Maryland independent. [volume] (Port Tobacco, Md.) 1874-current, 1901-05-17

| get sot on anything, there aln't nc
I peace for i'm nowhere; but. mind
you, Roxanna. you and Kitty'il have
to go without gimcracks while he is
gone. It'll be a long, steady pull, |
give you fair warning, for eddication
costs like the dickens. No use OF you
thinkin of carpets or bedroom sets fol-
the next four years"
"All right, father" Mrs. Grimshaw
responded, glad smile on her face;
well promise not to poster you for
anything, Kitty and |, that we can pos
sibly do without"
Nathan was almost too happy to eat
or sleep when he learned that at last
he was to have his hearts desire, and
he went about in a maze of delight
which so irritated his father that he
would have revoked his decision had
been in the habit of going back on his
word.
You must be nice to your pa. and
willing to help him when he is doing
so much for you" urged Mrs. Grim
shaw. anxlously. as she stitched away
on his college outfit, which advice Ma
than honestly tried to follow. with but
Indifferent results. Nathan was un
mistakably Nathan. in spite OF his
grateful desire to help
The house was strangely silent and
lonely after he left, and even his
father wore lost. dazed look.
Il had no idee I'd miss him so, he
said one day as he caught his wife
/ crying behind her gingham apron by
the pantry door It's been on my ton
gue's end to call him to do something
for me dozen times since he's beer
gone"
THE fact is that Nathan has been {
great deal more help to you than yor
were willing to give him credit for
and | am glad you are beginning tc
sense it," replied the mother with re
pruachful spirit.
Four years of sacrifice followed Ma
than's advent into college life. Hav
/ ing put his hand to the plow Mfr
Grimshaw had no intention of turning
back. though it seemed to him that
Nathans demands for money were
both exorbitant and useless at times
and especially in the last year of his
course.
Mate will he ashamed Of his old
daddy when be gets home" he re
marked, as he surveyed his best suit
ruefully
Never you mind. father. will ink
the seams and pare of the fringe, and
if Nate dares TO be ashamed, we will
chuck him into it. and give you his
graduating suit" cried Kitty ut will
fit YOU nicely with a rufiie on the bot
tom Of the trousers
Nathan was coming home next week
with title attached to his name, and
the girl was almost wild with delight
Professor Of bugology" farmer
Gray said scornfully. But the neigh
horhood had never admired Nathan
and still less now. sporting a mus
tache and a slender cane.
With all his faults Nathan had a
heart, and he was shocked when he
looked about the house and noticed
the worn and faded condition of things
the braided mat which covered the
patch in the parlor carpet, Kittys hat
in its third season of use, and his
fathers best suit. pathetic contrast
to his own.
His thin lirs came together with de
cision as he saw further signals ol
sacrifice scattered all over the farm
but said little.
1t was not his habit to boast, OIL
promise prematurely.
What on airth are they good for?'
Nathan was showing large and care
fully classified collection OF botanica
specimens, at which his father looked
obviously. He pursed his lips also in
a depreciatory way ss Nathan exhibit
ed his collection of specimens in nat
ural history. 1T is the most valuable
collection in the state. Prof Saylol
says that. and he is authority"
1T won't buy nothin', and | don't
see no sense in sticking poor, harm
less little critters on pins that way
returned Mr. Grimshaw. with an incon
venient recollection that one of his
best cows had gone to pay for the
cases.
I'm sure they look real pretty ex
claimed Kitty Nathan has been tell
ing me all about them. and would
like to go to college myself.
You would like TO go, tco, wouldn't
you. mother?r retorted Mr.. Grimshaw
with good-natured sarcasm. Pd bet
ter get out of here before get tc
hankering after an eddieation myself.
His eyes opened wide a few weeks
later, as Nathan came to him with q
letter. offering him a position as teach
er of natural science at a salary
which seemed to his father simply
amazing.
Good land, boy. accept it quick
afore they have a chance to back down
on It," he cried. THAT will pay better
than running bugs on pins. l reckon
Running bugs on pins isn't such
bad business. either. father" replied
Nathan. producing another letter af
ter a moments hesitation.
q did not intend to tell you until
they were gone. but have had an Of
fer for my collection"
Great Jiminy!" exclaimed Mr.
Grimshaw, as he read the letter, "col
iege folks must be crazier than looms
| wouldn't give IS for the whole pack
let alone $780,
Because you do not understand
their value" Nathan replied, with nat
ural triumph you have made many
sacrifices for me. !" he added. with mod
est gratitude. but. after all, father.
think it will pay"
1t did pay Deacon Grimshav
I ceased to be an object of pity among
his neighbors. and begun to allude t,
my son. Professor Grimshaw." witt
a pardonable pride. Little by littl'
the heme vas modernized and refur
nished, and the farm provided will
every help which modern science
could supply.
I When in after years the old peopl'
gave up the active labor OF life. it wa
Nathan upon whom they leaned fo
advice. Nathan who supplied then
! with luxuries and pleasures which
they otherwise could not have enjoyed
and Kitty. now a happy matron in !