Middletown transcript., 1898-09-17
ERNEsT's BICYCLE.

At these words, the agent, Mr..
Standsh, looked up from his paper
with some curiosity. He saw before
him neatly-dressed la of about Il
years, with look of determination on
his handsome boyish face.
"What is your manner" asked the
agent.
"Ernest Rutherford"
so, you are Rutherf1rd's son
Yes" he added, after referring to
big book at his elbow, ''his premium is
due to-day. I. is jus, S25."
"Here it is, SIR" said Ernest, hand
ing him the sum mentioned.
"What Does your father trust you
with SO much money! You are quite a
man of business" and the agent
smiled kindly at Ernest, who blushed
little, but said nothing.
He folded the receipt which Mr..
Standish handed him and placed it
carefully in the inside pocket Of his
coat. AS he turned to leave the room
he paused, hesitated little, then said
with some embarrassment: "If you
please, sir, don't say anything to my
father about this. It's to be sur
prise"
ga surprisep' echoed the agent.
"Didn't your father send you?"
mo, sir; he doesn't know I'm here. "
"Then where did you get the
money!" asked the agent rather sharp
ly.
The boy eolored, for he felt the tone
and knew what it meant. He drew
himself up proudly and said, II
earned it myself, every penny of it."
swell, 1 declare ~ exclaimed the
agent. "You are the kind of boy I
like to see. Any father would be
lucky to have such surprise as this.
Good-luck to you, my lad. You'll
make the right kind of a record.''
About year and a half previous to
this tims, Ernest had asked his father
for bicycle, but Mr.. Rutherford,
though, as foreman in one Of the great
machine shops of the town, he was
earning large Salary, did not feel that
be could spare the money just then,
for he had just built handsome new
house for his family and was paying
for it 10 annual installments, which
took the greater part of his savings.
Ernest was greatly disappointed,
but, after little, he made up his mind
that he would earn the money himse If
by doing odd jobs out of school hours.
He was one Of those boys that, when
be determined to do thing, did it;
so now be went TO work in earnest.
He did not stop to think whether he
would like it or not, but did any job
that came in his way. He went on
errands, carried papers, distributed
hand bills, made himself useful in gar
dens and stables, and, all through the
long cold winter months, he earned
half dollar week by sweeping out a
young lawyers office, and building his
fires for him. 1t was not easy. He
had to give up many an hours play for
his work. But when, just the day be-
fore, he had earned the last quarter
needed to complete the sum, and $35
in shining gold and silver coin, lay
spread out on the table before him,
every penny of it earned by himself, he
was very proud and happy boy. The
next day, for it was now even ing, he
would 60 down town and fetch home
the wheel be had long ago selected.
As he sat thinking of its beauty and
its many good qualities, sound
reached him from the room adjoining
which made him hold his breath aad
listen. 1t sounded like someone cry
ing softly. "Poor mother ~ said En-
nest to himself, sorrowfulIy. "She is
crying about baby's DEATH" The sweet
little baby sister had died about three
months ago, and since then his mother
had not seemed like bemself. She was
always kind and gentle. but SO sad;
and she seemed to grow paler and thin.
ner every day. Perhaps. too, she was
worried about the strike. which had
lasted four month already. All that
time the shops had been closed, his
father thrown out of employment.
Ernest, the eldest of the four remain
ing children, had felt these misfor.
tunes and had tried in his boyish way
to comfort his parents; but perhaps he
was too young to realize fully the depth
of their suffering.
But now, as he heard his mot hers
sobs, he felt small and mean sitting
there thinking only Of his own pleas
ure. What had be ever done to help
his parents, who were always 80 kind
and loving to him. He put the money
back in the box that had held it and
stole softly out Of the room. Some
how the thought of his bicycle had no
more pleasure for him. He went out
on the street, walked soberly along for
several blocks, then came back, look
ing very much troubled. It was get
ting dark but the lamps were not yet
lighted. There was no one in the sit |
tiBg-room' so he threw himself down
On the couch, and, being very tired, |
soon fell into a doze, Presently he |
heard voices, and opening his eyes
'leepily. he saw his father and mother |
sitting in the fading light, and talking |
10 low tones. They did not seem to
notice him, and be was too sleepy to
move, so he lay still.
"Yes,'' Mr.. Rutherford was saying, |
this strike is miserable business. and
The loss Of my salary Is not the only