Northern tribune. [volume] (Cheboygan, Mich.) 1875-1885, 1881-04-02

Of the warning, and did himself no credit
In his studies. Though he managed to
squeeze through his examination at the
end of the freshman year, he came out
far down toward the foot of his class.
He wasn't quite cOntented with himself,
and thought he'd try to do better next
year. But during the journey home he
recovered his usual spirits.
"When he walked up the village toward
the parsonage farm, he was thinking
that since he was Sophomore now =
he would buy the knOttiest and biggest
headed cane i'm Cambridge when he
should go back there. And what do you
suppose was the first thing that met him
at home? 1t was his father out i'm the
field digging 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:
80 father, let me do that. don't like
to see you at such work"
Mr.. Blake stopped, and looked earnest
ly and rather sadly at him.
well, Sam, l think that's about as
good hOw-dO-yOu-dO as You could have
offered me. There's something good
about you after ALL"
1t had not occurred to Sam that there
was any doubt on that point before. He
blushed as he asked:
where's the hired man."
1--WE discharged him. cant 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 it was the
first night of the prOdigaPs return 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
sharpened accordingly. He was now
aware that his father looked very thin,
as well as sad. Suddenly he laid 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 glazed
at MIR. Blake and her mother, and made
no answer.
Il thought" said Sam petulantly shat
WillistOn's money was going to make it
easy for you, father; and here the pinch
ing is going on five times worse than
ever"
Il don't own my friend Williston's
money" said the minister, quietly.
'Of course not. But the five hundred
dol"
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
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. snow,
SIS he began, 'can | get two words of
sense out of you"
mot until you ask politely" she re-
Piled.
"Well, then, please tell me what the
mystery is"
ut Oughn't to be a mystery to you, Sam,
that you haven't done well at college.
Papa is terribly disappointed"
Il don't see why he should try to COM
init suicide, if he is" Sam retOrted. IL
haven't cost him much this year."
''Oh, yes, you have. Do you know he
actually sold his new cOat?"
"Why?" Sam frOwned.
Because he's been trying every way to
save money since he began to get reports
of how you were wasting your time
'What fOr?" asked Sam though he be-
gan to suspect.
swell, he-how should l know? Don't
To- cIop cd 70 hov hoH hot
money from his classmate, and he's
pay it all back. There | was to keep it
secret, and now I've told your And 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 again till afternoon. Coming back,
he overlook his father coming from the
pOstOffice.
Il know all about itr' he exclaimed, i'm
his excitement. katy told me last
night. wish you'd held on to the new
coat while"
"Why?" asked Mr.. Blake, imperturb-
ably.
Because" said Sam, "Pm going to
pay my own way now. I've been off to-
day, and hired out for the season to Far
mer HedgeburtOn. You won't send that
money to WillistOn, will you, father?"
"YOu are too late," was the ministers
answer, Eve just mailed the letter to
him.
'In fact, next day the kind merchants
eyes were dimmed as he read these
words:
DEAR WILLISTON:-Myb Oy-it almost
breaks my heart to say SO has not prov
ed worthy of your generosity. l have
decided to return the sum which you sent
me last year, and you will find draft in
closed for that amount. BLAKE"
Here interrupted the narrator. "DOes
not this story prove what said at the be-
ginning?" asked.
mo; for that isn't the end of it. Sam
went down to Boston in the autumn with
a few dollars of earnings in his pocket.
He had decided to give up college, and so
he applied to Mr.. WillistOn for clerk
ship.
i He told him II proved myself unworthy
as my father said. Now give me a
chance to show myself worthy"
WillistOn gave him position, and he
worked there two years. Then an OppOr-
tunity offered to 90 west and take part
nership 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 concern
could produce.
Il am wel[tO-dO man now, sir, con-
tinued my Acquaintance, suddenly speak
ing i'm the first person, ''and when we get
to Chicago if you will come to my estab-
lishment / will show you my fathers, the
| ministers old, shiny coat, which 1 pre-
serve because it was the beginning of a
fortune and made a man of me-"
"Then," l exclaimed, taking him by
. TIM hond eft iC vourcalf rny, houn bonv,