Freeland tribune. (Freeland, Pa.) 1888-1921, 1901-05-31
THE
! FOOT OF THE LADDER ,

COWS, ana one Oh m WIN Dell, TOO.
Cows are bigger than grass-hoppers,
and I'll venture to say you found
enough of those"
Having a choice collection of bugs of
various sorts in his handkerchief at
that moment Reub did not stop to ar
que the point. And, indeed, no argu-
ment that he could muster would
change his reputation for needless,
laundering fellow. So looked Reuben
Clay to the world; and how looked the
world to Reuben. fatherless, mother
less, fed and clothed by Mr.. and Mrs.
Brown for charity's sake till such
time as he could take care OF himself?
Ever since he could remember, the
boy had had an eager interest in every
thing that crept or flew. Though his
geological tastes were frowend upon,
they throve under opposition, and
when one summer 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, if he lived, he
would know birds and insects as the
professor knew them; and as a neces-
sary step to that end, he would go to
college.
After his district school days were
over Reuben lived on at Mr.. Browns,
helping in the regular farm work, and
doing, besides, such odd jobs as for
tune sent in his way, laying up money
for the future, and reciting Greek and
Latin to Mr.. Alison, the minister.
Reuben had had one cruel accident
that would have turned many boys in
despair from the chosen path. On a
spring morning he had gone in his boat
to the village to deposit the first $50 of
his savings, and on the way he lost his
pocketbook. Whether he had dropped
it in the water or elsewhere, or some
clever thief had taken it IRON him, re
mained a mystery. 1t was discourage
ing work beginning at the foot of the
ladder; but there was no other way.
Abandoning his purpose never entered
his mind.
The years came and went, and Reu-
ben was Is, when one morning in June,
to Mr.. Alison sitting in his study, a
visitor was announced. In the parlor
he found sunburned gentleman in
white fannels, who held out his hand,
saying:
I'm here, George; and I've come to
ask favor of you the first thing. My
coachman gave me the slip at the last
minute. Can't you tell me of some one
down here that would do?"
And so it came to pass that, almost
before he knew it Reuben was estab-
lished as coachman and general helper
to Mr.. Courtenay, owner of the beauti-
full cottage on the hill, who chanced
to be also a college friend of Mr.. Ali
son.
He is a boy with a career before
him, think" Mr.. Alison had said. He
had not told all Reub's secret, but had
felt it right to say that he was an or
phan, working nard for money to start
in life.
Reubens skies had never been so
bright. Courtenay took the whim to
offer him exceptionally good wages,
and he had large margins of leisure for
study. What he liked best was getting
to know COurtenay, who had taken a
liking to him, and let him enjoy for
lie first time in his life the familiar
companionship of a gentleman. Some
times he felt as il Courtenay were in
wing him to speak OF his future hopes,
but this he shrank from doing.
One morning they were out in the
yacht together. Reuben had improved
wonderfully in his new life. He stood
straighter and seemed more manly
than ever before, and there was hap
pier look on his face. AS he stood by
the mast in his blue yachting suit, Mr..
Courtenay looked at him with some
thing like envy.
"If I weren't so fond of myself, I'd
like to try being you for a while" he
said at last.
Reuben laughed.
you'd soon get tired of it. Pm a
born plodder, and shall be to the end
of my days"
"Plodders sometimes come out best
in the end" said Courtenay, wistfully.
He sat silent for moment, with a
look that suggested not entirely cheer
full memories. Then he said abruptly,
My mother and sister are coming to-
morrow. We will meet the boat.
with Dick?'
mo, with the pair. Why do you
ask?"
I'VE have never tried the new horses
on the steamboat wharf, but we know
they are restless" Reuben answered
hesitatlngly. Il think Dick would be
safer"
Courtenay was on the verge of an i'm
patient reply, but he suppressed it.
my mother likes spirited horses
you and will be on the front seat, and
l thinl. we can manage the blacks be-
tween us"
Clearly Reuben's only course was tc
obey. Morning came, and the faultless-
ly groomed horses were brought pune
tually to tie door. Courtenay took