The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1881-10-29


lem of " lib'ral eddicashun." He re-
spected his father opinions, but he did
s. feel shaky' about his definition of
learning. He had listened to country
parson occasionally, and once or twice
felt the thrill impaired by the average
political stump orator at the county seat
and had concluded that the knowledge
of such men must be more liberal than
his fathers.
He was further inspired at sight of
the clean, kind and clever young school
master, and held a confidential inter-
view with him at the close of the first
day.
"Mr. Crawfut, please, father says l
that take good deal of time and
money!"
"Well, yes, Isaac; about eight or ten
years and as many hundred dollars, and
short rations at that
" And how many books will need?"
Not far from one hundred
The young knight of one doggerel
arithmetic and spelling-book stood
amazed; then unused, as he walked
home: " Ten years, thousand dollars
and a hundred books! guess father )
corn-crib can't stand it." But he didn' t
alright his father with unfolding the
masters plans for education. But he
grew greedy as he thought of what
there was ahead of him in the book
world. aa
Mr.. Crawfut took to Isaac strongly,
loaned him books and gave him special
90 sr ct II
But. now came a parental exaction-a
cold, cutting hail storm among these
pleasant hopes in the May of life and
ambition-almost enough, it might
seem, to justify filial rebellion; load
to strain even the trusty back of young
and generous manhood!
Isaac had been in school six weeks
with that 'alimentary 'rithmetic," and
of that short season he had made great
harvest of the books of history and BIZ
ography found in his teachers little
collection-mustard seeds that grew
into shadowing national branches later.
Then, one morning, his father very SOL
EMMY drew him aside and gave him
this calling proof that the wisdom of
Solomon-''lf thou be surety for thy
friend, thou art snared"-
had not worn out:
Isaac" (his full name from his ia
Their always meant sorry business), "last
year l signed note for fifty dollars
with neighbor Stokes. He's been sick
long time, lost his boss, and cam t
pay. I've got to raise the money, but
don't see how. Crops, you know, is next
to nuthiu', an cordwood hardly pays
for haulin' to town. Noa0, Pm coming
to 'nawful hard spot. Wot d'you say,
my son, to leavin' of skule an goin'
to work for 'Squar' RogersP He'll pay
five dollars month an board fur We.
An you shall 90 huff more mex winter
to finish the 'rithmetic.'
What answer would you expect from
boy of thirteen, who loves the first
taste of books and crayed moreP A very
bad face-a wry face-wouldn't your
Yes; but there are exceptional boys.
Even Mr.. Lennon didn't know his own
very well. He hardly dared look him
IN the face, for he thought he would re-
bel
Isaac did shrug his shoulders, shook
his head for an instant, and put on
false face in the form of a scowl. But
he soon took it off, and looked up with
a manly earnestness. The trait that
grew old with him-sympathy for the
innocent in trouble-was early upon
him.
Father" said he, ''rm sorry you've
got the note to pay; lucky it's no big
ger. But since you must, I'm glad if
| can help. Pll do it; of course l will.
I've pocketed some good. starters in
the way of ideas in these six weeks
and l can do something at study nights
and moons, if l can borrow the books"
Then the situation seemed to assume
a comical shape in Isaac's mind. He
began with smile, and broke into a
laugh.
81 think l feel like the frog in the
masters story-book who thought to
equal the OK. l was getting pulled up
with pride over what great scholar
I'd soon be, and now I'm busted-al-
most
Isaac's more elaborate biographers
do not agree that this was the only
school he ever attended, though none
allow him years schooling. But l
have the word of one who was his daily
comrade for years, that, on that after
noon, Isaac Lennon left his first school,
and left school for life; that is, the
school that is made up of boys and girls
on benches, and master and desk at
one end of the room.
He parted light-hearted from his
teacher.
'Tll help father; and l shall feel bet
ter, anyway, to do as he thinks best.
Father means to be good to me, but
he's poor; that's all that ais him."
Isaac wouldn't sit down to cry under
bad luck. He was rather original in
his ease of coming down without giving
up; and he had not become so attached
to the school-house as to think it the
only lane that leads to knowledge. He
even felt stronger that he could feel
hopeful under so grievous disappoint-
ment.
But Schoolmaster Crawfut s'boarded
round" and told the neighbors sit
was shame to take so bright boy
away from books and set him to chop
ping backiogs." He didn't know what
mammoth burdens Isaac's inclinations
to look on the bright side first was to
help him bear late in life!
Once fairly installed as helper on
tCuniro Rooaro1 Gown, Tsooo >,.oaooIo I