Barre evening telegram. (Barre, Vt.) 1898-19??, 1901-04-26

open and nothing 70 be done Out u ~
on with the farm work and give up the
college course altogether.
That was month after his fathers
death. Three months afterward at
Christmas time, as he was at work In
the barn mending some harness, Ed
ward Blake had new idea come to
him. He had brooded over the break
ing up Of his ambitions and had grown
not only more serious, but more gloomy
as winter went on. He suddenly rose
to his feet on this particular afternoon,
and, throwing the harness down on the
floor, he went into the house. His
mother and sister We're at work there,
Freeda preparing to get the evening
meal.
"Mother," said Edward as he came
in, 81 want to talk with you and Free
da about going to college,"
His mother paused in the work she
was doing and looked at him In aston
ishment It was the first time he had
uttered a word since his fathers death
about college. She had taken for grant
ed, as he had that the college life was
q thing not to be thought Of any moro.
Il didn't mean about going myself"
continued Edward slowly, while his
face, which was somewhat dull in re-
pose, lighted up almost handsomely
with a smile. But what's the reason
Freeda can't go?'
Freeda, who was holding teacup,
almost dropped it on the stove, she was
SO startled by the unexpected. PROPOSE.
ton.
But how can L spare F'reeda from
the house? l need her to help about
the milk and butter and all the work."
"Of course" said Freeqa emphatical-
ly. Its out of the question. Ned. It's
foolish to think of it, Nevertheless
her brother noticed an excitement in
her manner that was not all negative.
ITS not impossible, Freeda." said
Edward doggedly. NOW, of course it's
out of the question for me to think OF
going. But mother had that letter
from Uncle Will the other day in
which he spoke of the probability that
he and aunt would come out here this
winter. If they should come, aunt
could help mother just as we'll as you
do"
"We don't know that they will come"
said Mrs Blake, looking doubtfully at
the children. She was going over the
long last talk she had had with her
husband, in which they had both ex-
pressed a great desire that their chill
dren might have college training.
81 believe uncle will come on this
winter. He needs this climate. He is
out of business and always liked a
farm. Mother, lets write and urge
him to come. Freeda ought to have a
chance. She is out of high school and
could enter the college in good shape.
Don't you want to go, Frecda?'
"Of course do exclaimed Freeda
impulsively. And then she paused and
after moment went into the pantry
to hide her emotions.
Il tell you, mother" said Edward in
low tone, Il wanted to kick myself
out in the barn this afternoon when l
walked up all Of Il sudden and realized
that | had been a hog all along about
wanting to go to college myself and
had never given Freeda a thought"
"Oh, no, Edward You don't need to
call YOURSELF
But do, mother, and want you to
tn nj ~,
go. She has worked here in the kitch-
en- faithfully long time. She has
scholarly tastes, and they ought to be
gratitied."
The mother was silent. Freeda came
out of the pantry, and her brother
went over to her and said: "Freeda,
tell the truth now. Didn't you cry
when l started off to college last Sep
tember?"
"Of course did" exclaimed Freeda.
How much Of it was on my &C.
count" asked Edward somewhat
bluntly.
"a good deal of it," persisted Freeda,
while her face Redeemed under her
brothers close look.
You're too truthful to be able to
hide it," he laughed. You know you
wanted to go to college yourself"
II won't deny it," confessed Freeda
humbly.
"Well, now it's your turn, and you've
got to Co." said Edward. And in spite
of his sisters protests and his mothers
misgivings he sat down that very even.
ing and wrote the uncle who had hint.
ed in a previous letter about coming to
them urging him to come and giving as
one OF the reasons why he wanted him
to come the opportunity it would give
t'reeda to go to college.
The result of this was that, almost
before Freeda knew it, she was pre-.
pairing herself to so to Hope college in
time to begin with the second term. 1t
was late, but she was well fitted fol
the years work and could enter then
under certain agreed conditions. The
uncle and aunt came on in January,
and to Edwards delight his aunt prov.
ed a very ready and helpful partner
with his mother In the daily work,
while his uncle rapidly regained his
health and In a few weeks was ready
~