The L'Anse sentinel. (L'Anse, L.S., Mich.) 18??-current, 1901-08-31
When Sam Found His COURAGE.
By Elizabeth L. Gould.
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/ at the 'cademy exhibition, Sam
my" said Hiram Lane, slowly,
his eye fixed on the boy stretched
on the grass near him. 'He
said if you ever wanted to leave
Moorby to let him know; that
he'd like to do something for boy
with such a good brain and head for
figures. Those were his words, Sam
my"
The boys. thin face flushed as he
turned to look at his uncle, and he
spoke with nervous quickness:
Hes forgotten all about me long
before this, Uncle Hiram. Why, that
school exhibition was two years ago
last June, and the judge didn't come
to Moorby last summer, you know. !
should be afraid to go and ask any
favor of him."
Il wish you hadn't such basliful
streak in you, Sammy" said Uncle Hi
ram. looking down at the boy with
a half-reproachful, wholly affectionate
smile. You're just like your poor
pa. A better man never lived, but he
wasn't built to get on in this world
and he didn't get on. / was hoping
YOU might have a little more push
than your pa, Sammy, along with his
goodness. Now your mas gone,
could be moved anywhere; or l could
be put in the county farm, Sammy, il
so it seemed best for you to strike
cut to the city alone. I'm nothing but
a helpless old hulk, anyway"
1,a& -,
ram! Don't you dare to!" cried the
boy, fiercely, springing to his feet, and
rushing like whirlwind upon the fig
sure in the old armchair. "Arn't you
all I've got in the world that belongs
to me? Do you suppose I'd go away
and leave you for the town to take
care of? I'd deserve to be hung!"
''Sho, now, Sammy!" said the occu-
pant of the armchair, gently, as he
saw the hot tears in the boys eyes.
1--WE haven't got anything but each
other, either of us; but here l am,
lame so I'm no good to stir about;
hands all knotted up with rheumatics,
so can't use 'em, and you just spend
ing your days distributing milk, and
saving and splitting, which any boy
with no such head for figures as you've
got could do full as well. How much
did you earn last week. Sammy"
"OnIy three dollars, Uncle Hiram
answered the boy, slowly. You know
my work is always slack after the sum-
mer people have gone. The judge and
his family are going next week. Their
hired girl told me to have Mr.. Sar-
gent make out the milk bill. When
I went there yesterday morning the
judge was sitting on the side piazza.
but he didn't know me-"
did you make your manners to
him, and give him good look at you,
Sammy" asked the uncle, anxiously.
81 mistrust you kind of half-turned
your head away, or maybe the sun
was in his eyes,"
II took off my cap the best I knew
how" said Sammy; ''but he barely
nodded to me. He wasn't reading or
anything, either"
maybe he was calculating in his
head" suggested Mr.. Lane, quickly
.glancing up at the boy, and then
averting his eyes. "You recall how
he told you he used to love to do those
mental sums, same as you did at the
exhibition, Sammy"
The boy shook his head, and stood
for moment looking across the fields
up to the hill on which stood the
Judges house, its windows cleaning
bright in the morning sun.
mo, he's just forgotten me, Uncle
Hiram. that's ALL" he said, after q few
moments of silence. "Tm just one Of
the country boys to him, and 1 guess
that's all ever shall be. He's the on
ly one that could give me a chance.
Now must run over to Mrs. Lapham's
and finish piling her wood. viii you
stay here and read till come back at
noon? The suns good and warm to-
day"
you'll find me sitting in my castle,
same as you see me now" said Mr..
Lane, cheerily. PAY my respects to
Mrs. Lapham, and tell her wish
she could get out to enjoy
this beautiful weather, but al
ways think of what slightly
view she has from that south window