The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1884-05-28

DhTn lTOm Jne rear. Ilo INV neoou III oho
doorway, grimly surveying the three
malcontents. "Want more schoolin', do
you p" said he. "Now, don't let me hear
any more of that nonsense. I'm older'n
you, and know best what's good for you"
"Oh, father are you sure you do 2"
cried Charley, impulsively; for if this
winged moment held single chance for
him, he could not bear to let it slip. " Are
you sure you do q" he said. Haven't |
worked steady, and been faithful 1
haven't complained, either, though some
times | felt hard. Father, put yourself
in my place a minute. You have means,
and would be saving as possible. Let
me 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 i'm
mediately answer. Perhaps, if the truth
were known, he was little touched by
the eager pleading and honest, boyish face
of his first.born. But if there was any
indecision, it was brief. When he spoke,
his voice had the old, hard ring, and
Charley's hopes fell even before the words
were uttered.
"See here, Charles" he said, "I'm not
going to have any more words over this
matter, so we'll settle it once for all. You
seem to think l don't know what's best
for you. Maybe l don't; but who are
you to iudge2 l don't remember being
wrong when once made up my mind.
/ have my reasons, and act on them.
Now, / say, you'll get no schooling from
me, outside the district; unless, indeed
he paused, watching the expectant look
that began to dawn on the lads faces at
such an unlooked.for loophole as a proviso
=" unless, indeed, you can prove that you
know more than l do when I've given you
your ordsrs.'
At this characteristic ending expect
sncy died again how is the mouse, safe
lodged in pussy's claws, to prove to her
she ought to let him go? "Might a }
known you was foolin'," muttered Bill,
who, although the youngest-or perhaps
because he was the youngest, and of a
waggish turn mind-had less fear of his
father than the rest
every well, sir" said Charles, resign
eddy. The party went about their work /;
the younger boys talked together, but he
was silent, and pitiable hopelessness
Swallowed his face. His father may have
felt that he had been too harsh, for fire..
quently he glanced around at him, and
during the rest of the afternoon was as
nearly pleasant as his nature permitted.
But the subject was not renewed, and a
week or more passed by. Charley was
not the same lad, however; he did not eat
much, he moped. The truth was, he felt
for the first time that the key was turned
in the lock, and that he himself was a
prisoner. Hope had visited him before ;
now she was shut out. A little village,
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, comes the idea of escape, no matter
what means are used to effect it. 1t was
characteristic of the steady, clear.headed
Charles that in the crash of his hopes he
planned neither revenge nor fight. OF
the first he was incapable for the last he
was not fitted so, though downhearted
he did not neglect his work, and toiled on
faithfully.
He could have taken no better course
had he tried, to work on his fathers sym
pathy. Tears, pettishness-these always
reused the iron old man to resistance OF
punishment. In the present case l almost
think he would have welcomed an excuse
sufficient to release him from his word
so much did he respect the manly de
mearor of his son.
To this end, indeed, events were al
ready paving the way. The deacon haG
made up his mind that. it was going
to be good corn year, and was
anxious to plant good deal. AS this en-
tailed extra work, the family was KEEP
busy enough. At last there remained
only three.acre field, and the deacon had
resolved to himself that this should bt
plowed on Saturday.
All the week the boys had been hard al
| they were not sorry. Sunday morning
dawned, serene and clear, not a breath o.
wind stirring, and the warmth of the sur
drawing a spicy fragrance from the earth
Chores we're done as usual, breakfast
never a sociable meal--was disposed of
Mrs. Weaver went into the kitchen X
make arrangements for dinner, and thu
deacon himself, drawing his own chat
back from the table, looked with min
gled disgust and anger at his sons. They
were sitting lazily around, enjoying thu
sense of leisure, the freedom from work
which Sunday morning always brought.
"Dawdle, dawdle said the deacon
sharply. "Where'd 1 be, if I'd dawdlet
like you when rs boy? Where'd you
be, I'd like to know? Come, get up; sti
yourselves, or you won't get anything
done to-day. Charles, you take the roam
and go to blowing the three-acre. Tha
fields tolable rough reckon BilPd BET
ter sit on the horse. Isaac, you take som
shavings and matches, and fire the oil
stump at the far end of the field. Quick
now, an make up for lost time. I'll jim
ye before long"
The boys had been staring at thei
father in open.mouthed CONSERVATION
but this exordium 80 reused Bills sens
of the ludicrous that involuntarily b
snickered.
"You, sir THE deacon turned shar
upon him" what's that for? I'll teacl
you to laugh" and vigorous slap Gel
tainly did alter the expression of Bill
countenance. Well" turning to Charles
"why don't you start ?"
Charley was still staring at him in bt
wilderment. "But, father" he began.
"But me no buts," said his father
not another word do as bid YOU"
eyes, sir" began Charley once more
but" The deacon lost patience. " G