Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1888-10-29


quilt was spread well-preserved, old
fashioned dress suit. 1t had been
his pride for the last forty years, and
was only donned on the highest occa-
sions. Alf wondered if grandfather
wearing it to the exhibition
on the morrow.
s'There, my son. said the old man,
folding down sleeve with trembling
hands, s'what do you think of wear
ing such a suit as this when you
speak your piece? l couldn't afford
to buy you anything at present-no,
not a fve-dollar ready-made coat;
but | have got this to lend you, pos
sibly to give you, is | see you treat 1T
keerful, and it's of the best of broad
cloth and make, for / bought it when
dollars were plentier with me than
cents are now. Into it, boy, and let
us see how it fits.
Poor Alf! How was he to disap-
point this simple heart that had part
ed for him with one of his dearest
possessions? The delight of grand
fathers kind old face was touching to
see.
81 had kinder expected to wear it
myself" said the old gentleman, $50
as to honor you little; but | can
honor you better by letting you wear
it. | studied out this question of
your dress some days ago, but con-
cluded to surprise you at the last
minute. Let US see if it will fit you.
How was Alf to say he would pre-
fer to wear his own clothes, were
they three times as shabby? He knew
the proposed suit would fit passably,
for he was now as tall as his grand
father. How he wished he had not
grown so during the last year.
1t did ft,to grandfather triumph /;
and, after succeeding in thanking
Mr.. Stuart, Alf stepped into the
kitchen to show Sue.
s'It is not bad, Alf,' said this lit
tie comforter. "It fits real we'll,
and isn't a bit worn.''
'sBut the ides. of dress suit, "
groaned Alf, and such a one -
81 don't believe any one will know
how old-fashioned it is way up on
the stage" said Sue. 81 remember
the last time that grandfather wore
it," she added lower. ''It was the
time he called on Deacon Spriggins
to get that 2000-dollar note
"And lost it coming home," said
Alf. 81 won't wear the things
"Well," said grandfather, entering,
s'doesn't he look well, Sue? Won t
you and l be proud of him? He de
serves it, a boy that has spent all his
money on his sister. 1t cut me to
think he would have to appear i'll
dressed by Judge Seymour's son and
the rest, when his blood is as good
as theirs,an that | could not help it ;
but this came into my head, and it is
all right, real providence. Keerful
of the coat-tails when you sit, Alfred.
God bless yov, boy. l shan't be as
proud of your looks as of your heart,
after all. =
How was it that Alfred said no
more about wearing his own suit
But he hardly thought it a provi-
dence.
The next afternoon by four o'clock
the exhibition was fairly started, and
it was time for the prize essay.
Schoolmaster Lyon had affirmed that
Alf's s'dress suit" would do very
we'll. but the boy was flushed and
nervous. He had slipped his manu-
script into his coat pocket, and for
cot to take it out before making his
bow. With further embarrassment
he sought for it, and drew forth
small folded paper. Everybody saw
him pale suddenly as he opened 1t,
then grow crimson and straighten up
like young pine. He sent one glad
lood at grandfather, and, with all
elf-consciousness lost, produced the
right paper, and read his essay with a
joyful ringing tone that made the au-
dience, as he had said, forget his
clothes, and some Of the young peo-
ple. in truth, had at first commenced
to find amusement in them. Judge
Seymour pounded with his gold-head-
ed cane at the close.
ga boy to be proud of, y he saio
to grandfather.
eyes, said old Mr.. Stuart, ''f
boy that gave up new coat for him
self, so he could buy his sister {
frock. He would have his common
clothes on if l hadn't told him tC
wear that dress suit of mine. Coco
boy, he was real reluctant about tax
ing it from me-
"So,'' said the judge, reading th'
reluctance better than grandfather
81 see he wore it, however W.
must look after this young fellow
He is worth something"
"Come home as quick as you can,
said Alf to Mr.. Stuart and Sue, th'
minute exhibition was over. And
taking the old mans arm he hurried
him rather faster than usual over tn
path.
SWhat can it be, Alf?" asked Sue
fastening to shut the kitchen door a
they entered their home, and futter
ing her rose-colored ribbons in excite
ment
II have found the 2000-dolla
nota ~ cold A1f holding mn the sill