Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1886-10-02

but only wall ana you snail see
Sailors are made from such rs he,
IN very sure that he will be
An admiral ut last
-Wdttdce Il. MdtIier, in st. Nicholas.
How lie Won 1t.
1t was more than seventy years ago.
My young hero was only lad of Ii
when the incident occurred of which I
am going to tell you. His name was
Albert, and he lived in pleasant
farming town in the State of Maine.
Being farmers son, he had a great
many chores to do in the early winter
mornings, and it was long walk of
terward to the district school; but he
loved his books dearly, and was always
on hand in good season, with lessons
well learned the night before.
One stormy afternoon, soon after the
beginning of the winter term, he came
home from school in a somewhat I'M
usual mood. He was q wide-awake,
cheerful little body, with very merry
laugh; ard his mother looked up in
surprise when, instead of her sons
breezy entrance, Master Albert came
quietly into the great old-fashioned
kitchen, so warm and so coy, so queer
and so quaint, and walked thoughtful
ly up to the glorious open fire that was
dancing gleefully on the broad hearth,
and seemed to be doing its best to
leap bodily up through the wide old
chimney.
81 hope nothing has gone wrong at
school," thought his good mother, as
she went softly to and fro through the
old-time room, in preparation for the
savory evening NEAL and the father,
who was watching his little sons face
from the other side of the hearth,
broke the silence at last with the
words:
well, my boy, you seem to have
some weighty subject on your mind to.
night. " hat is it?"
The child halfturned, as if he had
heard voice, but no words.
You haven't got into any trouble al
school, I trust, Alberto"
mo, indeed, sir! We've got the best
teacher that ever was. But, oh, father"
and now the boys tongue went fast
enough, they've introduced grand
new geography into the school this
term-a great beauty of book, W til
pictures, and as interesting as it can be,
and-and-I so wish | could have one,
sir. You know I've been through my
old one so many times I know it all by
heart. Can l have one, father?"
"I'm afraid not, my son. 1t would
cost more money than 1 could afford to
spare just now. I'm sorry to deny you,
but be good boy and do your best, and
and next winter we'll see."
Poor Albert! 1t was long time to
wait, but he was a wcll-trained boy, and
did not annoy his father with teasing.
Still, he could not forget that splendid
new geography, any more than you
could forget about Christmas or the
Fourth of July. He thought about
the book by day and dreamed about it
by night. By and by plan came to
him; and when, little later, his
father and mother went away for n
short visit, he put his plan into action
First, he went into the woods, and
chopped and chopped, until he had
enough cord-wood to make handsome
load. Then he went home and got old
Star and Bright and hauled the wood
out to the road, loaded it up in good
shape, brought hay and other feed for
the oxen, put them on the top of tho
load, and then ran home to tell his Sis
ter what he was going to do.
Dolly he began, won't you please
put me up q luncheon of doughnuts
and cheese?"
"a luncheon? Why, where are you
going? It's almost sunset"
I'm going to Portland, Dolly"
"To Portland!" echoed Dolly, again.
"That's likely story"
"But 1 am, Dolly" persisted the boy,
eagerly. I'm going to Portland with
load of wood"
Are you crazy, Albert? Why, it is
twenty miles to Portland, and you
know you would have to be out all
night"
Il don't care for that. 1t isn't going
to be very dark. 1 know the way, and
Pm not a bit afraid, Dolly"
"Who put this idea into your head ?"
Nobody. Iplanned it all out my
SELF"
But it's so cold, and you are such a
little fellow. Why, it is quite an UNI
dertaking for father. What do you
want to go for, anyway?"
cts the geography, Dolly. I want
it, need it, and am determined to
have it. It'll be all right about the
wood, you know. Father told me last
week that if I'd mind to carry load
down to the Corner and sell it, I might
have all could get for it; but it's no
use to go now. I shouldn't get my
geography, nor any money, either, most
likely. Pm just going straight to Port
land with my load of wood; and, when
come back, mind you, shall bring
my geography. Come, Dolly, don't
hinder me, that's good girl. Put ms
up my luncheon, and let me get off az
soon as 1 can."
"Well," answered Dolly, looking
down anxiously on the brave little man,
sit doesn't seem safe, and 1 am afraid