The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1904-09-30
TOO RICH
TO AFFORD IT.
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81 don't want to go to school any
more. father" Mr.. Palmer raised his
eyes in surprise to the face of his first
born, a lad about fifteen.
And a bright, intelligent face it was,
though it was a little clouded now by
feeling of dubiousness as to now
his words would be taken.
"Why don't you want to go to school
any more?"
"WeH, sir, I'm tired of studying,
and-I don't see any use of it.
"Think you know enough, that you
don't need to learn any more?"
The boy colored little at that quiz
zical look and tone.
81 know as much as George Lyman
does, and he left school three months
ago. He says that he amt going to
drudge away at school when his father
has got plenty of money"
Mr.. Palmer turned upon his sons
face look of grave surprise.
"Did George Lyman say that, Wal
ter? His father is poorer man than
1 thought him."
"You are richer than Mr.. Lyman is,
amt you, father?" cried the boy
eagerly.
81 hoped was, but that remains to
be seen"
''Mr. Lyman is rich. too, father;
everybody says that he is"
"That remains to be seen also. So
you have quite made up your mind
that you don't want to go to school
any more. my SOM"
Eyes, SIR"
'You needn't then"
ooh, thank you, father!" cried Wal
ter, his face Frightening.
sWait a minute" said Mr.. Palmer,
as the boy caught up his hat prepare
tory to making dive through the
open door. "Come back; I have some
thing more to say to you. You have
nothing to thank me for-except, per-
haps, my good intentions. Consider
ing it as the best gift could bestow,
1t was my intention to give you a
thorough education. But there Is a
homely but true saying: One man
SdA fC1Q iCi 90 " VdsSi, Dhe sSiA
cannot make him drink So though
have by no means changed my opin-
lon as to the value of an education,
consent to your leaving school, be-
cause If you feel as you say you do,
1t will be only time and money thrown
away. But I want you to understand
clearly one thing: that if you don't
go to school you will have to go to
work. can't afford to have you idle. "
Walters countenance underwent a
very perceptible change.
do you mean that must go out at
days work like Dan Baker and Sam
Blake?"
81 mean that you must have some
daily employment, some trade or bust
ness. which will give you just so many
hours work, as sure as the sun rises"
why, father, George Lyman and
Will Bromley don't have to work; and
they say they don't mean to, either.
George told me that he heard his
father say that you were the richest
man in the county"
II might be the richest man in two
counties. and yet not be rich enough
to afford to have my boy idle" Mr..
Palmer smiled as he saw Walters puz.
zled look. "This is hard thing for
you to understand. my son; and
might talk to you from this time until
sunset and not make it any more clear
to you. Tomorrow Is Saturday, and
you know I always take you some
where that day. This time it shall
be to Plainfield, where an old school
mate of mine is liviag. A visit to him
and the place where he lives, will bet
ter explain my meaning than anything
can say"
The next morning Walter and his
father started out. bright and early
In the open phaeton. drawn by a pair
Of well-matchel, nettlesome bays
which bore them along the smooth
hard road. Plainfield was fifteen
miles distant, and the way thitheI
through such beautiful country, and
so entirely new to Walter that he had
forgotten all about what his father
had said the day before, until the
carriage stopped in front Of a gloomy
stone building.
"Are you going to stop here, father
What, 1t looks like a PRISON."
at is a prison" said Mr.. Palmer
who had been unusually grave and
sildent during their ride, as Walter
remembered afterwards.
''Bat l thought you were going &c
see an old schoolmate Of yours?" \
"Here is where he lives"
Walter followed his father silently
up the steps which led to the heavy