The Northern Pacific farmer. [volume] (Wadena, Minn.) 1878-1885, 1880-12-02

he recovered his usual spirits.
''When he walked up the village toward
the parsonage farm, he was thinking that
since he was a sophomore now-he would
buy the knottiest and biggest-headed cane
in Cambridge when he should go back there.
And what do you suppose was the first thing
that met him at home? It 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 for greeting, cried
$50 father, let me do that. I don't like
to see you at such work.
MIR. Blake stopped, and looked earnestly
and rather sadly at him.
"'Well, 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 had not occurred to Sam that there
was any doubt on that point before. He
blushed as he asked:
"Where's the hired man.
GIVE discharged him. I can't afford one
at present, my son. was the answer.
reflect.
"They went into the house, and there,
"ANh oAAO AA4AA4AooCA 4CebpPCuACu I1VCA
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 it was the first night
of the prodigal's return, was very meagre
Not single extra 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 percep-
ton was sharpenea 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:
"'Sis, what does all this mean?-this going
without the hired man, and starving your
selves?
Ellis sister looked at him, then glanced
at Mr.. Blake and her mother and made no
answer.
1T thought said Sam, petulantly, that
Williston's money was going to make it easy
for you, father; and here the pinching is
going OH five times worse than ever.
81 don't own my friend Williston' money
said the minister, quietly.
"'Of course not. But the five hundred
dol'--Sam stoppedabruptly on an entreat-
ing gesture from his sister.
1.-The subject was notresumed. 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 I
get two words Of sense out Of you? p
Not until you ask politly,' she replied
""Well, then, please tell me what the mis-
terry is
:" 1T oughten't to be MYSTERY to you,
Sam, that you haven't done we'll at college.
Papa is terribly disappointed
81 don't see why he should commit sui
eide, if he is,' Sam retorted. I haven't
cost him much this year.
ooh, yes, you have. Doyou know he act
ually sold his new coat?'
"'Why?' Sam frowned.
save money since he began to get reports of
how YOU were wasting your time
"'What for?' asked Sam, though he be-
gan to suspect.
"'Well, he-how should know? 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, I was to keep it secret,
and now I've told you! And his sister
burst into tears. You've nearly broken his
heart Sanl-poor papa!
"The next day Mr.. Blake's son went off
directly after breakfast, and was not seen
again till afternoon. Coming back, he over
took his father coming from the post-office.
"'I know all about it! he exclaimed, in
his excitement. Katy told me last night.
I wish, though, you'd held on to the new
coat WHILE
"'Why?' asked Mr.. Blake, imperturbably.
"'Because, he said, I'm going to pay my
own way now. I've been off to-day, and
hired out for the season to Farmer Hedge
burton. You won't send that money to Will
iston, will you, father?'
"'You are too late,' was the minister s
answer, I've just mailed the letter to him.
I'm fact, next day the kind merchants
eyes were dimmed as he read these words:
''DEAR WnLisToN: Ny 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 year, and
you will find a draft enclosed for that amount
BLAKE. -
Here interrupted the narrator. Doesn't
this story prove what said at the begin
ning?" I asked.
''No; for that isn't the end of it, Sam
few dollars of earnings in his pocket. He
had decided to give up college, and so ap-
piled to MIR. Williston for clerkship.
''He told him: I proved myself unworthy,
as my father said. Now give me chance
to show myself worthy
"Wiliston gave him position, and he
tunity offered to 90 West and take a pratt
nership in-what do you think? The cloth
ing business! Sam jumped att; and you