The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1885-08-19
TOMS SOPHOMORE YEAR,
BY CHARLES STEWART.

Tom stood in the middle of the room with
his hands in his pockets, and whistling soft
ly, 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 at
tached to it.
But in a 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-a funny old trunk that had belonged
to his grandfather, and was covered with
hairy hide fastened with brass nails.
He had just been packing it. and glance
at lis contents told where 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, geom-
etry, copy of Livy, and several other books
which spoke of a college course.
For three days later, at his college i'm
country town more than hundred miles
away. Tom Sargent intended to make his
first appearance as a learned sophomore
''Just TO thinkl'' he said to himself. Its
Orly three days now, and then I'll see all the
fellows. Won't we have some pow-wows?
And won't we dig into the old classics and
mathematics And he gave a bOyish shuttle
on the floor to give vent 10 his delight.
Just then he heard a step below his win
dow. and looking out, he saw his father en-
tering the yard on foot.
"Nhy, fatherl'' cried Tom suddenly. did
you walk all the way home?''
YES"
"Why, where's Topsy?'
Topsy was Mr.. Sargeants little black horse
that he had for years, and now that he was
getting old, and growing heavier and more
bulky as age crept OK. he had done but little
walking in his business about town. but
made TOpsy his inyariable companion.
Where's Topsy, father" asked Tom
well. Tom said his father, laying down
his knife and fork, II suppose I've sold
Topsy.i
sold Topsy!" cried Tom. did you know
it, mother"
But mis- mothers face was answer enough.
ssWhy. what for father%' Tom continued.
t'SOld Topsy. And the new buggy you
bought last year to make your driving easy;
have you sold that toO?'
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 / shall take IL"
"Why, father" said Tom in a remoastrat-
i've 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 all
that much
81 must cut down expenses" said Mr..
Sargent. 1--WE run behind this last year.
There's no other way"
Nothing more was said.
After dinner Tom went up 10 his room
again. and sat down on 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, yet forced TO
plod about continually over the rough roads.
The backs Of the grammars and lexic0ns,
smiling up at him from the trunk, made him
uncomfortable.
He rose and shut down the cover of the
trunk, and stood for long time with his
hands in his pockets, looking out OF the win
dow.
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 tar away place beyond the
horizon.
After while he turned and began pacing
the room. Then he paused by his trunk and
opened il again, and again looked in. What
pleasant suggestions il offered, what prom
ises il held out
The room was small and plain, and Tom