The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1891-02-28

The laundress came in.
"Have you Master Charles room ready"
he asked her.
''Yes, sir, replied the laundress.
"a blazing fire, sheets well aired, and
all that?''
ayes, sir.
"Ah, very well. 1 think you can go
home now"
'Thank you, sir. Good night.
When the laundress had withdrawn the
old lawyer once more gave himself up to
reflection.
"Yes," he said TO himself, after a little
pause, otis just as we'll things are going
well with me, or Charles demands would
come rather heavy. Last year he spent
plenty, in all conscience, but it was nothing
to this year. Well, well; 1 suppose it can't
be helped. When 1 sent him to Oxford |
told him to get into the best set there: and
he has done it; and, living among them, L
suppose he must live like them.
Again the old lawyer relapsed into 81
lence and reflection.
"Yes," he said again, after a long pause.
"Yes, his intimacy with some Of those
young fellows should be of much service to
him hereafter. Such friends as Lord
Eustace Eustace and the Hon. Fred. Ter
rington must be useful to a lad beginning
life. Belonging to good set at Oxford
will bring him into good set in London.
What start in life the boy has? Brought
up at the best school and college in Eng
land mixing as an equal with the sons OF
millionaires and noblemen, and backed by
an income of thousands year, what may
he not aspire to! What might not have
been if | had such start | began life
without a shilling and without friend,
and here I am, at sixty, at the top OF my
profession, with fortune saved and seat
in Parliament. What might | not have
been if had begun with education, posi-
ton, and wealth to assist me By heav-
ems, I'd have been before this the first man
in England p
The Sergeant, in his excitement, rose to
his feet and paced the room for some mo-
ments.
"Ah, well, well, he said, as he reseated
himself, 'if l was too heavily handicapped
to win the highest honors Charlie will do
that for me- In his path there are none
of the obstacles which impeded me. All
is open before him; he has only to go In
and win. | have borne the burden and
heat of the day. Ay, he little knows how
heavy that burden was, how have tolled'
and struggled, and hoped when everything
seemed against me until my brain ached
and my heart grew sick. All it's no easy
task for a poor, unlettered, friendless man
to conquer learning and fortune. But |
did ibid it by labor, suffering, and self
denial-and now to him l look for my re-
ward. 1t is his part to win for our name
tie rank and honors that age is coming to
prevent my winning"
After this little Grafton Sergeant Stronge
once more gave himself up to silent re-
Election. He had continued silent and
motionless for some time, when another
terrific blast attracted his attention.
"Wel, this is wild night he muttered.
at is nearly time Charlie was here-tlme
altogether" he added, as he looked at the
great old clock in the corner. 81 wish he
had arrived. There's no danger, | know,
but still one cannot help feeling gjust little
uneasy on such night as this. | wish
the boy had arrived.
Sergeant Stronge rose to his feet and
began to pace the room restlessly. He
was feeling little anxious. The time at
which his son was to arrive had come, anC
as vet there was no sign of him.
He continued pacing the room for som'
time. Again he looked at the clock. L
was now considerably past the appointed
hour. but still there was no sign Of th'
boys coming. Every moment the Ser
geants uneasiness was becoming greater.
"What can be OBTAINING him ?" he ex
claimed. anxiously. II wonder can any
thing have happened to him? He is not
as a rule, unpunctual, and tonight, as HI
knows I'm awaiting him, he would be NOR
than usually particular to be in time,
t can't understand it. wish he were here.
l Just then another terrific blast struc
e against the windows and made them rattl
, wildly in their firm sashes, 1t sent shive
e through Sergeant Stronges frame and file
him with an indefinite feeling of appr,
: hension.
!; 81 wish to goodness l knew where b
$ is p he said, despondingly.
o He had scarcely spoken when he heal
d knock at the door.
5 "Thank Heaven" he muttered in IT
e lieved tone; "there he is at last.
= Hurrying away he opened the doc
if When he did so he stepped back in su
prise The person at the door was not
N son Charlie, but his nephew Jack Whyt
% 'Why, Jack p the Sergeant exclaime
v angry at the disappointment "Wh
lie brings you here at this hour of the night
as 'sLet me in, sir" answered Jack.
as have come about Charlie.
lis "About Charlie !" repeated the startl
lawyer, turning very pale. "There's moi
er ing wrong with him Hes not il"
aNo, sir, he's not i'll" replied Jack l
fl aos;lv stT,et me in. sir. and I'll tell V