Freeland tribune. (Freeland, Pa.) 1888-1921, 1901-07-01
fact that he never had interested him.

| self in his sons researches, except on
one occasion when a fine crop of
choice peas had been saved by Ma
than's study of the insect pest which
infested it. He had patiently picked
every infected leaf, destroying them
with better results than at the time
of the potato bug affair. and his father
had really given him credit for sense
and perseverance.
well, father. you know you don't
| give Nathan much except scolding
when he tries to talk to you about the
things he likes" Mrs. Grimshaw said,
reproachfully.
well, we'll. there Is no other way
as l see but to send him to school"
exclaimed Mr.. Grimshaw, in an injured
tone. when q mans wimmin folks
| get sot on anything, there amt no
| peace for i'm nowhere; but. mind
you, RoxaDna. you and Kitty'll have
| to go without gimcracks while he Is
| gone. It'll be a long, steady pull,
| give you fair warning, for eddication
costs like the dickens. No use of you
thinkin' of carpets or bedroom sets for
| the next four years."
"All right, father" Mrs. Grimshaw
responded, glad smile on her face;
"well promise net to poster you for
anything, Kitty and |, that we can pos
sibly do without"
Nathan was almost too happy to eat
| or sleep when he learned that at last
he was to have his hearts desire. and
he went about in a maze of delight
which SO irritated his father that he
would have revoked his decision had
been in the habit Of going back on his
word.
You must be nice to your pa and
willing to help him when he is doing
so much for you," urged Mrs. Grim
shaw, anxiously. as she stitched away
on his college outfit. which advice Ma
than honestly tried to follow. with but
Indifferent results. Nathan was un-
mistakably Nathan. in spite Of his
grateful desire to help.
The house was strangely silent and
lonely after he left, and even his
father wore a lost, daZed look.
II had no idee I'd miss him So" he
said one day as he caught his wife
crying behind her gingham apron by
the pantry door. It's been on my ton
gues end to call him to do something
for me a dozen times since he's been
gone"
"The fact is that Nathan has been a
great deal more help to you than you
were willing to give him credit for,
and l am glad you are beginning to
sense it," replied the mother with re-
proachful spirit.
Four years of sacrifice followed Ma
than's advent into college life. Hav-
ing put his hand to the plow, Mr..
Grimshaw had no intention of turning
back, though 1t seemed to him that
Nathan's demands for money were
both exorbitant and useless at times,
and especially in the last year of his
course.
Mate will be ashamed of his old
daddy when he gets home" he re-
marked, as he surveyed his best suit
ruefully.
Never you mind, father. I will ink
the seams and pare off the fringe, and
il Nate dares to be ashamed, We will
chuck him into it. and give you his
graduating suit" cried Kitty. ''It will
fit you nicely with a ruflle on the bot
tom of the trousers"
Nathan was coming home next week
with title attached to his name, and
the girl was almost wild with delight.
professor of bugology," farmer
Gray said scornfully. But the neigh
IoI o1, hnth
and still less now. sporting a mus
tache and slender cane.
With all his faults Nathan had a
heart, and he was shocked when he
looked about the house and noticed
the worn and faded condition Of things,
the braided mat which covered the
patch in the parlor carpet, Kitty's hat
in it's third season of use, and his
fathers best suit. pathetic contrast
to his own.
His thin lips came together with de-
cision as he saw further signals of
sacrifice scattered all over the farm,
but said little.
1t was not his habit to boast. or
promise prematurely.
what on airth are they good for?"
Nathan was showing large and care
fully classified collection of botanical
specimens, at which his father looked
obviously. He pursed his lips also in
depreciatory way as Nathan exhibit
ed his collection of specimens in nat
ural history. at is the most valuable
collection in the state. Prof. Saylor
says that. and he is authority"
"It won't buy nothin', and l don't
see no sense in sticking poor, harm
less little critters on pins that way"
returned Mr.. Grimshaw, with anincon-
venient recollection that one of his
best cows had gone to pay for the
cases.
I'm sure they look real pretty" ex-
claimed Kitty. Nathan has been tell
ing me all about them, and l would
like to go to college myself"
"You would like to go, too, wouldn't
you, mcther?" retorted M. Grimshaw,
with good-natured sarcasm. 'I'd bet