Custer County Republican. (Broken Bow, Neb.) 1882-1921, 1906-12-06

no one, called: "Mother!"
Eyes, Kent, In just minute" came
voice from the kitchen; and in
about that time the owner of the !
voice, sweet faced woman with a
firm mouth, appeared.
81 thought you were out here,
mother, l only wanted to tell you
that l would not be home to dinner,
as John and l are going over to the
Blue Pond. But you may expect a
FIVE pound trout for supper"
His mother smiled. kissing his
hand to her he resumed his whistling
and set off with sturdy stride across
the fields to meet his chum. Pride
and affection showing plainly in her
countenance, his mother. watched him
out of sight.
As he left the fields and entered the
road he was joined by his friend, John
Fenton, a boy of his own age, whose
face lacked the strength that was the
| predominant characteristic Of Kent's,
but had far more claim to beauty.
| They reached Blue Pond, famous
fishing place, In good time and pro-
ceeded to the business of the day.
81 was just thinking, Kent" said
John, "of the contrast between to-day
and yesterday. To-day we are cou-
pie of idle vagabonds, apparently abb
sorbed in thoughts of angle worms
and roach, with a possible trout later
on as a lure; yesterday" and he
threw out his chest and spoke In as
deep bass as he could compass, yes
terday, we stood in the classic halls
of Senoia high school and GRATED Cat
least you did and received the plaud-
its of the admiring multitude, and In
cidentally our diplomas and the con-
gratulatiens of our friends on being
first and second honor men. Was yes
terday a reality and to-day dream,
or vice versa?" Kent laughed, albeit
little soberly.
ITO me they are both realities and
both little saddening. 1t Is no light
matter to leave your childish days be-
hind you and find yourself confronted
with the great problem, What is my
life to be7 or rather, What am to
make of my life? for after all, we
choose what it Is to be. Have you
; thought that to-day is probably the
last we will spend together In the old
careless fashion? What are you going
to do now that you have graduated
from the high school?"
Father says I am to help him In
the store for few years, with final
view to partnership l suppose, as
am the only boy in the family. What
are your plans?"
II am going to college,"
"P-h-e-w! I thought 1t was just
, all your mother could do to keep you
in the high school until you grad
uated, and now you announce In the
! coolest manner and as matter of
course that you are going to college,
my plans are not perfected yet, but
J II you will not mention it l will tell
you what am thinking Of. You know
, the people of Chetney have to come
to Senoia, Is miles, for their mail, and
1t is great inconvenience to them
Judge Dent has been trying for year
to make arrangements to have the
mail delivered there three times q
|, week. He Is about to succeed in this
8 and intend to apply for the position
4 Of mail carrier. 1t will only pay $3.50
o year, but that will take me to col
a lege for one year. / can go and come
the same day. and that will take but
three days out of the week, and the
rest Of the time l can help with the
farm work and relieve mother of &
i good deal OF care. All my spare time
a l shall put in preparing to enter tn,
It junior class, and when / get through
8 that / am going to make the none.
to take the senior year."
81 must say you are gritty. Blu
d even II you get the place you surel,
n cannot take the horse from the crop
n. three days in week or there will b.
II no crops. 1t would take lot of you
wages to buy "a horse; you haven
. even bicycle and you cannot wal
NJ 80 miles day"
D. Buying horse is not to be though
le Of have plan, but l propose t
ID keep that to myself yet awhile, a
20 least until / can talk 1t over wit
[e Judge Dent. l am to see him abou
.. 1t tomorrow. Now let's get to fish
Ing. / promised mother a FIVE poun
trout for supper"
" The next morning Kent had an IL
IL terview with Judge Kent and whe
iy they parted the judge looked yer
at much amused. while Kent's ja'
s. looked square and determined; br
ut there seemed to be an excellent unde
pc standing between them, for the judg
!, clapped Kent on the shoulder an
-, said: You'll do, Kent. ! hope you
plan will succeed. 1t certainly d
40 serves success"
Thank you!" Kent quietly r
). sponded, 81 am sure 1t will succee
30 If am allowed to put 1t to the test
hs When Kent returned to his home /
IT. was observed by his mother to
1t very busy with his tools under II