Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1880-03-03

"'W Well, Sam, think that's about as good
a" How-do-you-do ?" as you could have Of
tered me. There's something right about
you, after ALL
at hadn't occurred to Sam that there was
any doubt on that point before. He blushed
as he asked
"Where's the hired man p
give 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 re-appeared after making
his toilet, his son noticed that he wore the
old shabby, shiny coat At this he was
| more than ever astonished.
1.-The supper, also, notwithstanding that
| it was the first night of the prodigal's re-
| turn, was very meager. 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 perception was sharp
ened accordingly He was now aware that
his father looked very thin, as well as sad
| Suddenly he laid down his knife, and ex-
claimed to his sister Katy
"Sis, what does all this mean ?-this
| going without the hired man, and starving
yourselves 2
His sister looked at him, then glanced
at Mr.. Blake aud her mother, and made no
| answer.
"'I thought, said Sam, petulantly, that
Williston's money was going to make it
easy for you, father; and here the pinching
is going on five times worse than ever
"I don't own my friend Williston's
money said the minister, quietly.
"'Ot course not But the five hundred
dof--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 i'm.
petuousy. Now, Sis he began, can get
two words of sense out of you ?
"Not until you ask politely she replied
"Well, then, please tell me what the
mystery is.'
>" Itoughtn't to be mystery to you, Sam,
that you haven't done well at college Papa
is terribly disappointed
al 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 the new coat p
"'Why? p Sam frowned.
9" Because he's been trying every way to
save money since he began to get reports Of
how you we're wasting your time
What for p asked Sam, though he be-
gan to suspect.
} "Well, he-how should l 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, | was to keep it secret,
: aud now I've told you = Aud his sister burst
into tears You've nearly broken his heart,
Sam-poor papaP
: "The next day Mr.. Blake's son went off
directly after breakfast and was not seen
I again till afternoon.
"Coming back he overlook his father re-
7 turning from the post-offce.
I" know all about itp he exclaimed, in
J his excitement. katy told me last night.
| wish, though, you'd held on to the new
b, coat awhile
q" Why?' asked Mr. Blake, imperturbably.
: "Because, said Sam, Pm 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
(. Willston, will you, father? p
, You are too late,' was the minister's
answer. I've just mailed the letter to him.
, ain fact, next day the kind merchants
a eyes were dimmed as he read these words
DEAR WuLisroS-My 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 draft enclosed for that amount
BLAKE
Here interrupted the narrator.
doesn't this story prove what l said at
the beginning ?" | asked.
"No; for that isn't the end OF it. Sam
went to Boston in the autumn with few
decided to give up college, and so so applied to
. Mr.. Williston for clerkship."
He told him -
"'I proved myself unworthy, as my father
: said. Now give me a chance to show my.
. self worthy
: "Williston gave him a position and he
: worked there two years. Then an oppor.
tunity offered to go west and take partner
= ship in-what do you think The clothing
= business Sam jumped at it ;and you may
! believe he sent his father, next Christmas
the finest coat that the concern could pro
: duce.
al am a 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 father, the minis
! ter's, old shiny coat, which preserve be-
! cause it was the beginning of my fortune
: and made a man of me-"
"Then," exclaimed taking him by the
=, hand, ait is yourself you have been talking
y about all this time You are -
"Sam," concluded my new friend, nod
ding and smling.-Youihs Companion.