The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1897-03-20


ly as now. His mother would not
have objected if he could have gone
to school, and near home, he said
over and over. Yet he could not for
get that his hero had remained at
home to please his mother when he
had been longing and waiting for
years for an opportunity to get a mil
itary training.
cts no use," he said at last,"I can't
get away from it. I've either got to
give in that haven't got the pluck
he had, or stay at home"
His hero's first battle was his, and
he won.
Soon after this, Uncle Rochester
sent an invitation to Stanley to come
to Boston and spend his vacation
with his cousins, three jolly boys.
Nothing could have been more to
Stanley's mind. He was seated at
the table studying his lessons for the
next day when his mother began to
read uncle Rochester's letter. He
gave shout when he heard the invi-
tation, and tossed his algebra and
philosophy into the air.
"Hurrah for Uncle Rochester and
Boston!"
Mrs. Hudson went on with the
reading of the letter.
"All the boys have bicycles" said
Stanley. Il will hire Judd Tenny to
let me learn on his, so can ride with
the boys in my vacation. There are
lot of fine trips around Boston, the
boys said when they were here last
summer. l say, Carl, won't it be-
Why, where's Carl? He was here
just minute ago."
Mrs. Hudson looked up at the va
cant chair. II was busy reading the
letter, did not see him go out. Per-
haps he has one of his headaches and
has gone to bed. He seemed unusu-
ally quiet this evening"
Stanley gathered up his books and
sat down at the table again, leaned
his head on his hand, and became
thoughtful.
Carl was frail little fellow, three
years younger than Stanley. Carl
had never been able to mingle with
the boys of his age on account of his
delicate health. Now and then one
of the boys came and spent quiet
hour with him, but he depended al
most wholly upon Stanley, who gen.
erously gave up good deal of his
play time to this weak little brother.
II suppose Carl will miss me-"
unused Stanley. "Yes, he will miss
me like everything. But he ought to
be willing, for l have never been to
Boston, and l don't get around any
way like other boys, l have to stay
by him so close"
When Stanley went to his room
that night, he found Carl in bed, APP
parently asleep, with his face turned
toward the wall.
The first thing in the morning
Stanley shouted: Wont l have a
tip-top time in Boston next March,
Carl?"
"Yes," said Carl, his voice much
muffled by the bedclothes, II expect
you will"
81 will have lots to tell you when l
get home. | will bring you home
something, too" said Stanley.
There was no answer to this, and
thinking Carl was still sleepy, he
jumped out of bed, and in about five
minutes somebody, a remarkably
lively somebody, was racing down
the stairs two or three steps as time
and shouting, Mother, may stop at
Judd's to night and practice on his
bicycle7"
Carl had his lessons at home, and
Stanley went off that morning with
out seeing him. But when he came
home that night Carl met him with
smiling face, though something in
the smile touched Stanley and made
him feel unusually gentle toward his
little brother.
81 have knocked myself black and
blue on that old BICYCLE said Stan
ley, making a comic face; 1T isn't
half so much fun learning as l
thought"
81 wish [ could ride bicycle" said
Carl, an eager look startins up in his
face and quickly dying down. He
had been told SO many times that he
was mot strong enough" when he
wished to take part in the delightful
p4stimes the other boys engaged in.
That evening they gathered as
usual about the parlor table, mother,
Stanley and Carl. Carl was looking
at book of "views;" he could not
read 10 the evening. Stanley studied
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