Waterbury evening Democrat., 1903-03-14
The Awakening of John Grey
 By J. D. c. MURRAY.
ESg zzsx z2Ss2n!}l
 9A
By J. D. c. MURRAY.

9D
 The following short story was writ ten by James D. c. Murray, class Of 'O1, High school, whose home IS on South street, this city, and who Ids now a student at Holy Cross col Etege. The story appeared in the feD- truary number of the Holy Cross Fur pie: -. uhe September sun was shedding its golden rays on the quaint cottages or n secluded little New England village Ht was a trifie early for LaDor to bbxnock with his hundred hands at the doors of the villagers and the calm pc culiar to the hour was unbroken save by the rumble of the train which stop- ped at the diminutive station eacn morning to receive an occas1onal pas Eenger. This morning there was put bne. A village youth, John Grey, was about to take his departure to a unl- yersity in the far-away metropolis, so .flfstant, indeed, that the simple coun- try folks knowledge of 1t was .gleaneo Erom report.
 The pain of the first parting was mu- Kual to young Grey and to his fatner' and the more poignant to the latter' since John was the one child ana oniy relative diversity had spared him. 1GoodIbye and God bless you," were Nha few simple words of farewell Sam uel Grey could utter. A moment later khe train was bearing away lad ruli IOf hopes, rosy as the bright autumnai pun..
 TO the inhabitants of Va1leydown, J01hn Grey appeared to be the emDoul- Ement of all things admirable 1n poy' FIis knowledge of Greek verbs had ear 'ay astonished the patriarchal village nedagogue. but 1t was his frank, unas- suming disposition and cheery smile Nwhich had won golden opinions of the lhoaisy-headed old men who were wont s Ho assemble daily to exchange the lat est gossip at the country store, at once emporium and postoffice. Postmaster Ruggles expressed the consensus of opinion when he said: sgThe lad'll be h credit to his dad and the ole town wherever he may go," and Postmaster Ruggles was supposed to be gifted with wisdom supernal
 TO his father, John had been more than a son, he had been a constant EOmDHn1Ons Ou0 DcGcIbDCl might. eighteen years before, the angel Df life and the angel of death had Simultaneously crossed the threshold of Samuel Grey's cottage. Johns ad- srent into the world had witnessed his mothers death Since then father and son had been inseparable com rades, and, the love which long associa- fion engenders had sprung up between h1.. ifo fha diSTNawffu in fhnir Rgess
 Samuel Grey was not a man or means. Indeed, years of labor and fru- gality were spent in accommodating a sum of money which at length seemed sufficient to defray the expenses of his son's course at the university. The village physician had suggested that Bohn' entrance to the university be de kerred until the time when his imma- fure mind would have grown in world Nv wisdom. He pointed out the dan- ger of trusting feet so young to tread the quicksands of life in great strange city with no one to guide Nhem But so implicitly confident of his son was Samuel Grey that he re garded the old physicians fears as Idle
 After Johns departure his fathers principal pleasure consisted in his daily visits to the postofice for his ex, pected letters, and he was rarely dis appointed in receiving one. Rarely loo, did 1t fail to bring him happiness Redolent with youthful hopes and ac counts of the progress the boy was making, the letters were looked fol more and more eagerly. But as tht months passed they became less ire quent, and what was more distressing stiIl, an indescribable something seem ed to creep in, a something which com pletely changed their tone. At frs this was attributed to the close atten Eion the young students duties exact ed. But presently o.0v short notet came, requesting sums of money whicl few months previously would hav' appeared as little fortunes to Johl Grey Without misgiving or hesitanc. the confding, trustful old man willing " responded.
 But at length the sum of money earned with so much labor. which hat been put by to defray the expenses O John's entire course, was expended Now 1t was necessary to mortgage tn little property. This, too, was cheer Iuily done, put many sleeplesS nigh Samuel Grey knew as he knelt besid the bed in his sons room and prayet Tor the strength to earn whateve money might yet be needed. One day however, note came containing al urgent request for an extremely larg amount. With faItering heart the ol man set out for the house of Boughton the Shylock of Valleydown. His wis 1t was unavailing. Boughton refuse, to mortgage the property again, reply ing to every entreaty with: Cant d It. When man starts sliding dow
 ~wY~ A wx