Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1892-06-16
FRED MORT0N'S PLUCK,
How a Lad Met and Overcamo
Adversely.

strength and an hour later had been
brought back lifelcss The tree he was
telling had In some way caught aud
crushed him beneath its weight.
It was with a sad heart that the
mother returned with her tatherlcss
children from the grave TO tho seclusion
OF her modest home. She had no rel
atives; there was no one TO whom she
could rightfully turn for sympathy and
help. Long after Fred had gone to his
room, and Lettie, the fvc-year-oid pet
of the household, had lost her childish
sorrow in slumber, she sat before the
sitting-room fire thinking that dark us
the present was the future looked still
darker TO her.
Ten years before Edwin Morton had
come there with his wife aud boy, pay
ing down one thousand dollars towards
the farm, and giving mortgage for the
balance-a paltry sum, as II seemed to
him then, of five hundred dollars lie
had felt sure that three years. or four
at most, would see the farm all his own.
But Il had been the old story. There
had been sickness; the seasons had not
always been favorable; unexpected ex-
penses had come, and unexpected losses.
The neighbors declared that Edwin
Morton, though great worker, did not
have the faculty Of getting ahead. And
IL was certain that tho ten years had
como and gone, and now he had
- and not dollar Of the
n,o,t,o,s WINS paid. Moreover, the in
,cros, ,,,orld be due In few weeks, and
Mrs. Morton Guild thinl, OF no way to
pay IL. She was co.. 'adent also that inc
account at the village 'roeery Wou.u l
prove to be against them. H' 'n.r I,
might be several smaller accounts '.''
unsettled. So far as she could estimate,
1t would take three hundred dollars 10
meet her husbands indebtedness out
side of the mortgage on the farm. Her
own health was poor, and she could not
do more than her household duties.
Fred, It was true, though but sixteen
years old, was strong and willing, and
could earn something, but TO the
mother, In that hour OF darkness and
sorrow, that something seemed almost
nothing.
However, II the farm could be sold
for its real value, and all the debts
paid, there would still be something
left for herself and the children. But
how could she leave the roof that had
so long sheltered her, and had been so
dear to her husband?
Meanwhile Fred, who had gone TO
his room, had not gone 20 sleep. lie
had always been u quiet, thoughtful
boy, wise in many things beyond his
years. lie sat down by tho window
and thought over the sad events of the
last few days. II all seemed so strange,
so unreal, TO him. IL was 80 hard to
realize that he was fatheress. But at
lcngth his thoughts turned from him
self to his mother and little sister, and
he felt that he must care for them. lie
understood all about the debt on the
farm. He knew there were other bills,
including those incurred by his fathers
death, that must be paid soon.
After thinking for some minutes he
l,pelt by his bedside and asked God TO
show him what TO do. When he arose
and prepared for bed new look in his
eyes told OF a purpose already born in
his soul
The next morning Fred was up early,
and when Mrs. Morton entered the
kitchen the fire was burning brightly,
the coffee was made, and the chores at
the barn were done The youth greet
ed his mother tcndcrly, and hastcncd
with n quiet determination In every
action to assist her in the morning du-
ties.
A week passed, Fred had busted
himself about the farm and going to
the village rs crrands required. One
day he entered the house and said:
"Mother, Mr. Ford has got home.
saw him at the village to-day. lie
spoke 10 me about fathers death, and
baid he would call here tomorrow"
This Mr.. Ford was an old friend Of
the family, and held the mortgage on
the farm. A few days before Mr. Nor
toms death he had gone to New York
ON u business trip. II had been Mrs.
Morton's intention 10 call upon him AS
soon as she learned Of his return, and
consult with him concerning her hus-
bands affairs.
The next day, when Mr., Ford called,
Fred was repairing u fence, so Mrs.
Morton received him plonc. She told
him Of her hopes and fears, and then
spoke OF the one plan that seemed to be
open 10 her lie was silent a few min
utes, and then replied;
Certainly, Mrs Norton, this can be
done. What docs lrodth about it?'
~ have not mentioned IL to him yet
| could not bear TO speak TO lin about
it, he loves the farm So"
GLOW old is he?"
"Sixtccn."
~ would speak 10 him about II Mt
once" said the gentleman, thought
fully. "Such boy can be a great help,
II he chooses"
Fred was called In. lie listened as
Mr. Ford explained his mothers project,
and then said, quietly:
81 think, Mr.. Ford, there Is no need
Of selling the farm, II you are Ia no
hurry for the money father owed you"
My dear boy" instantly replied the
good man, you know have no idea Of
hurrying you about any money that
may be due mo. ! regret that cannot
afford 10 give you every dollar Of II,
The principal, however, can remain just
as IL Is, and the interest can be paid
when Il is convenient 20 you"
Then" continued Fred, ~ see no
reason, mother why we cannot stay
here on the farm. have thought IL all
over, and am sure we can manage 10
gct along found In fathers desk u
list Of the persons lac owed, and when
In the village the other day | asked
them how much money was due them.
find that, including the interest due
Mir Ford, we owe, outside the mort