The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1880-11-24

vaulted the fence, and, running up, with
hardly pause for greeting, cried:
"'Oh, father, let me do that. 1 don't like
to see you at work
'sMr Blake stopped and looked earnestly
and rather sadly st him.
well Sam, l think that's about as good
how'd ye-do as you could have offered me
There IS Something right about you, after
all
ut had not occurred to Sam that there
was any doubt on that point before. He
blushed as he asked:
where's the hired MANI
"Pve discharged him. | can't afford 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 rcappeared 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 return, was very
meager. Not a single luxury was on the
table, and Sam observed that his father and
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 we'll as sad. Suddenly he laid down
his knife and exclaimed to his sister Katy
isis what does all this mean-this going
without the hired man, and starving your
selves?'
"His sister looked at him, then glanced
at Mr.. Blake and her mother, and made no
answer.
"'I thought said Sam. petulantly. that
WilliSton'S money was going to make ii easy
for you, father; and here the pinching is
going on five times worse than ever
81 don't own my friend Williston's
money said the minister, quietly.
'''0f course not. But the five hundred
dol-Sam stopped abruptly on an entreat-
ing gesture from his sister.
THE subject was not resumed. But be-
fore he went to bed Sam obtained an inter
view with his sister alone. He felt, secretly,
that he was responsible for the depression
and trouble which seemed to fill the house
hold, but that only made him speak more
impetuOusly. Now, sis he began, can /
get words of sense out of your
"'Not until you ask politely she replied.
"'Well then, please tell me what the
mystery is
at oughtn't TO be mystery to you,
Sam, that you haven't done well at college.
Papa is terribly disappointed
az don't see why he should commit sui
eide if he is Sam retorted. Il haven't cost
him much this year
"'Oh, yes. you have Do you know he
actually sold his new coatT
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.
"'Well, he-how should L knowr-Don't
you see? 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 it secret,
and now I've told youl' And his sister
burst into tears. You've nearly broken his
heart. Sam-poor papaP
THE next day Mr.. Blal1e's son went off
directly after breakfast and WAS not seen
again till afternoon. Coming back he over
took his father coming from the postoffice.
az know all about It'll he exclaimed in
his excitement katy told me last night i
wish, though, you had held on to the new
coat awhile
"'Why?' asked Mr.. Blake, imperturbably.
Because, said Sam, I'm going to pay
my own way now. I've been off to-day and
hired myself out for the season to Farmer
Hedgeburton. You won't send that money
to Williston, will you. fatherr
"'You are too late, was the minister's
answer, I've just mailed the letter to him
"In fact, the nextday the kind merchants
eyes were dimmed as lac read these words:
"'DEAR WILLBroS-BIy boy-it almost breaks
my heart to say so-haS not proved worthy of
your generosity. I have decided to return the
sum which you sent me for his last year. and you
will find q dsaft enclosed for that amount.
"'BLAKR.'
Here interrupted the narrator. doesn't
this story prove what L said at the begin
ning?' asked.
''NO; for that isn't the end of il. Sam
went down to Boston in the autumn with a
few dollars of earnings in his pocket. He
had decided to give up college, and so APP
piled to Mr.. Williston for cleriIship.
He told him: Il proved myself unwor-
thy as my father said. Now give me
chance to show myself worthy
"WillistOn gave him position, and he
worked there two years. Then an oPportu-
nifty offered to go West and take partnership
in-what do you think? The clothing bust
ness! Sam jumped at it; and you may be-
lieve he sent his father next Christmas the
finest coat that concern could produce.
Il am well-to-do man now. SIR" con-
tinued my acquaintance, suddenly speaking
in the first person, "and when we get to
Chicago if you will come to my establish
ment, Will show you my fathers 1.-THE min
ister's) old shiny coat which preserved be
cause it was the beginning of fortune and
made man of me-"
Then" | exclaimed, taking him by the
hand. ''it is yourself you have been talking
about all this time. You are"
Sam" continued my new friend. nodding
and smiling.