The Bamberg herald. [volume] (Bamberg, S.C.) 1891-1972, 1901-05-02
And now came a long time of lying

And now came long time of lying
still, waiting for the injured ankle to
grow strong This was new expert
ence for Reuben the hardest he had
known. But for Courtenay's sake he
tried to make light of it and keep a
cheerful face though it seemed as II all
his dreams and hopes were hanging IN
the balance. The doctor would not an
swer ior the result unless the injured
foot had perfect rest for an indefinite
time-a sober outlook for boy with
Reuben's plans: and. in spite of his ef-
forts. he grew dull and listless. and lost
the elasticity so necessary for speedy
recovery.
Courtenay's remorse and uneasiness
were increased by this state of affairs.
One evening, as he stood by Reuben's
sofa. he said:
There's no use denying it; you have
something on your mind. young man,
and YOU must tell me what it is
Reuben could not easily tell his
plans. even to so kind a friend as
Courtenay had proved: but. having
made a beginning. it was relief to go
on. and he told all, from his boyish
dream of an education down to the
present moment. not omitting the loss
of the $50.
80 that is all that troubles you"
said Courtenay. Why, that is mat
ter that a stroke of a pen can set
right. l was afraid it was something
serious"
But l don't want to borrow an
swered Reuben. 1T is easy and inter-
esting laying up for by and by. but a
debt fastened round your neck is a
different thing
Courtenay sat down by Reuben.
Nobody said anything about bor-
rowing" he said. But you are just 60
ing to college as soon as you can pos
sibly fit; and you are going to be man
enough to let me help you, and throw
your scruples to the winds. You know
why you are lying here. You are some
thing to me-"
In few days a college tutor took
up his residence in the house; and.
when he had examined into Reuben's S
acuuirements. he said there would be
no difficulty about getting ready by Oc-
tober. Greatly to Reubens satisfac-
ton, the doctor thought the ankle
would be strong by that time if all
went we'll
So Reuben worked on his sofa in
gocJ cheer. The hope and will that
had been wanting before were now
thoroughly awake. and from the day
OF his opening his heart to Ccurtenay
he seemed a new creature.
One sultry afternoon in August, MIR.
Brown appeared at the Courtenay cot
tage. He had with him queer bundle
wrapped in a newspaper, which he
handed Reuben, saying:
Perhaps you can throw some light
on this. | can't. was harvesting po-
tatoes this morning and found this
in one hill. it doesn't belong to any
variety that I'm acquainted with, and
| brought it over as curiosity to
show you.
And there in a nest of potato root
lets lay the lost pocketbook. With
eager fingers Reuben opened it. The
stout leather had guarded the treasure
we'll. Discolored and damp the bills
certainly were. but quite recognizable
and fit for redemption.
Game out very we'll this time. Reub,
and no mistake. said Mr.. Brown,
when he had heard the story of the
loss. But l wouldn't risk it again.
Next time you have $50 to take care Of,
| wouldn't deposit it in the potato field,
for the chances are you might not al
ways be so lucky
Courtenay walked down the avenue
with Mr.. Brown as he went away, and
they spoke together of Reuben's plans.
I'm glad you're going to give him a
lift" said Mr.. Brown. It'll save time
for him: but ReuD would have done it
himself somehow. It's in him. When he
once made up his mind twas never any
sort of use to contend with him; wheth-
er twas tough stump in pasture or
a contrary horse or what not, he never
gave up till he'd mastered it. I've seen
considerable many sorts Of boys in my
time he concluded, "and Reub is the
sort that gets there. You mark my
words, the world will near from Reub
one of these days" ."-Christian Regis
ter.