The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1896-11-14

tucked under his arm, he ran across
John Bowyer carrying milk buckets to
his mothers customers.
"Hello, John" he cried. "Why have
you cut SCHOOL,"
II can't get off," said John, little
sullenly. "There's no end Of work to dc
at home, and Easton has gone to take q
place at Oakridge."
There seemed nothing more to be
said; but Horace still blocked his way
frowning at the milk-cans dumbly. John
did not offer to pass. He was gazing
for his part, at the much-abused covers
of the books Horace had under his arm
while fresh pang of regret seized him
How he longed to be back in the men.
tai stir and contest and activity OF
school life! But there was no use think
ing about it.
Horace, however, had been thinking
about it. II say. john" he broke out
suddenly, why couldn't 1 come around
tolerably early and help you through in
time for school? / certainly am worth
as much as that small fry, Easton."
Johns face flushed. He would have
liked to know how to say something Of
all he felt; but there was only an indis-
tinct murmur that sounded like "a reg
ular BRICK" which did not seem to have
much connection with either school or
milk.carrying. And, his hands being
pre-occupied with milk-cans, he could
not even make dumb show of graft
tude.
But Horace seemed satisfied. "All
right" he said, setting out at brisk
pace to make up for idling. "Pll be on
hand to morrow morning."
l suppose this old day." as Horace
had scornfully said. went by like all
other "old days." l am sure some les
sons were said and some missed. lam
sure the shadows veered from the morn
ing hills, and gathered over the eastern
slopes; that the sun went down behind
House Mountain, as usual, and the stars
came out in the same places. Never
theless, if Horace could have had a
prophets vision while his head was on
the pillow, he would have seen this des-
pissed day walking down the years,
crowned as benefactor to great mum.
bers of his fellow men.
He did see it so at last; but it was
looking back then, and not forward.
There came day when great reform
swept over the land, one that closed
hundreds of saloons, put down untold
wickedness and helped Horace Fem
toms community to take a great stride
toward righteousness. Horace was in
the movement, Of course.-a married
man now, with boys of his own; but he
was not at the head Of it. No: he JOY
fully followed the gifted leader of his
party, John Bowyer, whom all his Eel.
low citizens delighted to honor.
And one day, at a grand rally, some
scattering speaker, having lost his moor
ings. began to talk about turning
points in ones life." He was not talk
ing to much purpose, and he had talked
long enough, when Voice in the crowd
cried out, "Bowyer, tell us what was the
turning point in you life!" The present
incumbent won his laurels by retiring
gracefully, and presently they got the
hero of the day on the platform.
1.-THE turning -point?" he said, looking
in searching way over the audience.
"There is fellow somewhere among
you, with gray streaks in his hair, who
could answer that question. Ask him
from me if he remembers the corner of
Upshur Street and Dennis Avenue,
where two boys stood one spring morn.
ing, one with pile of books, on his way
to school, the other. with look that
might have soured his milk. turning his
back on the school-house because he
had to cut wood and carry milk and
feed COWS. Ask him if he remembers
that. from that time Oh, two boys went
to school because there we're two to split
wood. carry milk, and feed the COVE.
All! Mr.. Bondurant. there he is! Please
turn around and shake hands with that
old fellow behind you,-Horace Fenton.
gentlemen"
What shouts, what hurrahs, what
cheers! The little Fenton boys went
wild with delight; and, of all their
fathers stories of old times, the one
they now call for oftenest is that of the
day when he met John Bowyer at the
corner of Upshur Street and Dennis
Avenue, with the milk buckets in his
two hande.-Zion's Herald.
THE PARLIAMENT or Rims