The Somerset press. [volume] (Somerset, Ohio) 1873-1977, 1880-02-19

cuLII, anu biicutiy CUuLootCu buCAI -
with the fur-trimmed overcoat and out
fit of the stranger Z $50
"Never mind," said Tom to himself,
" / will have them all, too, when ! am
a member of Congress"
At the end of two weeks bundle of
books was left at the school-house.
There was not only Latin grammar,
but well-worn copy of Virgil, Esop
Fables and sundry other volumes such
as Tom had never seen.
Pine knots were plentiful where Tom
lived, and he sat up until midnight all
the rest of the winter pondering over
the mysteries of those books.
Asgcod luck would have it, the school
master, who boarded around with his
pupils, hand not eaten the rations due
him at Toms fathers. When he ar
rived he entered warmly into the lads
ambitious projects, and as he had a
smattering Of Latin himself, was quail
fed to aid his pupil.
Although the schoolmaster was al
lowed the use of tallow candle, he
vastly preferred the more brilliant light
of Toms pitch knot; 80 that, as often as
the lorg winter evening set in, the
master and the pupil might be seen
land were seen) sitting before the large
fireplace with their heads buried in the
pages of the books, along which they
plodded slowly, but to such purpose
that at the end of the winter Tom could
read his fable and solve his problem in
a manner very creditable to himself and
| master.
1t was uphill work with poor Tom,
but he never lost what little he gained,
and managed to make what little he ac-
complished to tell on the future.
One day his father brought home q
stranger, and told Tom that lie was ap-
prenticed, during his minority, to this
man, who would make him q black
smith. 'i.. +" - -i.l se 'vs1'
4" But / am not going to be a black
smith," cried Tom, in a passion; Pm
going to CongressIi Ii'-s-'-- : '.'A-s-a e
The more need that you should
learn to shoe the horse that carries
you there" replied his father, with a
| shrug. -all- .-ssf.s e -.'a'T1
Tom packed up his worldly goods, not
| forgetting his books, and trudged away
to a distant village, where he pared
horses oofs by day, and studied end
read at night by stealth, Sforshe was al
\
Six months the poor fellow tried to be
faithful to his duty, but one night when
the. master had thrown his grammar
into the fire, and iathed him for his dis
obedience, Tom took leave of the work
| shop. ~ .'iigi7ossI4 s13 sai'isis
He made his way, .barefooted as he
was, over bogs and Jbriars, until he ven
tured into the main road, and by diut
of begging ride now and then, reached
the city, where, as Ben Franklin had
done before him, with his roll under
his arm-he sought and obtained en-
| ployment. h. .rr - ~. ''-e+5l
Perhaps the happiest day of Toms
life was when he found himself in the
antiquarian book store with plenty Of
leisure, plenty of books, and nothing to
fear from friend or foe. E 81
1t is wonderful how he read-and
read-and read. The parched earth
does not more greedily take in the sum-
mer rain. i.--1 i.--. - is.i l.-e- -7sg.si
When his Intellectual thirst was par
tally satisfied he began to work. He
saw the ladder up which he must climb,
and seizing the lowest round, he made
his way steadily upward. 9s1ii s.ff@
We all know BY what steps an am
bilious man makes progress-by patient
toil-by, self-denial-by courteous de.
portment-by the constant acquisition
of knowledge. ''-' --,-3 - A'A.s-n
Years passed by, during all of which
Tom had looked in vain for his early
friend, the stranger. In his timid awk.
wardness, he had not thought to ask the
name of his benefactor, and the only
opportunity to do so had been lost.
Well, years slid away, and Tom was
elected member of Congress from the
very county where he spent his strug
Cling boyhood.
He went to Washington, not in cow.
hide shoes and butternut colored home.
spun, but dressed something as imag-
ination had pictured, as he looked
after his benefactor, on the eventful
day Of the sleighride. N
A nobler looking man, the ladies in
the galleries said, never had appeared
upon the floor, than this Yankee mem
ber, who, if he spoke through his nose
always drove his arrows home to the
mark. ~ 0
One day there appeared in the House
the venerable form of an ex-member,
whom all present delighted to honor
1t needed but one glance at the genial
face for Tom to recognize in him the
giver of the Latin grammar.
"He had come" he said, :" to listen
to the gentleman who had so manfully
defended the right, and to wish hin
God speedp
off" said Tom, with his old modesty
cit has been my good fortune to do any
thing for our country in the hour O
her peril, owe my ability to do so, il
a great measure, toyourself."
"To mel" echoed the astonished gen
tleman: to mel I do not recollec
ever having had the pleasure of meetin,
you before in my life."
"Ah. sir, have you forgotten, then
J the little school-boy among the hills O
New Hampshire, to whom you so kindly
sold a Latin grammar E
The gentleman mu5ed
"Sold-sold Latin graLsmar! Now
that you recall the incident, i DO recol
lect little fellow who interested me
and to whom gave some school books
Well, sir, am that boy. You tolt
me that l might pay for them when
, got to Congress. If you will honor m,
by meeting few friends at dinner,
will settle the bill" -,
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