The Jasper weekly courier. [volume] (Jasper, Ind.) 1858-1922, 1901-09-06
When Sam Found His Courage.



nVOr know what the Judge told you
at the 'cademy exhibition, Sam.
n.y." said Hiram Lane. slowly,
his eye fixed on the boy stretched
on the grass near him. lie
said ii you ever wanted to leave
Mcorby to let him know; that
he'd like to do something for boy
with such a good brain and a head for
figures. Those we're his words. sam
my"
Tie boys thin face flushed as he
turned 10 look at his uncle, and he
spoke with nervous quickness:
Hes forgotten all about me long
before tits. Uncle Hiram. Why, that
school exhibition was two years ago
last June, and the judge didn't come
20 Moorby last summer. you know
should bc afraid to go and ask any
favor Of him"
Il wish you hadn't such n bas,Iful
streak in you, sammy" said Uncle HI
ram. looking down at the boy with
half-rcproachful. wholly affectionate
smile. You're just like your poor
pa a letter man never lived, but he
wasn't built 10 get on in this world,
and he didn't get on. / was hoping
YOU might have little more push
than your pa. Sammy. along with his
goodness. Now your mas gone, |
could lie moved anywhere; or ] could
be put in the county farm. Sammy. il
50 i seemed best for you 10 strike
cut to the city alone. I'm nothing but
helpless old hulk. anyway"
Don't you say that again. Uncle Hi.
ram. Don't you dare to-" cried the
10y. ferccly, springing to his feet. and
rushing like whirlwind upon the fig
ure in the old armchair. "Arn't Won
al I've got in the world that belongs
to me? Do yon suppose I'd go away
and leave YOU for the town TO take
care orr Id deserve TO be hung,-
"sho. now. Sammy" said the occu-
nant 81 the armchair. gently. as ne
saw the hot tears in the boys eyes.
we haven't got anything but each
other. either of us; but here I am.
lame 20 I'm no good TO stir about;
hands an knotted up with rhcumafics.
50 can't use EN-, and you lust 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
1iu yon earn last week. sammy"
my three dollars. Uncle Hiram"
answered the boy, slowly. .You know
ny work is always slack after the sum.
mer people have gone. The JUDGE and
III iamiiy are going next week. Their
"''eu sirl told me TO have Mr.. Sar-
Isn't make out the milk bill. When
went there yesterday morning the
gNugc was sitting on the side piazza.
PVT AZ didn't know met
wv you make your manners to
A''a' a.d give him a good look az YOU.
.-'ll'iy asked the uncle. anxiously.
inlsirust you kind of half-turned
lAr head away. or maybe the sun
was in his eyes,"
TOOK of my cap the best / knew
row. said Sammy; but he barely
nodded TO me- He wasn't reading or
anything. either"
Maybe he was calculating in his
lead suggested Mr.. Lane, quickly
eahcny UP at the boy, and then
.NeFting his eyes. "You recall how
n TOLD YOU he used to love to do those
mental sums, same as you did at the
eAhioition, Sammy?"
me boy shook his head. and stood
~ moment looking across the fields
~ 70 the hill on which stood the
,1ages house. its windows cleaning
7 'sht IN the morning sun.
!, 40, he's just forgotten me, Uncle
ran that's all, he said. after few
.o'ncnts of silence. I'm just one of
4 ~ country boys to him, and / guess
~ al ever shall be. He's the on
one that could give me n chance.
M" ! must run over to Mrs. Lapham's
~ nnsh piling her wood. Will you
~ mere and read till I come back mt
lay" a'u w." -
lou II find me sitting in my castle,
INC as YOU see me now said Mr..
~. 80 cheerlly. ''pay my respects to
- Lapham. and tell her / wish
IN could get out TO enjoy
- beautiful weather, but 1 al
;ays think OF what slightly
=" SO has from that south window