Thomas County cat. [volume] (Colby, Kan.) 1885-1891, 1886-04-29
ALBERT'S GEOGRAPHY.
Tho Brave and Determined Manner in
Which He Earned 1t.


My young hero was only a 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 Il farmers son, he had
a great many chores to do in the early
winter mornings, and it was 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 I'M
usual mood. He was wide-awake.
cheerful little body, with 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.
81 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 it?''
The child half turned. as if he had
!, heard voice, but no words.
lyon haven't got into any trouble at
school, trust, Alberto"
'No, indeed, sir! We've got the
best teacher that ever was. But, on,
father''-and now the boys tongue
went fast enough they've introduced
a 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, father?n
I'm afraid not, my son. 1t would
cost more money than could afford to
spare just now. I'm sorry to deny you.
but be good boy and do your best,
and next winter wen see."
Poor Albert! 1t was long time to
wait, bat he was well-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 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 otherfeed 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 a luncheon of doughnuts and
cheese?"
"A luncheon! Why, where are you
,going2 It's almost sunset"
I'm going to Portland, Dolly"
ITO Portiand!" echoed Dolly, again.
"'That is Il likely story"
''But am. Dolly" persisted the boy.
eagerly. I'm going to Portland with
a 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. know the way, and
I'm not bit afraid. Dolly"
''Who put this idea into your head?"
Nobody, planned it all out my
self"
but it's so cold. and you are such
little fellow. Why, it is quite an UNI
dertaking for father. What do you
want to GO for. any way?'
-'It's the geography, Dolly. Iwant
it, need it, and l am dete rmined to
have il. 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 l might |
have al could get for it; but it S no
use to 60 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 l come back. mind you, 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"
WELL" answered Dolly, looking
down anxiously on the brave little
man, cit doesn't seem safe. and l am
afraid father will blame me for letting
you go; but, if go you will. go you
must I'll help you all / can, but l
shall be worried enough till you come
back"
So the kind sister wrapped the little
fellow as warmly as she could. brought
out his thickest mittens. tied up his
ears, got him an ample lunch. and
saw him set off about sunset on his
long night journey-her own heart
very heavy, though his was high with
hope.