Stevens County tribune. (Morris, Minn.) 1877-1880, 1880-03-04

which he haQ got up TOO late LOT prayers,
the postman brought him note from the
Faculty-an 'admonition.'
"He dropped the pipe he was just
lighting and bolted off to recitation. But
he beaded Immediately and that dis
couraged him.
''He soon began to make light of the
warning, and did himself no credit in his
studies. Though he managed to squeeze
through the examination at the end of the
freshman year, he came out far down to-
ward the foot of his class.
"He was not quite contented with him
self and thought he would try to do bet
ter next year. But during the journey
home he quite recovered his usual
spirits.
"When he walked up to the village to-
wards the parsonage farm, he was think
ing that-sluce he was 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 sight that met him
at home?
at was his father out in the field, dig
glng 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:
go, father! let me do that! don't
like to see you at such work.
"Mr. Blake stopped and looked earn
estIy and rather sadly at him.
"Well, Sam, think that's about as
40 IoQD nnV,Il
have offered me. There's something right
about you after all.
stIt hadn't occurred to Sam that there
was any doubt on that point before. He
blushed as he asked
"'Where's the hired mans"
"I've 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 reappeared after max
ing 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
that it was the first night of the prodi-
gals return, was very meager. Not
single extra luxury was on the table, and
Sam observed that his father and mother
took no sugar and butter. His own APP
petite began to fail at seeing this, and his
perception was sharpened accordingly.
He was now aware that his father looked
very thin, as well as sad. Suddenly he
land down his knife, and exclaimed to his
sister Katy
isis, what does all this mean?-this
going without the hired man and starv-
ing yourselves.
"His sister looked at him, then glanced
at Mr.. Blake and 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 Willlston's
money! said the minister, quietly.
"'Ot course not. But the five hun
dred doll. Sam stopped abruptly on
an entreating gesture from his sister.
sThe subject was not resumed. But
before he went to bed, Sam obtained an
interview with his sister alone. He felt,
secretly, that he was responsible for the
depression and trouble which seemed to
fill the household, but that only made
him speak more impetuously. Now,
SIS he began, 'can, get two words OF
sense out of you?'
"'Not until you speak politely she
said.
"'Well, then, please tell me what the
mystery is
"'It ought not to be mystery TO you
Sam, that you haven't done we'll at col
lege. Papa is terribly disappointed
"'I don't see why he should commit
suicide, if he is, Sam retorted. 4 have
not cost him much this year
"'Oh, yes you have. Do you know he
actually sold his new coatH
"What for?' growled Sam.
"Because he's been trying every way
to save money since he began to get re-
ports Of how you were wasting YOU
time
'''What FORE asked Sam, though he be-
gan to suspect.
"sWell, he-how should l know?-dc
you not see? He's ashamed to have hac
that money from his old class mate, ano
he has nearly saved enough, and he's go
ing to pay it all back. There, I was tc
keep it secret, and now I've told you
and his sister burst into tears. you've
nearly broken his heart, Sam-poor pa
pa!
"The next day Mr.. Blake's son went of
directly after breakfast, and was no
seen again till afternoon.
"Coming home, le overlook his fathe
returning from the post office.
Il know all about it' he exclaimed
in his excitement. katy told me las
night. Iwish, though, you'd held Oh t
the new coat awhile
"Why,' asked Mr.. Blake, imperturba
, bly,.
"'Because, said Sam, I'm going to pa
? my own way, now. I've been off to- da
3 and hired out for the season to farme
Hudgeburton. You won't send tina
: money to Williston, will you, father9"
l &c You are too late was the minister
. answer. I've just mailed the letter t
him."
;. "In fact, next day the kind merchant
t eyes were dimmed as he read these words
| "'DEAR WILLIsToN-My boy-it al
J most breaks my heart to say so-has no
proved worthy of your generosity. hav
decided to return the sum which you sen
: me for him last year, and you viii
{ find a draft enclosed for that amount
D BLAKE
Here interrupted the narrator.
e doesn't this story prove what I sal
at the beginnings" asked.
: "No; for that isn't the end of it. Sar
!, went down to Boston in the autumn wit
E a few dollars of earnings in his poke
4 He had decided to give up college, an