The Fulton County news. [volume] (McConnellsburg, Pa.) 1899-current, 1906-06-06
Robert bowed his head in shame over


make of myself"
mo. you're not, Rob- she declared,
loyalty; but there was an anxiety in
her voice she could not conceal.
II stand third in the class" he told
the doctor, briefly, at the end of Janu.
ary.
What are you going to do about
it?" was the characteristic response.
"Give up?'
Robert mounted to his seat in the
"bobs" and gathered up the lines His
tone was obstinate rather than hope.
full: mo, sir. not until / have to-"
THAT fellow" said the doctor, later,
to Mr.. Teller, "has paid my bill down
to the last cent. He has done their
outdoor work at home and kept the
family going financially all winter with
that wagon of his. His father and
mother depend entirely on him"
But, all the same" said Mr.. Telfer
soberly, "he's dropping steadily behind
in his studies, and l had counted on
him at Keybrook to represent our
school WELL"
At home Robert, who had a long
race with some snow-bllnded sheep,
was falling asleep over his Latin in
the face of his despairing determina-
tion to keep awake.
But, father" he said. with hope re.
newed when the April report card
showed his marks low in the eighties,
there are the final examinations this
month. I'm reviewing for them every
minute I can find. They count one
third on the terms work. l always
keep pretty cool in the exams" and he
went out to the barn whistling more
cheerfully than he had in weeks be-
fore.
Hope to come up four places on the
finals. do you, eh?" came the doctors
discouraging voice. The doctor had
fallen into the habit of frequenting his
barn in the morning at quarter to
nine, although he seldom had an en-
couraging word to offer. That morn
ing he noticed how thin and pale Rob-
ert had become.
II shall do my level best, sir. I have
been reviewing for weeks now"
"When do the examinations begin?"
Tomorrow" Robert responded.
The following morning Doctor Jar
Wis was startled at the sight of the
boys face. 1t lad a drawn, sleepless
look "See here, Doc, did you study
all nlght?''
Robert turned away. His tone was
mufiled. mo. sir, but 1 was up all
night with sick cow"
Mice preparation for final exam
inationsw the physician muttered, but
this time he mercifully waited until
Robert was out of hearing.
1t was preparation which could
have but one result. Roberts stand
ings for the term were lowered almost
to the passing mark. He could barely
graduate, Mr.. Teller told him, and the
teachers face expressed his regret.
In heaviness of heart Robert an
nounced at home the principals deci
sion.
Il feel wicked, mother" cried Clara
''to stand higher than Rob after all he's
done this winterw
, All day the boy secretly longed fol
: something to happen which would Of
: fer a reasonable excuse for his absence
} from the evening graduating exercises
/ but he longed in vain. Eight O'Clock
found him sitting, in humiliation OF
, spirit, in the fifteenth place as the clas:
> of twenty were arranged on the plat
form in order of their rank
, Even the students had not known
| before how low position he would oc
, cupy. and many We're the surprised
stares which met his shamed face Oh
every side.
t He was glad Doctor Jarvis was moi
there to see him. The physician was
attending a trustee meeting at Key
I brook. 1t was bad enough to face his
mother and father, who felt in thell
: hearts that the fifteenth place was fol
. once the seat Of homer. although they
were corey disappointed for Roberts
: sake.
The hour spent on that platform wa:
( the keenest torture the boy had evel
, known, and it was with a feeling OF
relief that rose with the others to re
. ceive his diploma When Mr.. Telfel
p had passed fourteen rolls down tht
!. line, he paused moment and pulled
5 an envelope from his pocket.
Here is something which will in
o terest you, Robert" he smiled, ''and
t congratulate you on your prospects
n You deserve them"
n The letter was handed over with th'
n fifteenth diploma, while the audience
|. watched curiOusly, and whispered
!. questions which no one could answer.
o Robert walked off the platform anC
4 down the aisle, staring stupldly at th'
!. envelope. 1t was postmarked Key
= brook" Sitting beside his father h,
K read the typewriter sheet within. anc
!. caught his breath. 1t was from th
t principal of the preparatory school.
# Mr.. Robert Sprague. Swansea, Pa:
MY Dear Sir-It becomes my pleas
?. ant duty to inform you that Docto
q Jarvis of our BOARD of trustees ha
founded second scholarship 70
n Swansea with the understanding tina
t. it is TO be at your service for fou
Q years, beginning with Septembe
IS next. The doctor has asked me to sa.
h this-that he considers 1t of greater i'm
portance to be the successful head of
d house than of class."-Youth's Com
V panion.
Valuable Zones OF Silence.
There has come into modern life