Alpena weekly argus. [volume] (Alpena, Mich.) 1871-1893, 1892-06-08


something to earn money to release
the mortgage, They wished him to
teach, or take some other occupation
until their home was free, then, If he
desired, take up the study of law. But
he refused to listen to them, caring
only for himself. and intent only on
gratifying his own tastes.
Three years went by and the mort
gage became due, and there was no
money to meet II. Frank had not
earned dollar beyond what he had
spent for his own purposes, and Mr.
Golf had found IL difficult to meet fam
lily expenses since Mrs. Golf was un.
able to assist him. Boggess had called
for his money and expected prompt
payment Mr.. and Mrs Golf were sor-
rowful, as well they might be, for the
thought of losing their little home was
sad indeed.
surely Mr.. Borgess. will give us
little more time, Hiram" Mrs Golf
said, if you could only see him and
tell him that Frank will pay him as
soon as he can earn the money"
81 have seen him and ! told him all
that" Mr.. Golf replied, "but it did no
good He said that If Frank was maxi
ing any effort to pay off the debt he'd
waits but as It is he can't see any use
in IT, I've thought the matter over,
wife, and I'm afraid we made a mis-
take. I'm fearful Frank is going to be
disappointment to us. He has not
turned out as we expected he would"
mo, he has not, Hiram, 1t is true.
When the board offered him the school
here he should have taken it. II would
have delayed him only nine months in
his studies. and then the mortgage
would have been paid, and besides he
would have had some money extra"
Nellie, unnotioed in her corner, was
an interested listener to this converse
ton. Her parents gave her little Of
their condolences, and never before had
she received an intimation Of the peril
of the dear old home. She was shocked
by the knowledge she had gained Of
the situation, and she wished with her
whole heart that she had the power to
avert the terrible result that would In
evitably follow a failure to pay off the
debt.
"If could only do something to help
save the home" she thought. "If
could only earn money to help pay the
debt! But how can ~"
Then a thought flashed into her
mind, as if in answer to her earnest
prayer, and thrill of Joy born of hope
electrified her being. Going to her
father she spoke unhesitatingly and
confidently, saying:
"Pa, is the place offered Frank by the
school board still vacant?"
EYES," replied the father, looking up
in surprise. But what OF it?"
81 am going to see If they won't give
it to me-" Nellie answered, quietly.
ITO your" father apd mother ex-
claimed in chorus. Child, are you
crazyP" Mr.. Golf continued. "You
have never so much as finished COM
mon school education, and you cannot
expect to pass an examination"
II can try, PIP, and II fail shall not
be any the worse for it."
Nellie was thoroughly in earnest and
for once was not to be swerved from
her purpose. Without delay she re-
paired to the Office of the president of
the school board and in her modest
way made known the object of her
visit. The gentleman listened to her
respectfully, but his manner gave her
no encouragement, and when she had
completed her statement he simply
said:
81 should be glad to give you the
place but fear cannot We require
teacher who Is possessed of more than
ordinary education, and since you have
not so much rs completed common
school course am sure you would fail
TO pass an examination"
would you be willing to give me
the place If l had a certificatep" Nellie
asked.
Yes, think l would"
'Then shall try for it,
AS Nellie left the room the gentle
nan looked admiringly after her; then
with doubtful shake of his head
turned to his duties, soon forgetting
The scene that had just passed.
The day wore away and the shades
Of night were falling. Mr.. aud Mrs.
Golf sat in their accustomed places be-
fore the fire. both sad and detected.
AL day the thought that they must
give up their home and go forth TO seek
shelter under strangers roof had
weighed on them, and often the tears
welled up in their eyes and their hearts
had filled to bursting.
IF Frank only knew II Frank only
knew" the mother had repeated to her.
self time and again that day, and once
she spoke her thoughts aloud.
AYE, wife," the father said, sadly,
'if Frank only cared. He does know
but he don't care. He seems to have
forgotten u.s."
At last there came the sound of light,
rapid footsteps OH the walk without
and moment later the door opened
and Nellie entered. without word
she went to her father, and placing her
arms about him laid her head on his
shoulder and burst into tears. The
parents knew not what to make of such
conduct, and for moment looked at
each other in silent wonder. The
mother was the first to speak, saying:
ut is useless to feel disappointed,
Nellie, for you had no right to expect
anything but failure. 1t was very
foolish In you TO try for the school"
Eyes, foolish indeed" the father
agreed, land you ought not to have
Zone"
Nellie mastered her feelings a little,
end lifting her face, all radiant with
10y, cried:
"a f.n 4. u