The Fulton County news. [volume] (McConnellsburg, Pa.) 1899-current, 1906-06-06
. HE doctor stood by the bedside;
there was not trace of SYM
pathy expressed in his scanned

face or in his brusque manner,
rot there were people who declared
4 was not lacking In his heart.
"Well. what are you going to do
about it?" he inquired, briefly.
Mr.. Sprague drew a long breath.
Doctor you can't mean that 1t will
De mouths
Exactly what do mean. 1t VIII
ne months before you can bear your
weight upon that foot. It's not spraln.
The ligaments are torn"
boy stood beside the window, his
Sack toward the bed. The sick man
glanced at him involuntarlly while the
,bysician was speaking. Now his
roicc contained a sad attempt at cheer
inlness as he said, Robert. do you
lear that? 1t means you're the head of
lhe house now"
DR.. Jarvis turned pair of keen
yes on the boy, Rather big job
,or one of your size. ell, Doc?" he ejac-
Hated. grlmly. He always referred to
9obert as Doc" because of the pro-
iesslon which the boy had in view.
Mrs. Sprague spoke quickly Bur
lens never seem so heavy to the will
ng and capable Doctor Jarvis"
The physician nodded, picked up his
medicine-chest. and walked out of the
.oom abruptly. Robert followed and
went into the barn, sat on the feed
box, and tried hard not to think.
Robert" came voice from the
.4.t.t. .1nov "a ttncfaoIv vnipp
yes, mother" He made a quick
2ass at his eyes, and did not turn his
aead.
Mrs. Sprague sat down beside him
Ind laid her hand on his arm. For Il
moment neither spoke. I'm sorry,
Robert" she began, finally, land 50 is
sour father. but"
Robert swallowed hard. He knew
what she meant. 1t was the subject
le had been struggling to keep out of
lls thoughts. Finally he said huskily,
well. mother, if | can't, why l can't,
hats ALL
1--WE have been talking it over, your
.ather and I" She paused to gain
control of a faltering tongue. 1T
seems to us best for Clara to go. can
get along without her help, and if she
graduates this year, she can teach
lext But you, Robert-we shall have
o depend on you for everything this
winter"
The boy swallowed again, but made
40 reply.
Your father says that Mr.. Brown
will give you ten dollars month for a
couple of trips a day to the sawmlll.
IF course you are strong enough to do
leavier work in the woods than driv-
ng the team, but that ten dollors will
mean much to us, Robert, just now"
Robert slipped down from the feed
)ox, saying with brusqueness which
lid not deceive his mother, "I've got
let the cows out now"
She watched him as he opened the
tanchions this son of whom she was
% proud. He led his class in the
Taded school in the village. They had
lis future already planned. He was
% graduate in May. and the following
September enter the college prepara'
ory school at Keytrook, where q
scholarship once in four years awaited
he leader of the senior class in Swan
iea. This was the fourth year, and II
te were not prepared for Keybrook
his year he would use the scholar
hip. The loss would be severe to the
Spragues in their straitened tinancia
circumstances.
Long after his mother had returned
the house Robert stood in the stable
loor, looking down the valley beyond
he Swansea schoolhousc. Tho broth
n and sister had rented Two rooms a
Mrs Browns, where they had boarded
he previous year Now one of thu
'ooms must be given up. A lump ros'
II Roberts throat. Doctor Jarvis
blunt words to his father had turnet
he world upside down.
Clara" he began at the supper
able. in tone which lie intended Il
De careless, (which of those room
10 you want to keep? | had letter g
downtown tomorrow and tell Mrs
Brown. or we may have TO pay ren
or both"
der soft brown eyes filed with tears
out she knew better than to let Rober
see them. She read the signs Of re
preston in his face.
ASK Mrs Brown TO keep the cheap
er one for me- she returned, quietly.
The following afternoon he drove [
town to interview Mrs. Brown. o
lla Wnu ha p,at nr 1orvic
Hello, Doc"' called the physician
drawing rein. "As head of the house
what are YOU going to do?'
Drive team for Mr.. Brown rS
turned Robert, half-resenting til
question. The doctor seemed to col
slider himself privileged character a
TO questioning.
what do you get for it?"
"Ten dollars a month"
"AIight do worse" was the only II
sponse the doctor made as he Croy
on, but turned and looked musingly 1
!he boys straight back.
Rent the roomw cried Mrs. Brow
few moments later. "Why, Rober
could rent both those rooms doze
times over. Every vacant room in II
place is taken by students, and dozeI
are turned away. | don't blame IL
girls and boys for wanting to come
.he graded school. It's 2 good school
When Robert left Mrs. Brown |
carried with him new idea, whlc
grew with every mile of the homewai
Journey. Why not? There We're Il
IL