The Arkansaw traveler., 1883-08-25

that date. is was part of the religion of the place to look upon me as something unusual, and Uncle Jason shared the general feeling. could see. as he sa, there in the school-house observing the school that he was very proud of me. Before leaving he called ne into the en- try and gave me :, bill. It was gener- ous for he was poor man. and had his wife and children 10 support. I, brought the tears to my eyes when he handed me the money and told me was the flower Of the family and the pride of the settle ment. felt as if would rather die than fail of fulfilling the expectations of my friends. There was grea, delight in il. and II was an inexpressible joy to know that my relatives and the neighbors cared so much for me.
 To comprehend this thing fully. Mrs. Pember, you ough, to be in college, and when you are getting hard up, and see TO way but to leave. get letters as did from Uncle ason. with five or six dollars a, time in them. Such trile would carry you through to the end of the term and save your standing in the class. Ii you were Burlington college boy. while you might be willing to depart this life in ar honorable manner. you would not be willing to lose your mark and standing as student You would regard the con sequence of such a disaster as very damaging 10 your character. and certain 10 remain with you forever
 = may as well say. while it IS on my mind, that &0 think this matter of education is little overdone in this par, of ,he country. A young man is not the centre of the universe merely because he IS college student or graduate. and i, Is not worth while 10 scare him with any such idea. The only way he can meet the expectation of his friends. under such circumstances. Is 10 ge, run over acci- denily by the cars. Ina, completes his mar;yrdoEl. and affords his folks an op- por;uni.y ,o boas, of wha; he woald have been If he had lived
 "Tel. us more about Lucy sald Mrs. Penn OCT
 'Aes. certainly. replied Tonpkins Lucy had won ierful iGea of poetry and writing. It Is really alarming Q a stranger t9 see the feeling there is up here in tha, way. The impression prevails generally that writer Is superior 10 all other people on earth. remember to have heard that one of our class. year after we were graduated. started a news paper back here about ten miles, on the bank of he Onion river. He nigh, Ius, as well have started i, under q sa ge bush out on the alkali plains. He gave il some queer Greek name. and heard that the publication was frs, sem-weekly. then weekly and then very weakly indeed. until il came to full stop a, the end of six months. IL would have been rid,cu- lous anywhere else; but being an attempt at literature. suppose l, was looked upon here as respectable.
 And did you use 10 write poetry ?'' queried Mrs. Pember.
 Not to any dangerous extent" re- piled Tompklns. Il do no, Geny tha, tried while in college. bu, 1 reformed when went west. think Uncle Jason always had an idea tha, |, might be better for me 10 be Daniel Webster. He stood by me when l left college, and for three years continued 10 ge, those letters. with five or SIX dollars at time in them. They kcp, me from actual suffering some times. before 1 70, down or my high st.,s. and wen, to work Ike m homes, man. in the pork business
 thou sh, you were som. ,o ,eil us Some;hlns aoou: iha, SIT = suggested Mrs. Fem per
 Yes, was. sad Tompkins mild- Y. Nhea saw i-ccy here four years ago, IT the gallery with the singers. fe., ,ha; !: would be lm- possible for me to face and talk with her. She would no, have known me. for one thing. When was b,own-haired boy. making poetry. and being martyr. and doing serenading. and living on codtsh and crackers and solp. could nee, Lucy with q grand air iha; made her shudder, bu, as sd, there in church. gray and worn. dreaded ,o each her eye, or have her see ne. Although there was not three years difference in our ages. ye: |; seemed 10 me ;ha, was very old, while she was still blooming. Then there WAS ,he feeling tha; had no. be- come great poe;. or orator. Q. anything really worth while. On the contrary. 1 was lus; nobody. l, seemed like attend ing nly ewr funeral. 1 felt disgraced. Of course l; was no, all true. ihad been good. sqaaIe. honest. hardworking man.
 Yes. you hAd indee,.. T.mo:hy." as. sen,ed Mr. len5ey. wi:h aa emphatic nod
 Yes n iccd had." repeated Tomp. klns hls chm quivere.. ".: WIS 10; ,he ihlns for .ar minded man U ;hins SO poorly oi himself 6u: WAS alone, and the old associations and ire solemn services were very impressive. There was Lucy in ;he choir she always could sing Ike nightingale. When I heard her voice agaln. |; overcane me. did no, hear much of,he sermon. think i, was something about temptation. and the suggestions of the ev.i one: 5u, am not sure. for had my head down on the back of the pew in fToEs of me the mos, oi the time. had to hsh, desperately 10 control my feelings One minute would think tha, as soon as the service closed would rush round and shake hands with my old acquain;ances. and the neNs minute would be doin- my bes,