The commonwealth. (Scotland Neck, N.C.) 1882-1884, 1883-03-22

more embarrassed by he old clothes
when they happened to meet than
Robert himself. He ceased to appear
at the young peoples gatherings,
because they untitled him for his
early morning work.
"You get very little recreation, my
boy" said his mother, laying her
hand tenderly on his head one even
ing, ''you ought to have more young
society,""
"Never mind, mother dear. I'd
like it we'll enough. but it won't hurt
me to do without it. I've chosen my
way. and please God I'm going to
stick to it with loyal heart and true.
It's rougher way than most of the
boys and girls have, which | suppose
is the reason l don't seem to fit in
with them any longer"
whats become Of Robert ?" asked
Frank Wells of one OF his friends
some four years after the two had
began to fight with the world.
IL don't know heard something
about his having gone East"
TO find work. probably" said
Frank, and then he forgot all about
Robert.
Years after this Frank stood in
the corner of a crowded room, furnish.
ing his small quota of well-dressed
manhood to the party given by Mr..
Strong, his empioy' r, On the occasion
of his daughters eighteenth birthday.
Come. Frank, let's go home,' said
a friend to him after supper. "Ain't
YOU tired Of this p
Yes, but want to see who that
,, is old Strong is introducing to Miss
Laura. See how much he's making
OF the young fellow. Who is he p
seems to look familiar, somehow
"Well, forget his name, but it's
man who has graduated with great
honor at some school for civil engin
GERS. and they're making a big fuss
over him. l heard him a while age
talking with railroad conductor Gay
who they say tried to give him a lift
some years ago because be made
some clever little invent on in the
way Of a steam cutoff when he was
III the machine shops-wish I'd had
such a chance -
"Or l." grumbled Frank, 'I've
always had to tug for myself
but this chap wouldn't be lifted
Said he had gone in to work his way
up. and was going to do it. Got ad
mitted at the Polytechnic. has studied
while he worked with all his might
and now he's got position out on
the Greut Wester", and is going tt
South America next season on con
tract that's going to make his for
tune"
Frank continued to gaze into the
strong young face, wondering where
he could have seen il before. Th
large eyes. quick and bright in thei
thoughtfuIness. seeme' to carry hin
back to other days, but a moustach
laid the mouth, and Frank had drop
ped his own eyes to evolve iron
his brain the far-of memory, whel
powerful grasp took in his sof
hand.
1--we been looking for you-ho,
do you do
: 'Robert ?''-said Frank in bewil
derment
> Yes, didn't you know me %
mot at first
r Il only got home yesterday. or
should have hunted you up. ST
f down with me, old fellow, and te
me about all the folks l used t
a know"
i SO they talked. Robert touche
e but lightly o. his hard struggle wit
y circumstances in which he had com
r out winner. but it was all told in tn
expression Of earnest purpose an
|, high endeavor which always write
| it's own story on face. Every VII
u tory over self, every resolution whic
t bore 'Forward'' for its watchwor
# had set its line on Roberts counter
ance, as hard work and ignoring c
l. luxurles hal developed his powerful
5. well-knit frame. There came vagu'
p ly to Frank mind some lines Robel
o had been fond of in the sobert
n houls of his school.boy life of lon
ago, which ran:
! Loyal hearts and true
Stand ever in their light,
All rapture through and through
r In Gods most holy sight,
. He could not help feeling that he ha
borne them clearly before him a
= these years.
"He was right said Frank
himself in bitter self-contempt as
walked home. alone. ''He's doing
d mans work, and Pm the favOrit
salesman at old Strong's ribbo
X counter, a place which any girl
moderate ability could fill bett'
than 1. l wish I'd begun diferentl