Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1882-04-26
WOODSTOCK, VERMONT, APBIL 49, 1882.

then Strengthened himself and hrtlyely
brushed off some lint sticking to his
coat. lIe had Ohen IN tho summer
rowed Miss Ruth down the river had
taught her how to manage the oars aud
had looked on with pride In his pupil
when her own light boat she had sent
TO Boston for, took ltS place IN the
'branch' back Of tho house, ile had
even once or twice been asked 10 tea,
but since fall this had not happened,
Hc knew she must have heard Of his
wildness, and supposed she would not
care TO speak to him.
Sam was one Of the New England
boys who had no oyermaStcring long
Ing for q college education, who had
never taken very kindly to his books,
and who was mcrley healthy, funlov'
ing fellow, with some common sense
rather rudimentary Us yet, aud with
q great longing to SEQ the world,
meaning by this either going out to
clcrkship in some narrow store, or
possibly getting on one ofthc lake boats
But no was tho only boy left the farm
waited for him, aud was one Of the
best in the country, and Beniah Shcr-
burnc could not understand why the
steady round Of work was not satisfy
ing.
A deacon in the Congregational
church, aud with II shcaf Of doctrines
handed down from his father and des-
tined in turn for Sam, who would ncv-
or listen three minutes to their cx-
pounding, the good man shook his head
sorrowinlly and added one or two more
clauses to his daily prayers. The
mother and he sat contentcdly by the
little stove in the sitting room. She
darncd and patched and turned, with
the lifelong habit of saving as strong
now, when its need was past, as in the
early days. They took the country
paper and had few books bought from
persistent book agents, but there was
no sense Of brightness or cheer in the
narrow quarters, and Sam shot out
after tea and could never be found till
bedtime. Even the dingy kitchen of
the Canadians was better than his own
home, for there at least were jest and
or q dance suddenly improvis-
ed if Baptictc appeared with his fiddle.
This was bad enough, the father
thought, but when Sam was discovered
playing cards with the Brown boys in
the barn loundless Indignation had its
way. Sam was thrashed and ordered
not to go near them and the cards went
into the kitchen fire.
The natural result followed. Out
wardly submissive, but inwardly re-
bellious, the boys had their way, and
now at eighteen, Sam seemed to have
gone to the bad altogether refused to
enter the church, and, it was reported
he had been seen drunk in the streets
of the country town. The Brown boys
ran the saw-mill at the foot of the hill,
but their father done most of the work,
and sighed dolorously if any one asked
him why he did not keep them there.
Ruth looked at the lad as she walk
ed; tall, sturdy fellow with honest
eyes, but q weak, uncertain mouth and
chin. As she talked, he gained conf
dence and answered with something of
his old freedom; full, CHEEKY voice
with very little of the nasal quality at
which Ruth still WINGED.
Il wanted to see you, Sam,' she
said presently, 'for l want to talk over
with you, and l think you
can help me. Will you come to our
house to-night?'
Sam hesitated and colored.
Il don't know about tonight, Miss
Ruth. I'd promised Harvey Brown to
20 up to the line with him
lis it special business?'
Moo, not SO very
Then bring Harvey and John, too,
said Ruth. Il want all three of you
will you?'
yes, ma'am,' said Sam, confounded.
The Brown boys were neighborhood
synonym for outrageousness, and Miss
Ruth must be beside herself. However
here was no chance for remonstrance,
for with his yes ma'am' she had turn
ed into the post office, with 'Good-by
hen till evening" and Sam walked on
what he had better do.
you've got me in fine mess,
Harvey Brown said, when Sam told
hem of the promise made for them.
but in spite of shamefacedness, curiosity
was strong.