Claiborne guardian. [volume] (Homer, La.) 1877-188?, 1880-04-14

ticed that he wore the old shabby,
shiny coat. At this he WAS more
than ever astonished.
"The supper, also, notwithstand.
ing that it WAS the first night of
the prOdigars return was very mea.
gre. Not a single extra luxury was
on the table, aud Sam observed
that his father and mother took 10
sugar nor butter. His own appe.
tite began to fail at seeing this,
and his perception WAS sharpened
accordingly. He was now aware
that his father looked very thin, NJ
well as sad. Suddenly he laid
down his knife, and exclaimed to
his sister Katy:
"'Sis, what does all this meant
this going without the hired man,
and starving yourselvesr
"His sister looked ut him, then
glanced at Mr.. Blake and her moth.
er, and made no answer.
"'I thought said Sam, petulant.
~, that Williston's money WAS go.
ing to make it easy for you, father;
aud here the pinching is going on
five times worse than ever
al don't own my friend Willis.
tons money said the minister,
quietly.
".Of course not. But the FIVE
hundred dol Sam stopped abrupt.
~ Oh an extreating gesture from
his sister.
"The subject was not resumed.
But before he went to bed, Sam Oh.
tanned an interview with his sister
alone. He felt, secretly, that he
was responsible for the depression
and trouble which seemed to Ill the
household. but that only made him
speak more impetnously. Now,
Sis he began, 'can | get two words
of sense out Of youf
"'Not until you speak politely
she replied.
"'Well, then, please tell me what
the mystery is
"'It Oughtn't to be a mystery to
you, Sam, that you haven't done
well at college. Papa is terribly
disappointed
al don't see why he should com.
nit snicide, if he IT,, Sam retOrted.
Il haven't cost him much this year.
"Oh, yes, you have. Do you
know he actually sold the new coati
"'Whyr Sam frowned.
"Bpcause he's been trying every
way to save money since be began
to get reports of how you were vast
ing your time
"What forr asked Sam, though
he began to suspect.
"Wrll, he-how should | know
Don't you sect He's ashamed tc
have had that money from his old
classmate, and he's nearly saved
enough. and he's going to pay it al
back. There, WAS to keep it secret
and now I've told yonr And hi,
sister burst into tears. 'YOu'vt
nearly broken his heart, San,-p0ol
papa'
"Tfe next day Mr.. Blake's FOL
went of directly after breakfast, ant
was not seen again till afternoon.
"COming back, he overlook hi
father returning from tho Post. OF
fee.
al know all about itr he exclaim
ed in his excitement. Katy tOlt
me last night. Iwish, though you''
held on to the Hew coat while
"Whyr asked NJ. Blake, imper
turbably.
"sBecause,' said Sam, 'l'm goinI
10 pay my own way now. I've bee
Of O.day aud hired ont for the sea
son to Farmer Hedgeburton. YO
won't send that money to Willistou
will yon fatherr
"'YOu are too late was the minis
ter's answer. 'rve just mailed til
letter to him.
"In fact, next day the kind mel
chants eyes were dimmed as b
read these words:
DEAR WILLISTON-My boy
almost breaks my heart to say so
has not proved worthy of your GET
crosby. | have decided to retur
the sum which you sent me for hiI
last year. aud you will find dral
inclosed for that amount. BLAKE
Here l interrupted the narrator.
doesn't this story prove what
said at the berinuipCf- asked,