing 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 1 get two
words of sense out of you?
9 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. I
haven't cost him much this year.
'Oh, yes, you have. Do you know
he actually sold his new coat?'
'Why?' 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.
Don't you see? He's ashamed to have
that money from his old classmate, and
he's nearly saved enough, and he's GO
ing to pay it all back. There, was to
keep it secret, and now I've told you!'
and his sister burst into tears. You've
nearly broken his heart, Sam-poor
papap
s'The next day Mr.. Blake's son went
off directly after breakfast and was not
seen again until afternoon. Coming
back, he overlook his father coming from
the postofice.
's I know all about itp he exclaimed,
in his excitement. Katy told me last
night. wish, though, you'd held on to
the new coat awhile
'WhyY asked Mr.. Blake, imperturb-
ably.s
g Because, said Sam, I'm going to
pay my own way now. I've been off to
day and hired out for the season to
Farmer Hedgeburton. You won't send
that money to Williston, viii you,
father?'
'' You are too late,' was the minister's
answer. I've just mailed the letter to
him.
In fact, next day the kind merchants
eyes were dimmed as he read these
words:
Dear Wizliston:-My boy-it almost breaks
my heart to say so-has not proved worthy of
your generosity. have decided to return the
sum which you sent me for him last yesr, and
you will find q draft enclosed for that amount
BLAKE.
Here I interrupted the narrator.
Doesn't this story prove what said at
the beginning?' asked.
''No; for that isn't the end of it. Sam
went down to Boston in the autumn with
few dollars of earnings in his pocket
He had decided to give up college, and
SO applied to Mr.. Williston for clerk
ship.
''He told him: T proved myself un-
worthy, as my father said. Now give me
chance to show myself worthy.
"Williston gave him position and he
worked there two years. Then an oppor-
tnnity offered to go West and take part
nership in-what do you think? The
clothing business? Sam jumped at it;
and you may believe he sent his father
the next Christmas the finest coat that
concern could produce.
81 am well-to do man now, sir, con-
tinued my acquaintance, suddenly speak
ing in the first person, land, when we
csat In Gbioann IF Won will oaoao To NJ