The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1885-10-16
TOMS SOPHOMORE YEAR.


Tom stood in the middle of the room
with his hands in his pockets, whistling
softly, and looking about him.
It was a plain little room just under
the roof, but Il had been Toms room
ever since he had had one Of his own,
and he was attached to it.
Bot in day or two, so he was saying
10 himself, he was about to leave it for
nearly year. There, near the end of
the bed, stood his truuk-a funny old
trunk that had belonged to his grand
father, and was covered with hairy hide
fastened with brass nails
He had inst been packing it. and a
glance at its contents told " here he was
going to spend the coming year.
For besides his clothing might be seen
green-covered Latin and Greek grammars,
1eathern- bound lexicons, an algebra, a
geometry, a copy of Ldvy, and several
ether books, which spoke Of college
course.
For three days later, at his college in a
country town more than hundred miles
away, Tom Sargent intended TO make his
first appearance as learned sophomore.
"Just to think" he said to himself, Its
only three days now, and then I'll see all
the fellows. Won't we have some pow
vows And won't we dig into the old
classics and mathematics And he gave
a ooyish shuttle on the floor to give vent
to his delight
Just then he heard a step below his
window, and, looking out, he saw his faith
why. father 80 cried Tom. suddenly.
did you walk all the way home p"
"Yes"
Why, where's TopsyY'
Topsy was Mr.. SarEeant's little black
horse that he had for years, and now that
he was getting old and growing heavier
and more bulky as age crept on he had
done but little walking In his business
about town, but made Topsy his invari-
able companion.
where's Topsy, father2'' asked Tom
again.
"well, Tom, said his father LAYING
down his knife and fork, Sc suppose I've
sold Topsy."
sold Topsy.' cried Tom. did you
know it, mother 3"
But his mothers face was answer
enough
why. what for, father ?" Tom con-
tinued sold Topsy, And the new
buggy you bought last year to make your
driving easy: have you sold that. too 2'
Yes, I've practically sold them both.
The bargain isn't really closed. but Joe
Watson has taken them to try to-day. and
If his offers fair l shall take it,
why, father said Tom. in a remon-
strative tone, as he brushed back his stiff
hair. Why, your business keeps You
travelling between your shop and the folks
who work for you all the time. You
can't walk all that much. 80
q must cut down expenses" said Mr..
Sergeant. Il ran behind last year.
There's no other way"
Nothing more was said
After dinner Tom went up to his room
again and sat down on a corner of the
trunk
ToPsy COLL! And the buggy sold. It
did not seem possible. And TO think Of
his father, far from being vigorous now.
yet forced to plod about continually over
the rough roads.
The backs Of the grammers anl lexi-
cons smiling up al him from the trunk.
made him uncomfortable.
He rose and shut down the cover Of
he trunk, and stool for a long time with
lis hands in his pockets. leoking out Of
he window.
There was a very pretty Iandscaue OF
-reen pastures and woodland outside. but
rom saw nothing Of it. His eyes seemed
% he fixed on some far-away place be
-ond the HORIZON.
After aNvasis ae tHrue5 and began pac-
ng The room. Iacn lac paused by his
runk and opcaed it again, and again
ooked iu. What pleasant suggestions it
.fered, what promises il held ont.
The room WIS small and plain. and
'om was by uo maausa good-looking boy.
But such boys arc sometimes the heroes.
nd such rooms the battle grounds OF
ontests which make no noise in the
World. and which yet demanded as much
duck and character in the victor as has
many famous contest for d Kingdom and
crown.
Tom continued his walking to and fro
n the little room. whistlinE now and
hen. and from time to t1ma throwing
imself iu a chair restlessiy.
The afternoon wore away. The sun
ropped till It seemed to rest an instant
n peak which Tom could see from his
-indow, and the room suddenly grew
ark.
The change seemed to rouse Tom to
ecision. He put on his hat and mo-
lent later was walking toward the center
{ the town.
The next morning when breakfast was