St. Landry democrat. (Opelousas, La.) 1878-1894, 1886-05-08

you 90; but, il go you will, 90 yoa
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-iourney-h own heart
very heavy, though his was high with
hope.
What a Journey that was for little
lad of thirteen! Just think OF it, boys.
To be out all night, and all alone, in
the heart of winter, on lonely road,
with only few scattered houses here
and there 1t was bitter cold, and AL
bert ran to keep his feet warm;
threshed his arms to keep his hands
from freezing; patted old Star and
Bright, and talked to them to keep
their courage up, and his own as we'll:
went over his school lessons, naming
every river and mountain and cape he
could recollect; repeated every line OF
poetry he had ever learned-and he had
learned a great number; even went
so far as to compose few stanzas,
which were not SO very bad; stopped
once on the way to feed and rest good
Star and Bright and eat his own
luncheon; and, finally, little after
sunrise safely reached the city of Port
land Here his load of wood was
speedily exchanged, at his own offer.
for copy of Morse's New Geography,
a rather high price to pay, to be sure,
even in those days, when wood was
cheap and books cost much; but Albert
cared little for this fact since the COW
eted geography was at last in his pos
session, and he felt far happier than a
king, as he turned his rosy, handsome
face homeward, bearing with him his
precious treasure.
Star and Bright Jared sumptuously at
his hands that night, and did not Al
bert enjoy his own nice supper, which
Dolly had prepared and kept hot and
in readiness for him. How he chat
tered as he ate it, in the dear old
kitchen, where the fire danced, if posi-
BILE, more exultantly than ever, and
sent its warm light over the dark red
walls, the snow white dresser, and the
rows of bright pewter plates and por-
ringers that were ranged on its shelves!
The next morning-well, if he did
feel a thrill of pride and satisfaction in
his happy, boyish heart, as he walked
up the aisle to his seat in the school
room, carrying in his hand the new
book, with its crisp, fragrant leaves.
and its attractive letterpress, who can
blame him? Every body was talking
about what he had done, and teacher
and school-mates alike gave him gen.
erous praise.
AS to his father, the good man criti-
cised little the boys transaction in a
business point of view, when he came
to hear the story; but he could not help
commanding the energy and spirit of
his little son, and he did so without
stint. AS to Albert, himself, he lived
and prospered. growing up to be a
most excellent man, q minister, and,
at one time, a Judge. He wrote verses
sometimes, too, a little more polished,
doubtless, than those he sent out ON the !,
stiffness of the winter night so long
ago, with only Star and Bright for
auditors. He reached good old age,
but never think, SO long as he lived,
did he fail to recall with pleasure the
circumstances under which he became
the delighted owner of copy of
Morse's New Geography.-A1ice Chad!
bourne. in Coasgregationatist.