Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1880-09-17

| henlei the world ~ nafd place tC
wander in. The roads rough, and there's
many way of going wrong, and only
one right.n
Il only want to see little of it, re-
| piled Tom. "This village be dull,
and Jack Stourley laughs at me for
staying here"
Jack Stourley is ne'er-do. )" re.
Joined Steven Renie; "but 1t seems he's
got your ear, while your father has lost
it. I've made a handy lad of you.
There's not better carpenter for ten
miles round; and you shall have share
in the business while I live, and the
whole of it when I'm gone"
There was culver in the old mans
voice that ought to have touched the
listeners heart; but Tom Renie was bent
upon going into the world and "seeing a
little life, p" and he shut his heart against
the trembling sounds. He took up q
hammer and mechanically tapped the
bench with it. He felt it very hard that
his father should try to put obstacles in
the way of his going, and he was sure it
was all selfshness.
"Well, Tom, what do you saye" asked
his father, after long silence.
II want to CO." said Tom. II think
it would make man of me-"
"Then go, and our Heavenly Father
protect you," said the old man, turning
round and seizing his hand.
Tom returned the hearty grasp Of his
fathers hand and hurried out of the shop.
He was rather glad to get away from his
father, so as to shake off the growing
conviction that he was taking a false
step. He had promised to go-had pro-
missed Jack Stourley, who was waiting
at the corner tavern to know the issue of
that interview.
To the tavern Tom Renie went. 1t was
quite new thing for him to be a fire.
quenter of the place, but Jack Stourley
had led him to resort there. Jack was
fond of the tavern, and spent most of his
time there, drinking and giving opinions
upon the acts of the government, the law
of supply and demand, the rights of
labor, and other kindred subjects.
Jack had free and easy air and q glib
tongue. He put himself forward as q
good fellow-tree-he hearted, Independent
and manly.
To this very bad mentor Tom repaired,
joining him in the bar-room of the
tavern. There Mr.. Jack Stourley was
holding forth on political economy to a
limited audience of one, in the form of
an unhappy laborer, who had given his
body to beer and his mind to discomfort.
"Well, what newsp" he asked, when
Tom had drank pretty freely of the prof
fered liquor.
'1'm coming with you," replied Tom
"but / had hard work to bring father
round"
There, sit down, you best of sons"
said Stourley, putting his hands on TOMS
shoulders, and forcing him into a seat.
"The old man will get on very well
without you, now that he knows that
you are going-mine did, know. Have
a drink"
Tom had drink and smoke, and his
teacher held him there until the evening
was far advanced, and then the young
mechanic, in a half-muddled, sullen
state, went back to his fathers cottage.
lie entered and found the old man sit
ting by the fire, reading his Bible. The
old man stood up, and taking both the
hands of his son, with calm resignation
in every feature, gave him few parting
words
You've chosen your way, Tom" he
said, "and our Heavenly Father protect
you wherever you go. Be steady and
sober, honest in your word, Godfearing
through all, and if we should never
meet again---"
"What are you talking of ?" interrupt
ed Tom, hastily. 'I'm only going for a
time to brush myself up bit, and
when come back / shall be the better
for it."
"Our Merciful Father grant it, said
the old man; "but if it should be that
we are never to meet again in this world,
yell not forget how / have loved you,
and have prayed for you.
He drew the young fellow to him, and
touched him lightly on the forehead with
his lips. Then they parted, and Tom
stole away TO bed to toss and turn in
broken and troubled sleep.
The early dawn found the two men on
their way, both rrtherl downcast in
spirits-Stourley because he had not
been stimulated into his usual state Of
false gayety, and Tom sadly dwelling on
the parting the night before.
1t would have taken very little persua-
sion to havo induced him to have altered
his mind entirely and gone back, but
| pride urged him forward. He would
have been ashamed to show Jacl
Stourley, that clever man of the world
how keenly he felt leaving the house o
his boyhood and youth, and how deeply
the words of his father touched him.
| So they kept on silently, until the sur
was up and roadside inn reached