The Colfax chronicle. [volume] (Colfax, Grant Parish, La.) 1877-1981, 1886-07-17
ALBsRT's BOOK.

which He Earned 1t.
1t was more than seventy years ago.
My young hero was only lad of thir-
teen when the incident occurred of
which l am going to tell you. His
name was Albert, and he lived in a
pleasant farming town in the State Of
Maine. Being farmers son, he had
great many chores to do in the early
winter mornings, and it was a long
walk, afterward, 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 UNI
usual mood. He was a wide-awake.
cheerful little body, with a very merry
laugh, and 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 thought
fully 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.
~ hope nothing has gone wrong at
school, thought his good mother, as
she went softly to and fro through the
oid-time room, in preparation for the
savory evening meal; 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, tonight
What is itp"
The child half turned, as if he had
heard a voice, but no words.
"You haven't got into any trouble at
school, trust, Albert?"
"No, indeed, sirl We've got the
best teacher that ever was But, oh,
fathern-and now the boys tongue
went fast enough-''they've introduced
q grand new geography into the school
this term-a great beauty of book.
with 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, l
know it all by heart. Can not / have
one, fatherP''
I'm afraid not, my son. 1t would
cost more money than could afford to
spare just now. I'm sorry odeny you.
but be good boy and do your best,
and next winter we'll see."
Poor Albert! 1t was long time to
wait, but he was awell-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 at
night. BY and by plan came to him,
and when, little later, his father and
mother went away for a short visit, he
put this 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 in good shape,
brought hay and other feed for the oxen,
put them on the top of the load, and
then ran home to tell his sister what he
was going to do.
dolly" he began, won't you please
put me up luncheon of doughnuts and
cheesep"
"A luncheon! Why, where are you
goingf It's almost sunset"
s.I'm going to Portland, Dolly
ITO Portland!" echoed Dolly, again.
THAT is likely story"
''But am, Dolly" persisted the boy,
eagerly. I'm going to Portland with
q load of wood. ="
Are you crazy, Albert? Why, it is
twenty miles to Portland, and you know
you would have to DE out all night.
II don't care for that. 1t isn't going
to be very dark. / know the way, and
I'm not bit afraid. Dolly"
"Who put this idea into your headw
Nobody, planned it all out my
SELF
"But IT'S so cold. and you are such
little fellow. Why, it is quite an I'M
dertaking for father. What do you
want to 60 for, any wayP"
"It's the geography, Dolly. want
it, need it, and l am determined to
have it. lt'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 / might
have all could get for it; but it's no
use to go now, shouldn't get my geog-
raphy nor any money, either, most
likely. I'm just going straight to
Portland with my load of wood, and
when come back, mind you, 1 shall
bring my geography. Come, Dolly,
don't hinder me, that's good girl.
Put me up my luncheon, and let me
get off as soon as can"
s.Well," answered Dolly, looking
down anxiously on the brave little
man, at doesn't seem safe, and am
afraid father will blame me for letting
you go; but, il 60 you win, go you
must. I'll help you all / can, but I