The Fulton County news. [volume] (McConnellsburg, Pa.) 1899-current, 1909-07-22

,oon her boy all his five-and-twenty
Years. No doubt this was in meas
yre due TO the fact that his father
diod when the lad was just learning
20 walk-and Just as he leaned on
HE mother then, so he had leaned on
her ever since.
She had petted and humored and
snoiled him. He had a tutor when
he was old enough to learn from
hooks. and afterward he went to a
nrlyate school which was understood
10 be especially designed for back
ward boys of the best families.
But Sheldon Rivers was not back
ward in learning. He was quick at
figures and his memory was excellent.
He tired of the private school. He
tired of his classmates. Then he
went back to the tutor and contrived
10 pick up fair education.
But when Major Jim Rivers, his
fathers brother, big and hearty and
outspoken, had suggested college, the
mothers white hands went up in dis
may.
mo, indeed she answered. "Col-
lege is no place for Sheldon. | know
too much about those places Col
lege students are rude young ruffians,
exposed to all sorts of temptations
and leading liyes of reckless pleasure.
Aren't the papers full of their mis-
deeds? College is no place for my
SON."
The big uncle shook his grizzled
head
Maria" he said. very gravely,
"you are making q sissy of the lad.
Let him get out and take some hard
knocks. He can't stay here at your
apron strings forever. You are hurt
ing the boy. While other young fell
lows are up and doing things, he
mopes around at home like a sick
poodle. Confound it. Maria. you're
doing the boy great wrong. Let
me have him for a half year. I'll
put little manliness into him. What
do you say?"
The mother of the boy drew herself
up with much dignity.
81 prefer my son as he is, she said
with freezing dignity. "At least, /
have made him gentleman"
Jim Rivers was too big a man to
take offense at trifes. He smiled at
the thrust and spread out his hands.
II know a stone wall when / bump
into it," he said. Hes your boy
do what you please with him. But
wait, Maria. You mark my words
that boy will run up against an en-
ergency some day that will bring the
real man from behind that polished
veneer. There must be some of my
brother Tom in the lad, and it's going
to show itself Just put that down
on your tablets. Sister Maria. It's
the straight prophetic goods. And
now about those Atlantic C Northern
bonds.
Uncle Jim Rivers was right. The
emergency that Nephew Sheldon
would presently confront was close
at hand.
Sheldon had been at his tutors
home. The good man was slightly i'll.
Sheldon had gone in the family car
riage-his mother had no liking for
automobiles-to the quiet suburb in
which the professor lived, and had
left some delicacies for him and
huge bunch of flowers from the Riv-
ers' greenhouse. He was fond of the
professor, who had grown gray in his
service, and while the old connection
mad almost ceased-being narrowed
down to a course of reading-he
looked upon the old man as deserv-
ing pensioner OF the house of Rivers,
and watched over him closely.
Sheldon had sent the carriage
home when he reached the professors
door, and when he came out he found
the rain falling. He opened his UNI
brells and stepped out briskly. He
didn't mind the rain. He would walk
home-it was scarcely two miles.
And then as he turned the corner
squall swooped down the highway.
The air was filled with binding rain
that swirled In sheets before the
Kissing wind.
Sheldon saved his umbrella by
quick movement, and then as he half
turned, somebody was whirled
against him with considerable force.
He braced himself against the shock,
and then drew the stranger into the
nearest doorway.
His companion was a girl, a girl
NJ twenty, perhaps. Sheldon decided
upon her age when she had pushed
her hat back from her face and stared
at him with black eyes that were
big and wet.
"oh, I beg pardon" she cried, did
did hurt you?"
Not in the least" Sheldon replied.
"Are you all right yourself?"
II think so." said the girl.
Wasn't It dreadful? oh, my poor
umbrella"
1t was sorry sight. The cover
hung in tatters.
TOO bad" said Sheldon sympa-
thetically. Better throw It away"
Mercy, no." cried the girl. THAT
would be wasteful. Don't you know
you can get an umbrella fixed for
great deal less than new one costs?"
He laughed at this--her tone was
even more whimsical than her ques-
uon-and she laughed. too.
Il think 1t must have been the
umbrella that drew me along like a
runaway yacht--and my hat tipped
down. and then I bumped into you.
I'm 80 sorry. You're sure you're not
hurt9D