The Milan exchange. (Milan, Gibson County, Tenn.) 1874-1978, 1886-05-01
ALBERT'S G BIOGRAPHY.
The Brave and Determined Manner in
Which He Earned Ii.

My young nero was only a lau OF thlr-
teen when the incident occurred of
which am going to tell you. His
name was Albert, and he lived in
pleasant farming town in the State of
Maine. Being q farmer son, he had
a 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 I'M
usual mood. He was q 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 cozy, 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.
Il 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, l trust, AlbertP'
"No, indeed, sir! We've got the
best teacher that ever was. But, oh,
father" and now the boys tongue
went fast enough-''they' 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 l could
have one, sir! You know I've been
through my old one so many times, l
know it all by heart. Can not l have
one, fathers"
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 a good boy and do your best,
and next winter we'll seeh
Poor Albert! 1t was long time to
wait, but 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, a little later, his father and
mother went away for q 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 a 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 hC
was going to do.
dolly" he began, won't you please
put me up luncheon of doughnuts anC
cheese?"
"a luncheon! Why, where are you
going2 It's almost sunset"
I'm going to Portland, Dolly"
"To Portlandr' echoed Dolly, again
"That is likely story"
"But am, Dolly" persisted the boy
eagerly. I'm going to Portland will
load of wood"
care you crazy, AlbertP Why, it il
twenty miles to Portland, and you know
you would have to be out all night.
IL don't care for that 1t isn't goin!
to be very dark. know the way, anC
I'm not a bit afraid, Dolly"
"Who put this idea into your headP
Nobody, 1 planned it all out my
self"
"But it's so cold, and you are such
little fellow. Why, it is quite an un
dertaking for father. What do yol
want to 20 for, any way"
ats the geography, Dolly. l wan
it, need it, and l am determined t
have it. ltn be all right about tn
wood, you know. Father told me las
week that if I'd a mind to carry loa,
down to the Corner and sell it Nigh
have all could get for it, but it's n
use to go now, shouldn't get my geog
raphy nor any money, either, mos
likely. I'm Just going straight t
Portland with my load Of wood, an
when come back, mind you, / sha
bring my GEOGRAPHIC. Come, Dolly
don't hinder me, that's a good cir
Put me up my luncheon, and let m
get off rs soon as | can. "
"Well,n answered Dolly, lookin
down anxiously on the brave littI
man, cit doesn't seem safe, and ] al
afraid father will blame me for lettn