St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1880-07-23
fnr the Children.
Paying His Own Way.

wood to kindle the morning fire, and
finally he shut and bOlted the doors
back and front, fastened the windows,
and everything being done, came and
seated himself, great lad though he
was, beside his mothers knee. He was
fifteen years old, tall and strong, but
he was not ashamed to show his moth
er that he dearly loved her. She pass
ed her thin hand caressingly over his
tangled mass of brown curls, and he
reached mp for it and touched it to his
lips. Thus they sat, when slow step
came down, the stairs, and Millions IA
Their entered the roem.%1 ASA $50 W '~
"Ah, my son Making love to your
mother as usual, l see Well, you could
not be in better business" said MIR.
Ainslie, smiling. Yet even as he
smiled, shadow came on his face, and
presently he sighed.
"My DEAR" said the wife anxiOusly,
"you are worn out. You are working
too hard" s... .e.-
''Oh, no." he answered cheerily, "my
article is nearly done aud have fin
ished the last batch of books, but even
book reviewing grows monOtonous
sometimes. Milton, | have received a
good offer for you. Sheldon & Wright
will take you in as clerk, with a
small salary only, while you are learn
ing the routine of the office but the
prospect is a fine one. Mother knows
that | see no way of paying your acad-
envy bills for the next year."
Eyes, Milton, as father says, we are
very poor. That interest keeps US
down, and if you go to Sheldon's you
could board at Uncle Neil's, and it
would cost very little, and = a-
The mother stopped. She could not
go on, with those sorrowful eyes fixed
upon her face. She knew too what that
sudden paleness and the resolved set
of the lips meant. Boy though he was,
Milton Ainslie had strong will, and
could stand by his purpose.
"Do you and father want to get rid
of me ?' he inquired. .
''Can you ask 2" said his father.
"Well, then, will go on and do as |
have always said | would, prepare for
college. And then go through it, and
study for profession. With an edu-
cation l can conquer circumstances.
Without it, l shall be bit of drift, for
l have mo- head for trade. Father, I'll
pay my own fees after this.
"My boy, how can you Believe me,
it costs me much to seem to oppose
you, but people are even now COM
menting unfavOrably upon me in keep
ing you with Prof Fairlie, while Jen-
ME and Mabel ale at Miss Bacon's, and
the little ones are still to be educated.
Every body in Briertown is aware that
/ am no longer under a salary.n
Mrs. Aiuslie spoke before her son
could answer.
81 do not think in matter which
affects all Millions future that we should
he guided by the criticisms of strang-
ers. Jennie and Mabel have their aunt's
little legacy, and that will carry them
through. Briertown is a gOssiping
place, but / care little for its gossip
she said.
"Well, leave it to me-" was Millions
last word us he said goodnight.
The parents sat and talked awhile
over the fire. They were aristocrats
both, and had been used in younger
days to wealth. OF late they had been
with poverty and were dis !
Some of the practical people
who are always at hand with advice, |
had been talking to Mr.. Ainslie, who !
was sensitive and impossible, about
his folly in keeping Milton at school.
1.-The boy should go to work." they
said, ignoring the fact that there are
many kinds of work in the world, and
that some can do one kind and some
another. ..-....
Milton went to bed and to sleep.
The next morning he was up early,
doing the various chores, assisting to
get the breakfast, and holding the baby
while his mother stirred up batter for
cakes.
81 should be lost without you, my
DEAR" she said when all was ready and
they took their places at the table.
Il must be off early" the boy said,
and he started for school at eight in
stead of haIf-past.
Il wonder what plan he has in his
head" she thought, looking after him.
But the dishes were to be washed, the
bread to be baked, the children's les
sons to be heard before they went to
school, the baby to be washed and
a half-dozen other things to go through
one pair of hands, before dinner time
the house, too, must be kept very quiet
that Mr.. Ainslie might write without
interruption. So she had not much time
for wondering.
Meanwhile Milton had gone straight
to the minister's house, and had been
shown into the study.
"Mr. Lee,n he said, as he bowed,
cap in hand, ".would do for sexton, do
you think l heard on Sabbath that
the church is looking out for some
body.n
''Youf I" exclaimed the pastor. "Why
Milton, the duties are responsible, and
l should call them ar
duous. You go to the professors daily 2"
Il am stout and strong. | can make
the fires, sweep the church, ring the
bell, clear away the snow, and do all
Mr.. Nix does. if can have the wages
he earns. l want to keep on with my
studies, but cannot do it unless can
pay my own way. Father cannot af-
ford to pay for me any longer"
Mr.. Lees memory went back a few
years to his own boyhood. He had not
a rich father to aid him. And he felt
thankful every day for the tough expe-
riences which had stiffened his muscles
and braced his heart for life and duty.
81 will speak to the committee, Mil
give you fair trial. 1t will not be
child's play, my boy, but think there
is the stuff men are made of in you"
Summer and winter for the next two
years the church of Brierton was taken
care of by its new sexton, Milton Aims
lie. At first some of his companions
held themselves little aloof from him,
but he did not mind their GOODNESS. He
was bent on learning, and to learn he
was willing to make sacrifices. His
father blushed when he heard what