Knoxville daily chronicle. [volume] (Knoxville, Tenn.) 1870-1882, 1881-01-01

and dingy study in the old farm parsonage,
holding that letter in his hard and lifting
his faithful eyes in thankfnlIess to God"
YES" replied. - i!iiston did Just
the right thing. too. And how was III Did
the sun sho " that he deserved the belp?"
MY acqu ,intance looked away from me
at the rich c2antry through which we
were passing. Then he said: ''Sam Blake
was q good -natured, obedient fellow
enough, and was greatly pleased to have
the expense of his first college year taken
off his fathers shoulders; but his sense of
duty didn't go very far. Rev. Mr.. Blake
bought new coat, and Sam entered Ear
ward that fall; ana there matters stopped
for awhile.
"a freshman has great deal to learn,
As you know; but think the chief thing
Sam learned tn It term was the great diff
erence there is between Hargardand little
village like Elnbank, and the great diff
Guilty Of working and playing at the same
time. Here he had society meetings to
attend, and rooms Of his own, with q chum,
where good deal Of smoking was done
by himself and his friends. And then
there was base ball. into which it appeared
indispensable for the honor of the class
that he should enter actively. on account
of his strong legs, wonderful wind and
grand batting. He could not refuse to go
to the theatre Gee .sionly with his richer
COUlphuiUIS. EdL1 loCh iAkotc ss
IN the society Of young ladies, too, and had
to giyeup solne time 80 its cultivation. he
also thought moderate amount OF Irac-
tlce in the gymnasium was desirable to
prevent his health breaking down Lnder
the confinement of study. SO, on the
whole the actual work that he did in the
college was not very extensive. THIS
didn't seem to have any bad effect till
| well along IN the winter, when the habit of
Sinking work had grown go strong without
his noticing it that be fell easily into
reading novels when be ought to have
been in the recitation room. Gymnasium,
| theatre, billiards, smoking-and L am
afraid l must say little drinkiDg-srit-
| tered away mis- time.
when he nd got up TOO late Ter pray ers,
the possnan brought him note from the
faculty-an 'admoniton.' He dropped
the pipe he was just lighting and bolted off
| TO recitation. But he beaded Immediate
ly, and that discouraged him, He sooa
began to make light of the warnings, and
| did himself no credit in his studies.
Though he managed to squeeze through
| the examination at the end OF the fresh-
man year, he came out far down towards
| the foot of his class He wasn't quite con-
tented with himself and thought he'd try
| to do better the next yesr. But during tue
journey home he recovered mis- usual splr-
| its.
"When he walked .up the village to-
! wards the parsonage farm he was thinking
| that-since he was sophomore now-he
| would buy the knottiest aud biggest cad
| ed caae in Cambridge when ne should go
| back there. And what do you suppose
| was the first thing that met him at home?
| 1t was b f4ther out in the field digging
for new potatoes, his coat off, and his
| specialized face perspring. The sight
| struck shame into the boy. He vaulted
| the fence, and running up with hsrdly a
pause for greeting cried:
| Oh father, let me do that. l don't
| like to see you at such work
| 'Mr Blake stopped and looked esrneat-
| ~ and rather sadly at him.
| "'Well, Sam, think that's about as
good How do-you-do? ss you could have
offered me- There's something RICH!
about you after alf?'
| lit had not occurred to Sam that there
was any doubt on that point before. he
| blushed as he asked:
| "'Wheres the hired mani
| I've discharged him. / can't afford
one at present, my son, was the answer.
sam WAS rather puzzled, and began t.
reaec
"rhey went into the house, and there
when the minister reappeared after max
ing his toilet, his son noticed that ne wore
the ola shabby, shiny coat. at this hs
| was more than ever astonished. The sup
per, also, Notwithstanding that it was the
first night of the prodigaps return, wa
very meagre. Not single extra luxury
was on the table, and Sam observed tina
his father and mother took no sugar no.
seeing this, and his perception was sharp
ened accordingly. He was now aware tina
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 sl this mean?-this go
ing without the hired man, and starving
yourselves?
His sister looked IS him, then glanced
at Mr.. Blake and her mother, and made n.
answer.
~ thought said Sam, petulantly, 'tha
Williston's money was going to make i
easy for you, father; and here the pinch
ing is gong on five times worse than ever.
money said the minister quietly.
"Of course not. But the five hundred
dol Sam stopped abruptly on en- en-
treating gesture from his sister.
The subject was not resumed. Blu
before he went to bed Sam obtained an in
terview with his sister alone. He felt Sc
crelIy that he was responsible for the de.
preston and trouble which seemed to fl
the household, but that only made hin
speak more impetuously. Now, Sis,' h,
began, can get TWO words. of common
sense out Of you?
mot until you ask politely III,
replied
well, then. please tell me what thu
mystery is
ut oughtn't to be mystery to you
Sam, that you haven't done well at col
lege.- Papa is terribly disappointed
| 80 don't zee why be should commit
suicide If be is returted Sam. I havn'
cost h m much this year.
"'Oh, yes, you have. Do you know ht
actually sold his new coat?'
| "'W hyP Sam frowned
"'Because he's been trying every way t.
save money since he began to get reports
of how you were wasting your Time
- hat for?' asked Sam, though he be-
gan to suspect.
Nv ell, he--how should know? Dom
you see? He's ashamed u have had tina
nearly save enough, and he's going t
pay all back. There, 1 was to keen i
secret. and now I've told your And hi
sister burst into tears. Gu have nearl,
| broken his heart, Sam-poor papAl'
The next day Mr.. Blakes son went of
directly after breakfast and was not seer
again till afternoon. Coming back b.
overlook his father coming from the post
Office
I know ali about ill., he exclaimed il
his excitement. Katy told N last night
l wish, though, you'd held on to tho new
coat awhile
"'Why?' asked Mr. Blake, imperturba
bly,.
/ Because, said Sam, Pm going to pa,
my own way. I've been off to-day AM