Alpena weekly argus. [volume] (Alpena, Mich.) 1871-1893, 1884-09-24

feelings. I'm seventeen, and lust
aching for chance ut n little moro
schooling But father II No, er henrof Il.
Can you spell through tho spollin'.
bookp' he asked the other night; and
when l said yes. could, We'll. then. ,
says he. go over II agcn. Whom Twas
a boy. ] spelled through II fgrty-.our
times As il a fellow ought TO waste
his brains in doing fortr-'our times
what eleven times would more than
make him more than Io,fect inl It's
my belief he never was "a boy
"Now, young man." said q dry voice
behind him, IF you've freed your mind,
we'll 60 10 work.
The boys. oil three Of them, Jumped
as though suddenly gal anlzed. The
Deacon, In fa 4, had stolen a march ON
them; he had gone through the orchard,
and, crossing the road lower down, en-
tered the barn from the rear Hc now
stood In the doorway. grimly surveying
the three malcontents. "Want moro
school n. do youP' said he. Nov.
don't lot me hear any more OF that non
sense, I'm older'n you, and know
best what's COED for you.
"Oh. futher, are you sure YOU dor
cried Charley. impnlSiycly; for II this
winged moment held single chance
for him hu could not bear to let II slip
"Are YOU sure you dop' he "a IT,
Haven't | worked steady. and been
faithful? | haven't comp aimed. either,
though sometimes felt hard. Father.
put yourself in my place minute. You
have means, and would be saving as
possible. Lot mo have year IN the
High School, and there's nothing I'll
not do for you
The Deacon surveyed the petitioner
with his habitual scowl, and did not inn
mediatcly answer. Perhaps, IL the truth
were known, he was little tou he'd by
tho eager pleading and honest, boyi, h
face of his tirst-born. But If there was
any INDIGESTION IL was brief. " hen he
So oke his voice had the old, hard ring.
aud harley's hopes fell even before the
words were uttered.
$500 here, Charles, he said, I'm
not going 10 have any moro words over
this matter, SO Well settle il once for
all. You seem to think | don't know
what's best for you Maybe l don't;
but who are you to Judge? don't ro-
member being wrong wnen once made
up my mind. l have my reasons. and
act on them. Now, say, You'll get
no schooling from me, outside the DIS
trict; unless, iudeed"-he paused,
watching the expectant look that began
to dawn on the lads faces at such an
unlooked-for loophole as a provis >
''upless, indeed, you can prove that yol
know more than do when I've given
YOU your orders"
At this characteristic ending expect
ancy died again; how is the mouac, sa Q
lodged In pussy's claws, TO prove to hor
she ought to let him go9 "Migtt a
known you was foolin /, +" muttered Bill.
who. although the youugest--or per-
haps because he was the Youngest, and
of a waggish turn Of m nd--bad less
fear of bis father than the rest.
~ cry well, SIR" said Charles. re.
signcdly. The party went about their
work; the younger boys talked to-
gether but he wass lent, and pitiable
expression Of hopelessncss shadowed
his face. His father may have felt that
he had been too harsh. for frequently
he glanced around at him, and duying
the rest of the afternoon was as nearly
pleasant as his nature permitted. but
week or more passed by. Charley was
not the same lad, however; he did not
eat much, he moped. The truth wa,
he felt for the first time that the key
was turned in the lock, and that he
himself was prisoner. Hope had Wis.,
tied him before; now she was shut out,
A little vii age, no chance of earning
money, under age, ignorant except In
farm work and little miscellaneous
reading he was indeed hemmed in
To many, in situation like this, comcs
the idea of escape, no mat CIR what
means are used to effect il. II was
characteristic of the steady, clear
headed harlcs that in tho crash of his
hopes he planned neither revenge nor
| flight. OF the first he was incapable;
! for the last he was not fitted; So,
though downhearted, he aid not neg
lect his work, and toilcd on faithfully.
lie could have taken no better course,
had he tried, to work on his father S
| sympathy. Tears, pcttishness these
always reused the iron old man to re-
sistance or punishment. In the pres
ent case almost think he would have
welcomed an excuse sufficient 10 release
him from his word, so much did he
respect the manly demeanor of his son.
TO this end, indeed, events were
already paving the way. The Deacon
had made up his mind that it was go.
ing to be good corn year, and was anx-
ious to p ant good deal AS this entailed
extra work, the family was kept busy
enough. At last there remained only
a three acre field, aud the Deacon had
resolved to himself that this should be
plowed on Saturday,
All the week the boys had been hard
at work, and when Saturday nigh,
came they were not so ry. Sunday
morning dawned, serene and clear. NO,
a breath of wind stirring, and the
warmth of the sun drawing spicy fra
GRANGE from the earth. Chores were
done as usual, breakfast-nevor So
ciab!e meal--was disposed OF. Mrs.
Weaver went into tho kitchen 10 make
arrangements for dinner and the Dea
con himself. drawing his own chair
back from tho table, looked with m n
gled disgust and anger ut his sons
They were sitting la,ily around, enjoy,
ing the sense of leisure. the freedom
from work. which Sunday morning
always brought.
"Dawdle, dawdle" said the Deacon,
sharply. "Whcrc'd 1 be, II l dawdled
like you when Is boyP Where d go
be. I'd like to know Come. get up
stir yourselves. or you won't get any
thing done to-day. Char es, you take
the roam, and 60 to blowing the three
acre. That fields tolab o rough;
reckon Bill had better sit on the horse
Isaac. you take some shavings ant
matches, and fire the old stump OF the
far end Of the fed. Quick, now, an
make up for lost time. I'll jine "
before long"
The boys had been staring at theil
father In open mouthed conformation
but this exordium so reused Bits sens,
of the ludicrous that invo unfairly h,
sniekered.
"You, sirv'--the Deacon turned
sharp upon him--'.what's ihat forP III
teach you to laugh;'' and vigorous
slam certainly did alter the ex preston