Waterbury Democrat., 1901-08-31
. When Sam poaad HiS Courage. ]:
By EIizaoetl, L. Gould.

nVoU know what the judge told you at the 'ca-leaiy exhibition, Sam my" said Hiram Lane, slowly, his eye fixed or the boy stretched ons the grass near him. '.He said if you eyer wanted to leave Moorby to let him know; that he'd like to do something for a boy with such good brain and a head for figures. Those were his words, Sam my"
 The boys thin face flushed as he turned to look at his uncle, and he spoke with nervous quickness:
 He's forgotten all about me long before this, Uncle Hiram. Why, that school exhibition was two years ago last June, and the judge didn't come to Moorby last ssinmcr, you know. I should be afraid to go and ask any favor of him.
 "I wish you hadn't such bashful streak in you. sammy" said Uncle Hi ram, looking down at the boy with a half-reproachful wholly affcctionate smile. ttYou're just like your. poor pa. A better man never lived, but he wasn't built to get on in this world, and he didn't get on. was hoping you might have a little more push than your pa, Sammy, along with his goodness. Now your mas gone, could be moved anywhere; or could be put in the county farm, Sammy, if so it seemed best for you to strike put to the city alone. I'm nothing but a helpless old hulk, anyway"
 Don't you say that again, Uncle Hi raml Don't you dare to!" cried the boy, fercely, springing to his feet. and rushing like whirlwind upon the fig ure in the old armchair. 'Arn't you all I've got in the world that belongs to me? Do you suppose I'd go away and leave you for the town to take care of? I'd deserve to be hungl"
 ''Sho, now, Sammy!" said the occu- pant of the armchsir, gently, as he saw the hot tears in the boys eyes. '.We haven't got anything but each other, either of us; but here I am, lame so I'm no good to stir about; hands all knotted up with rheumatics, so can't use 'em, and you just spend ing your days distributing milk, and saving and splitting, which any boy with no such head for figures as you've got could do full as well. How much did you earn last week. Sammy?'
 s.Only three dollars, Uncle Hiram" answered the boy, slowly. ''You know my work is always slack after the sum- mer people have gone. The judge and his family are going next week. Their hired girl told me to have Mir. Sar- gent make out the milk bill. When I went there yesterday morning the judge was sitting on the side piazza, but he didn't know me-"
 Did you make your manners to him, and give him good look at you, Sammy2" asked the uncle, anxiously. 'sI mistrust you kind of half-turned y0tira head away, or maybe the sdh was in his eyes. .''YoI lf hae
 @I took of my cap the best knew how,'' said Sammy; but he barely nodded to me. He wasn't reading or anything, either"
 Maybe he was calculating in his head" suggested Mir. Lane, quickly glancing up at the boy, and then averting his eyes. 'You recall how he told you he used to love to do those mental sums, same as you did at the exhibition, Sammy"
 The boy shook his head, and stood for moment looking across the fields up to the hill on which stood the judges house, its windows gleaming ; bright in the morning sun.
 No, he's just forgotten me, Uncle Hiram. that's all,'' he said, after a few moments of silence. "I'm just one of the country boys to him, and guess that's all ever shall be. He's the on ly one that could give me chance. Now must run over to Mrs. Lapham's and finish piling her wood. Will you stay here and read till come back at noon? The sun's good and warm to- day.
 You'll find me sitting in my castle, same as you see me now," said MT. Lane, cheerily. 'Pay my respects to Mrs. Lapham, and tell her I wish she could get out to enjoy this beautiful weather, but I al- ways think of what slightly view she has from that south window of hers. took special note of it that day of the town celebration when I rode past the house, three years back"
 The cheery smile fingered on Uncle Hiram's face till the boy was we'll out of sight beyond the turn in the road. and then it gave place to a look oi patient pain.
 He'd counted on the judges know ing him." said the crippled man, turn ing his head wearily against the sofl old cusion- "I know it just as we'll al if he'd said so, If the judge hac shown signs of remembering him sammy would have plucked up ccur age to ask him if there was any chance for him down below. Don't l know how he's kept at his study evenings when he's been most toe tired to sit up? Seventeen years olo i last week, and going to be hived ul ls here all winter, and only Just carr enough to keep us a-goingl" Mr. Lane pounded on the ground with his erutch in excitement. and scared away a>squirrel which was or journey to a neighboring elm- ~Poor little creatur. didn't mean fo fright you,p said Uncle Hiram, re gretfully. @but I just recollected that Enrusnw ne1xpf me if Ts1 @,a11 na EOp4,