San Marcos free press. [volume] (San Marcos, Tex.) 1877-1892, 1886-12-16
TOMS SOPHOMORE YEAR.
Dy CHARLES STEWART.

ny CHARLES STEWART.
Tom stood in the middle OF the room with
J his hands in his pockets, and whistling soft
ly, looking about him.
IL was a plain little room Just under the
roof, but Il had been Toms room ever
since he had had one Of his own, and he
was attached to it,
But In day or two, 10 he was saying "a
himself he was TO leave It for nearly year.
There, near the head of tho bed, stood his
trunk-a funny old trunk that had belong
cd to his grandfather, and was covered with
hairy hide fastened with brass nails.
He had Just been packing IL, and glance
ut its contents told where ho was going tu
spend the coming year.
For besides his clothing might be seen
green covered Latin and Greek grammara,
leathern- bound lexicons, an algebra, ge'
ometry, q copy Of Livy, and several other
books which spoke of college course.
For three days later, at his college in a
country town, more than hundred miles
away, Tom Sargent intended to make his
first appearance as q learned Sophomore.
Just to think!" he said to himself. Its
only three days now, and then I'll see oil
the fellows. Won't we have some pow
vows? Aud won't we dig into the old clas.
sizes and mathematics" and he gave boy
ish shuttle on the floor to give vent to his
delight.
Just then he heard step below his win
dow. and looking out, he saw his father en-
tering tho yard on foot.
"Why, father" cried Tom suddenly. "Did
you walk all the way homer"
"Yes."
"Why, where's Topsy?"
Topsy was Mr.. Sargent's little black horse
that he had had for years, and now that he
was getting old, and growing heavier and
more bulky rs age crept on, he had done
but little walking in his business about
town, but made Topsy his invariable COM
panion.
"where's Topsy, father?" asked Tom
again.
'"Well, Tom" said his. father, laying
down his knife and fork, 81 suppose I've
sold Topsy."
"sold Topsy!" cried Tom. "Did you
know it, mother"
But his mothers face was answer enough.
"Why, what for, father9" Tom continued
'Sold Topsy! And the new buggy you
bought last year, to make your driving
easy; have you sold that, too2"
''Yes, I've practically sold them both.
The bargain isn't really closed, but Joe Wat
son has taken them to try to-day, and if his
offers fair, shall take it."
"why, father" said Tom, in a remon-
stratng 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 that much"
~ must cut down expenses" said Mr..
Sargent. '''ve run behind this year.
There's no other way"
Nothing more was said.
After dinner Tom went up to his room
again, and sat down on q corner of the
trunk.
Topsy sold! And tho 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 aud lexicons,
smiling up at him from the trunk, made
him uncomfortable.
He rose, and shut down the cover of the
trunk and stood for n long time with his
hands in his pockets, looking out OF the
window.
There was very pretty landscape of
green UhStuTeS inu Wooulthu ouIouo, ous
Tom saw nothing of it. His eyes seemed
to be fixed on some far-away place beyond
the horizon.
After while he turned and began to
pace the room. Then he paused by his
trunk, and opened it again, and looked in.
What pleasant suggestions it offered, what
promises it held out!
The room was small and plain, and Tom
H., n f,nn1 lnpEinfr how Ruf
such boys are sometimes the heroes, and
such rooms the battle grounds of contests
which make no noise in the world. and
which yet demand as much pluck and char
acter in the victor, as has many famous
contest for kingdom anu q crown.
Tom continued his walking to and fro in
the little room, whistling now and then, and
from time to time, throwing himself into o
chair restlessly.
The afternoon wore away. The sun
dropped till il seemed to rest an instant on
a peak which Tom could see from his win
dow, and then the room suddenly grew
dark.
The change seemed to rouse Tom to n
decision. He put on his hat and q moment
later was walking toward the center of the
town.
Inc next UlOTulUH, WUeu Natb
ready, Tom was not on hand. But just as
his father and mother were beginning to
wonder where he could be, what should
they see but Tom. driving Topsy up to the
door. and hitching her to the post.
Tom" said his father as he came in,
"what does this mean?"
"It means you're going to keep Topsy, |
sir" answered Tom, going up 10 his father. |
and putting a hand on ench shoulder,
Father, I've thought IL ali over, and I've
decided not to 60 back to college this year.
but stay at home and work. That will be
enough saving. so that you can keep the |
horse and buggy, and I'll lay up what ]
earn, aud pay my own way when / go back |
10 college next year. I'm young enough |
10 wait. So you mustn't say a word. I'd
n.her do IL. and il won't hurt me a Bit"
And it didn't hurt Tom. When his So
phomore year did begin, he was better able
10 appreciate the worth Of the studies. He 1
was happy. too, in knowing that his pleas
ire and profit were gained without sub
racting from those Of others.
Major John Henry Brown, the
mayor OF Dallas, writes TO the Pear
all News as follows: / read in your
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