Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1884-08-12

rected what is to be forwarded. If
you see anything else that needst to be
done, you can do tiff you feel disposed,
Ijust as you would were this your
fathers and mothers home and they
had been unexpectedly called away to
be gone for several MONTHS ~
6 see, sir,' said Aleck. ssIwilI
be on hand in the morning bright and
early. Good night, sir.
The squire chuckIed to himself as
the door closed. I've given him
chance, if he's the boy I take him to
be, hewill make the most of it. I
shouldn't have thought of it, though,
if hadn't liked the way he was wind
ing up that yarn. He had q little
idea that every time the long arms of
that swift went whizzing around they
were reaching out into the future.':
Z" It's queer bargain, said AleclS
aloud, to the cutting North wind as
he went down the hill, g but it is a
good place to practice the precept,
Not what, or where, but how -
{" You can keep an eye on him."
said Squire Eaton to Margaret, the
hOusekeepcr, the next morning, &c but
hardly think lie is the kind Of lad
toturn out like Percy Stiles and mind
now that he never hears Pcrcy's
story"
Margaret nodded, and as the mas
ter went out, John, her husband, said:
" Wasn't he queer one. The
Squire has never had anything to do
with boys since then; and yet he
dotes on boys"
&c Know" said Margaret; "just
to think how much he set by Master
Percy, and what chance the lad
threw away. Do you remember how
the Squire looked at first, when he
really believed there had been bur-
gIar in the house, and he said, You
are hero Percy. You have saved
our lives and our propcrty!'''
g remember" said John, "but
that was nothing to the scene after
the matter had been investigated, and
lie was convinced that Percy was the
rogue, as well as the hero, when he
called us all into the library ard sent
for the poor lad. He came thinking
he was to receive n reward for the
bravery. 1t is just like picture in
my mind even now. The Squire ris-
ing from his armchair, with that
stern, white face. Percy, with the
cNultant arrant look of expectation,
changing to that of n culprit. Do
you remember how his voice sounded
when lie said: All the boys ever
read about in story books did somc-
thing very brave aud dangerous to
win for themselves fame and gifts
and friends, and wanted to be
hero!'"
Ycs," said Margaret, "I remem-
lber itapd the sGpire,s reply; The
honest boy who does his simple duty
and makes the best of every day, is
the hero that the world needs but I
think this lad is made of different
kind of stuff"
He's made busy winter of it,
sir" /" said the old housekceper when,
one April day, tho squire arrived at
home unexpectedly and asked for
Aleck. Z" He's not been away one
evening, nor missed day at school
the Whole term. He's made the fires,
swept the paths, looked after the
hinges of the gates, the latches of the
barn doors, and the fastcnings ofthe
blinds; he's petted the dogs, md
cats and birds, watcred and trained
the plants, and checrcd up the time
for John and me as bIithely as if we
had been his own grandparents. He
has not failed one morning of running
up to the Widows Grcy's before
school time to sec how she was getting
on, and he has never mcddled with
anything nor been in Mischief
'' And he has written me a letter
every Saturday," said the squire,
giving concise account of all the
happenings here" Going into the
library and looking about, he adds:
{" He has filed all my periodicals
and kept everything ready for me to
look over rs easily as if 1. had been
gone only for a week"
f" Well, Alccl5, what have you made
of your work?" he said, as the lad
came in flushed with pleasure at see
ing him.
g have had a profitable winter at
school, sir. 1 have read a good deal
of history, have learned great
many things from John and Margaret
and cannot tell you. sir, how happy
have been. l am afraid have done
very little to pay for all these priv
ileges," and Alexis voice trembIed.
'' have found boy that I can
trust, and that pays me-" Eaid the
squire, and his voice grew a little
husky. " Now we will make a new
bargain. -
All that was years ago. Aleck is
squire Eaton's law partner now, a
successful man, and better than that.
good man. He is fond of helping
young people, he likes to have them
improve their time. and he often says:
8 1t is not so much consequence what
or where your work is, as what you
make of it. Chicago Standard.
Distemper is always dangerous and
often fatal in winter when the
horse can't get green food. At this