The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1880-12-14

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 toward the foot of his Glass;
He wasn't quite contented with himself,
and thought he'd try to do better the
next year. But during the journey home
he recovered his usual apiri:s.
"When he walked up the village to-
ward the parsonage farm, he was think.
ing that-since he was sophmore now
-he would buy the kpottiest and big
gest headed cane in Cambridge when be
should go back there And what do you
suppose was the first thing that met him
at home? It was his father ont in tiisss
field digging for-new potatoes, his coat
off and his spectaclcd face perspiring.-
The sight struck shame into the boy
He vaulted the fence, and running up
with hardly pause for greeting, cried !:
80 father. let me do that. don't
like to see see you at such work.
"Mr, Blake stopped and looked earn
eatly and rather sadly at him.
"'WeIl. Sam, think that's about as
good How-do-yon-do2 as you could
have offered ne. There's something
right about you after all ,
at had not occurred to Sam that there
was any doubt on that point before. He
blushed az he asked:
"sWhere's the hired man
"'Ive discharged him can't afford
one at present, my SON., was the an
swer
'.Sam was rather puzzled and began to
reflect
"They vent into the house, and there,
when the minister reappeared after max
ing bis toilet, his son noticed that he
wore the old shabby. shiny coat. At
this he was more than ever as'onished.
The supper, also, notwithstanding that
it was the first night of the prodigafs
return, was very meager. Not . single
extra luxury on the table, and Sam OBJ
served that his father and mother took
no sugar nor butter. His own appetite
began 10 fail at seeing this, and his per-
cep,ion was sharpened accordingly. He
was now aware that his father looked
very thin, as well as sad. Suddenly he
laid down his knife and exclaimed to his
sister Katy:
".Sis, what does all this mean /? this
going without the hired man and starv-
ing yourselves ?
"His sister looked at him,th glanced
at Mr. B axe and her mother, and made
no answer.
al thought said Sam, pe'nlanily,
shat Williston's money was going to
make it easy for you. father; and here
the pinching is going on five times worse
than ever
al don't own nv friend Williston'
monev,' said the minister, quietly.
;" or course not; but the fge han-
dred dol Sam stopped abruptly on
an entreating gesture from his sister.
'FThe 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
6ll the household, but that Only made
him speak more impeluously. 'Now,sis,'
he began, 'can get two words OF sense
out of your
"'Not until you ask politely she re-
piled.
"Well then, please, tell me what the
mystery is.'
".It oughtn't to be mystery to you,,
Sam, that you haven't done well at COL
lege. Papa is terribly disappointed
"'I don't see why he should commit
suicide If he is,' Sam retorted. i
haven't cost him much this year.
"sOh, yes, you have. Do you know
he actually sold his new coat7"
".Whyf' Sam frowned.
"Becsnse he's been trying every way
to save money since he began to get re-.
ports of how you we're wasting your
time
".WeIl, he-how should l know Z
Don't you see2 He's ashamed to have
had that money from his old classmate.
and he's nearly saved enough, and he's
going to pay it all back. There, ! was
to keep the secret, and now I've told
vou!' And bis sister hurst into tears
You've nearly broken his heart, SAM
poor papa!!'
"'Tbe next day Mr.. Blake's son went
of directly after breakfast and was not
seen again till afternoon. Coming back,
he overlook his father re urning from the
postoffice. -
".I know all about II = be exclaimed,
in his excitement. Katy told me las,
night. ! wish, though, you'd held on to
the new coat awhile
"'Why,' asked Mr.. Blake impertura-
bly,.
BECAUSE said sam, I'm going to
pay my own wav now. I've been of
to-day and hired out for the season TO
Farmer Hedgeburton. You won't send
that money to WillistoD, will you, "a
thsrT
".You are too late,' was the minister's
answer, I've mailed the letter to him.
"In fact, mt xt day the kind merchants
eyes were dimmed as he read these
words:
"DEAR WILLIsroN: My boy-it al
most breaks my heart to say-has not
proven worthy OF your generosity.
have decided to return the sum which
you sent me for him last year, and ou
will find draft enc osed for that aDount.
BLAKE.
Here l interviewed the narrator
"Doesn't this story prove what said at
the beginning ?" ! asked.