The southern sentinel. (Winnfield, La.) 1883-1910, 1885-05-22
TOMS VICTORY OVER SELF.

Tom stood in the middle of the room,
with his hands in his pockets, and
whistling softly, looking about him. 1t
was plain little room just under the
roof, but it had been TOMS room ever
since he had had one of his own. and
he was attached to it. But in day or
two. so he was saying to himself. he
was to leave it for nearly year. There.
near the head of the bed, stood his
trunk, funny old trunk that had be-
longed to his grandfather, and was COW
cred with hairy hide fastened with brass
nails. He had just been packing it,
and a glance at its contents told where
he was going to spend the coming year.
For be sides his clothing might be seen
green-covered Latin and Greek gram
mars, leathern-bound lex;cons. an al
zebra, a geometry, a copy Of Livy, and
several other books which spoke OF
college course.
For three days latter, at his college
in a country town more than hundred
miles away, Tom Sargent intended
to make his appearance as learned
Sophomore Just to thinkm he said
to himself "It's only three days now,
and then I'll see all the fellows. Won't
we have some powwows? And won't
we dig into the old classics and math-
ematics?" and he gave boyish shuttle
on the floor to give vent to his delight.
just then he heard step below his win
dow, and looking out he saw his father
entering the yard on foot.
why, fatherr' cried Tom, suddenly.
"Did you walk all the way homer"
Yes
..Why, where's Topsy?"
Topsy was MIR. Sargent's little black
horse that he had had for years; and
now that he was getting old, and grow
ing heavier and more bulky as age
crept on. he had done but little walking
in his business about town. but made
Topsy his invariable companion.
"Where's Topsy, father?" asked Tom
again.
"Well. Tom," said his father, laying
down his knife and fork, II suppose
I've sold Topsy."
..Sold Topsy!'' cried Tom. Ibid you
know it, mother?"
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?',
Eyes, 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, shall take it,
"W...y, father" said Tom. in re-
monstrating tone, as he brushed back
his stiff hair. ''Why, your business
keeps you travelling between your shop
and the folks that work for you. all the
time. You can't walk that much"
II must cut down expenses" said
Mr.. Sargent. "Pve run behind. this
last year. There's no other way"
Nothing more was said.
After dinner Tom went up to his
room again, and sat down on q corner
of the trunk.
Topsy sold! And the buggy sold! 1t
did not seem possible. And to think OF
his father, far from being vigorous now,
vet forced to plod about continually
over the rough roads. The backs OF
the grammars and lexicons, smiling up
at him from the trunk, made him I'M
comfortable. He rose, and shut down
the cover of the trunk, and stood for q
long time with his hands in his pockets,
looking out of the window.
There was very pretty landscape Of
green pastures and woodland outside,
but Tom saw nothing of it. His eyes
seemed to be fixed on some far-away
place beyond the horizon. After 8
while he turned and began 10 pace the
room. Then he paused by his trunk
and opened it again. and booked in
What pleasant suggestions it offered
what promises it held out!
The room was small and plain. anG
Tom was by no means good-lookins
boy. But such boys ara sometimes thu
heroes, and such rooms the battle
grounds Of contests which make Nd
noise in the world, and which yet de
mand as much pluck and character IL
| the victor, as has many famous con
test for kingdom and crown. Ton
continued his walking to and fro in thu
little room, whistling now and then, ant
from time to time throwing himself init
q char restlessly.
The afternoon wore away. The SUI
dropped till it seemed to rest an instan
ON q peak which Tom could see from
his window, and then the room suddeul,
grew dark. The change seemed t
rouse Tom to decision. He put oil
his hat, and a moment later was walk
| ing toward the center of the town.
The next morning, when breakfas
was ready, Tom was not on hand. Blu
| Just as his father and mother were be
| ginning to wonder where he could be
what should they see but Tom, drivin,
Topsy up to the door, and hitching he
to the post.
ssTom." said his father. as he cam
n, ..what does this meana"
"It means you're going to kee
Topsy, sir" answered Tom. going up t
his father and putting hand on eacI
shoulder. Father. I've thought it al
over, and I've decided not to 60 back +
coslego this year. but to stay at HON
snA Woek. That win b enough ssv