The Prince George's enquirer and southern Maryland advertiser. (Upper Marlborough, Md.) 1882-1925, 1901-03-15
a STORY FROM LIFE.

the neighbors, and everybody who
knew him, had q word to say in his IA
vor, and looked upon his parents as a
couple to be envied that they had such
boy.
He was not only kind and obedient
to them, but was remarkably bright
and cheerful as well. He was popu-
lar among his teachers and school
mates both in the Sabbath and secu-
lar schools. No word of complaint of
James brought sorrow to the folks at
home. He was so reliable and trust
worthy that he came to be held up as
an example for other boys to initiate.
His father was farmer His we'll
titled acres, his iirc herd Of COWS and
sleek horses, his carefully preserved
machinery, and the neat appearance of
fences and buildings all went to prove
that only Industrious hands were at
the helm, but steady, thoughtful
brain was directing the affairs Of the
farm.
James grew up in an atmosphere OF
thrift, through not Of great wealth.
His people were in that condition OF
"neither poverty nor riches" which
perhaps is the happiest state of man,
and best adapted to training boys and
girls into honorable and useful men
and women.
The household was an intelligent
one; books, magazines and papers
were lying around; conversation was
mainly on thoughtful subjects; and
friends and companions were chosen,
no: for their great wealth and high po-
sitions, but for their sterling character
and solid worth. 1t was modest
cheerful, country home, type of many
that existed q half century ago.
James was the only son, and men
who had no children, and those of great
wealth, were heard to say, "They
would give all they owned if they only
had one boy like him."
A high valuation is set upon duti.
ful son, especially by those whose own
wayward boys lead them a restless
life of worrlment and sorrow.
AS the boy grew towards manhood
it began to be talked around that he
was cut out for some higher position
some easier, better paying occupation
than farming. People asked farmer
Perry what he inteded to make of his
boy? And they would ask the lad
what profession he thought Of taking
up? The idea was constantly before
him that he could do better than walk
in the path of his father. The princi
pals of academies and presidents oil
colleges began to put in bids tor him
and made the case plain one, to the
undeyeloped mind of youth, that
they held the key that was to open the
way to ease and affluence. They
would lead him into fresh pastures
and feed him with the mental food with.
out which he could not succeed any.
where.
So he began to clamor to be sent
away for higher education. His
father said, "Therc is private school
over in the village; it has first class
man at the head of it, try that. By
so doing you can remain with us and
not lose foothold of home. 1t is q
better school than | ever attended
teachers more branches, costs more
money" The boy consented, and as
the months rolled by word reached the
parents in various ways of his sue
cesses and promotions. 1t was all
praise and no censure. Then he was
urged with immoderate zeal, by edu
Gators, to continue his studies in the
college or university. The father, in
spite Of his better Judgment, which
would have made an intelligent, indie
pentent farmer Of his son, yielded to
his desire for a higher scholarship
which the professional gentlemen bad
instilled in him, and mortgaged his
farm that he might be able to send hin
to college; and he and his wife Went
into pinching economy and hard toll il
the hope that it would be for the best
ard that some day he would repay
| them, and make their old days happy
This failacious reasoning has brought
many Il family to grief, and robbed the
business of agriculture of many Of its
! brightest minds.
James Perry made his mark in the
higher seat Of learning. just as he had
done in the nearby schools. Through
his classmates, many OF the N he dear
ly loved, he was introduced into fam
lies of wealth and social distinction.
Itwas a new world for him, and it
was but human to be captivated by its
briliancy, as the moth often seeks the
glare of its own destruction. The old
homestead seemed cramped to him
the furniture and cookery that had
once satisfied every higher require.
ments. lie hated to see his mother
work so hard-his wife shouldn't do it
| He would select some business that
would support home in good style
without such toll for its mistress. Be,
fore he graduated he fell in love with
beautiful girl, who had never known
anything but luxury and ease. She