The Banner-Democrat. [volume] (Lake Providence, East Carroll Parish, La.) 1892-current, 1901-06-15
THE
! FOOT OF THE LADDER.

IL LOOK you IWO hO a, 49,, |
COWS, and one of IN with pei, wv.
Cows are bigger than grass-noppers,
and I'll venture to say you iouno
enough of those"
Having a choice collection Oh puss y.
various sorts in his handkerchief at
that moment. Reub did not stop 10 ar
que the point. And, indeed no arsu-
ment that he could muster would
change his reputation for q needless.
laundering fellow. So looked Reuben
CLAW to the world; and how BOXED the
world TO Reuben. fatherlesa mother
less. fed and clothed by Mr. ana MRS.
Brown for charity's sake fili sucn
time as he could take care OF nlmseii!
Ever since he could remember, the
how had had an eager interest in every
thing that crept or few. Though his
geological tastes were frowend upon.
they throve under opposition, and
when one summer a college professor
came to the village and encountered
Reuben in some of his collecting ex-
cursions. Reub's vague wishes grew to
a resolve. Some day, II he lived, ne
would know birds and insefs as the
professor knew them; and az neces-
sary step to that end, he wiuld go 10
college.
After his district school lays were
-. p.uhon lived on at Mr. Browns,
helping in the regular farm WORK. anu
doing, besides, such odd 1ops as Ior-
tune sent in his way, layingup money
for the future, and reciting GreeK anu
Latin to Mr.. Alison, the Minister.
Reuben had had one cruil accident
that would have turned may boys IN
despair from the chosen pItn. On
spring morning he had goneln his boat
to the village to deposit thehrst $oo OF
his savings, and on the wayne iost MS
pocketbook. Whether he nd dropped
n in the water or eIsewhee, or some
clever thief had taken 1t Irm him. re-
NAMED a mystery. 1t was dlscourag-
ing work beginning at the loot OF the
ladder; but there was no ptner way.
Abandoning his purpose neer entered
his mind.
The years came and Wen, and Reu-
ben was IS, when one morning In June
to Mr.. Alison sitting in rs study, q
visitor was announced. Inthe parlol
he found a sunburned getleman II
white fiannels,t who held ot his hand
saying:
.T'm Lere, George; and Fe come tt
ask a favor Of you the firstthing. M!
coachman gave me the slirat the las
minute. Can't you tell me some ont
down here that would do?
And so 1t came to pass hat, almos
before he knew it Reubenwas estab
lished as coachman and gePral helpe
TO Mr.. Courtenay, owner ofhe beauti
full cottage on the hill, wo chances
10 he also a college friend,f Mr.. ALI
son.
HE is a boy with a ooeer befor
him. I think" Mr.. Alison bid said. H
had not told all Reub's sect. but ha
felt It right to say that heTas an OIL
pban. working nard for moey to staI
In life.
Reuben's skies had new been
bright. Courtenay took tl within
offer him exceptionally god wage
and he had large margins oieisure Il
study. What he liked best as gettin
to know Courrenay, who nd taken
liking to him, and let himen1oy Il
tie first time in his life Il famili'
companionship of gentienn. Som
times he felt as If Courtena were Il
wing him to speak of his fuire hope
but this he shrank from doif.
One morning they were It In Il
Yacht together. Reuben hadmprov'
wonderfully in his new life. He sto'
straighter and seemed moi man
than ever before, and there vs. ha
nier look on his face. As hetood
the mast in his blue yachtlnsuit, n
Courtenay looked at him wa SON
thing like envy.
"If I weren't so fond Of nself.
like to try being you for vile,'
said at last.
Reuben laughed.
"You'd soon get tired Of ! I'm
horn plodder, and shall be tthe g
of my days" :,
"Plodders sometimes come ut b
in the end" said Courtenay, stful
He sat silent for momenrwtth
look that suggested not entire che
full memories. Then he said rup'
my mother and sister are cong
morrow. We will meet the BIT.
with Dick?'
mo, with the pair. Whylo
ask"
eve have never tried the nehor
nm the steamboat wharf, but KIN
they are restless" Reuben awe
hesitatingly. II think Dick Wld
safer"
Courtenay was on the verge an
patient reply, but he suppresseit.
envy mother likes spiritehor
you and will be on the front 1t.
think we can manage the blks
tween us.
Clearly Reuben's only courswa
,bey. Morning came, ana the riti
Nv groomed horses were brous pr
,uaIlv TO the door. Courter
the reins, and the horses trott ST
llv over the road to the W.T.,
stood quietly while the steam sw
slowly up to the pier.
"You see they are lamn
Courtenay, as he handed 7 r
10 Reuben, and went to find I gu
He soon returned with the nes
put them into the carriage.
wll hold them while you IL ur
luggage" said Courtenay. ing
seat and handing the checifo
ben. :.
Reuben turned away and = o.
searching for the trunks, en
denly the shrill whistle of ST
boat sounded. With one nereai