Republican news item. [volume] (Laport, Pa.) 1896-19??, 1901-09-26
WHEN SAM FOUND HIS COURAGE.
By ELIZABETH L.
By ELIZABETH L. GOULD.

~N~NwNN~NNNNNaNNO
back. Sam III say to him. Sam, I'm
glad to see you back, Sam; and, Sam,
I've had a nice morning under the
trees, Sam | reckon the oItener l
say it for spell, the easier it'll come
III practice it off and on the rest e
the morning to keep my hand in," sal
Uncle Hiram, wisely.
Sammy's thoughts, as he hurried
down the road that led to the Lapham
house, were not very comforting.
I'm nothing but what the children
call fraid cat that's all | am" he
said, bitterly. Amy other boy would
speak up to the judge and make him
remember, and perhaps get q chance.
Uncle Hiram minds. too He's hardly
talked about the old war-times, when
he was drummer-boy and got ms
wounds, once, for the last week. He'd
rather be in an attic in Boston ard
know | was working my way up thar
to stay here in Moorby; there's nobo ly
here he cares enough about to make
him want to stay. And | might earn
chair before long. While mother livet
| couldn't go, but now | could
Mrs. Lapham's house laced the south.
and as Sammy entered the yard ~
looked for Mrs. Lapham's smile at tn,
window of the room where all her
days were spent.
She had been bedridden for ten
years; the old sitting-room of her early
married life had been changed to her
bedroom, and every morning before
Mr.. Lapham started for his Harness
and Shoe Shop" he dragged the bed
close to the window. All passers-by
were used TO the sight of Mrs. Lap
hams pale face propped into view by
many pillows, and her thimbie tapped
many summons to enter On the low
est right-hand pane.
There was no face at the window
that morning. although, as Sammy
drew close to the house, he could see
that the bed was in its usual place
AS he stood a moment irresolutely at
the turn where the path branched of.
toward the woodshed, a man hailed
him from a passing cart, saying:
"HuAo Sammy. How's business with
you these days?'
Fair" returned the boy. soberly
adding under his breath. Il wish peo-
pie wouldn't call me Sammy! It's
such baby name!'
There came a tap at the window as
the cart ratified out of sight, and SAM
my turned quickly to see Mrs. Lap.
hams face, white and drawn, at tie
pane
why, she looked as if she was cry
ing" said the boy to himself, startled
out of thoughts about his own troubles,
as he entered the house.
There was no longer any doubt in
his mind when he stood in the door
way and saw the invalid's great dark
eyes.
Sammy" she cried. in a high.
strained voice. The men are at work
in the judges meadow. and he's there
with EN- They're going to cut down
all my willows and my old apple-trse,
sammy! John Roberts is there with
'em. superintending under the judge.
tapped him in this morning just after
Mr.. I.apham had gone, and he told me.
Why. Sammy, it seems as If those
trees belonged to me! My view'll he
all spoiled. and it's everything | have
to look at, that meadow is, Sammy"
"Yes'm, | know" said the boy, with
quick sympathy Il suppose ne thinks
the meadowll be better will out the
~
bear much of any fruit. He doesn't
realize about you, Mrs. Laphalr, the
Judge doesn't don't believe he even
knows about you. You see he's only
here in the summer. and he doesn't
see much of us village people" added
Sammy, gently. Its an awful p.ly
Mrs. Lapham."
IF lie knew" said the invalid crush
ing her handkerchief between her
clasped hands, "if he knew. do you
suppose he'd leave the apple-tree
Sammy Look! Here's where / see
the buds on that long branch first;
and then the blossoms come, all whit
and pink, and then the apples. And
/ the branches are lovely even VIII T.
liSs lC bolC, anu Scu ifho" ioW liicy
shine in the snow and ice. I've shown
you so often The road is so narrow
how can the judge help knowing about
me, Sammy? And the willows slime
so in the sun after a rain! | shall be
gone before they could grow high
enough for me to see them again"
Sammy's face flushed curious red
in streaks.
Il will go and tell the Judge about it,
Mrs. Lapham, he said.
Even -tongued people hesitatcl
to ask favors lightly of Judge Saun-
| ders. who was counted just but by no
means benevolent. Fear and excite
| ment choked together in Sammys