The Intermountain Catholic. (Salt Lake City [Utah] ;) 1899-1920, 1910-11-26
Kenneth's Pearl


,oliug that trimmed IN the orchard of an old home
ategd at Glen st. Mary. 1t was the afternoon of a
late summer day The air seemed infused with a
Golden meowness, and the sere pastures on the up
lands and the crisp stubbles in the valley below
them we're softened by pale blue haze. Behind
Them in the orchard, the gnarled and closely grow
mo trees ruddy with the rpening fruit, and
IN front, cleaning through the gaps in the frs that
sheltered the barns, was the dazzling blue sweep of
ST. Marys bay:
Kenneth Cleveland and Leonard Butler were
cousins both about Is years old Kenneth was tall
and broad-shouldered, with a tanned intelligent
face and steady, thoughtful gray eyes He was evi-
IDENTIFY country boy, and just as evidently leonard
Butler was cty-bred.
The latter was spending the last few days of his
vacation at his uncle's farm. He and Kenneth
were sworn chuns, and until recently, had hoped
10 spend the winter together at Bennett Academy
Kenneth had just been telling him that this was
not to be.
Father told me this morning that he could not
afford to send me, after all He has lost heavily
by the failure of that shipping firm down at the
harbor-so heavily indeed that it must be short
commons with us for several years. so Bennett
Academy Is out of the question for this winter,
and probably for good and ALL"
There ring of Encouragement in Ken
neths tones. He had set his heart on going to
college 1t was hard now to face the likelihood of
disappointment and resign himself to staying on the
farm. Kenneth had always done his duty thereon
manufully but the work was not congenial to him.
and with several younger brothers growing up, he
could be easily spared from it.
1T is too bad" said Leonard. Il suppose there
is no way you could earn the money yourself?
Kenneth shook his head. Not in Glen St.
Mary. If | could get my winter at the academy, l
could get along after that. 1t would give me my
teachers certificate, and [ could teach and so work
my way through college. But there seems to be no
way
After an interval of silence Kenneth shook
himself together with a laugh.
We'll, there is no use in sulking, is there, Len?
Other fellows have had to give up their ambitions
before now. No doubt I'll live through it. Just
at present my manifest duty is to go and pick those
big blue plums for mother As for the rest-you
in weeks time will be pacing Benefits classic
halls with notebook and lexicon; and l. in overalls
and souw ester, viii be a-fshing in the briny deep
for oysters in big Tim Hedges boat"
Are you jokng?"
Not l. Oyster fishing pays. Len 1t is not
wildly exciting. and it is hard work, but there's a
bit of money In it while the season lasts. ] shall
make $50 or so-not more, for | only go when
father can spare me. If / make no more than
enough get my winter clothes it will Tighten his
load somewhat. [ begin on Monday. Don't look SO
compassionate I'm strong horse and fond of
the bay. If the weather is fine / shall have lots of
fun. And l think myself lucky to get the place.
Big Tim had a dozen other applicants"
On Monday morning Kenneth did go to work.
The weather had changed. and the ensuing week
vas cold and wet, with misty northeaster whip
ping the bay Under such circumstances oys-
Ter fishing was even less enjoyable than usual but
Kenneth stuck to it manfuly.
One evening. shortly before Leonard's visit
came to an end, he and Kenneth were In the farm
rouse kitchen at dusk. It was an old room, low
raftered and whitewashed, with cheerful fire in
an odfashioned Waterloo stove, threading the
gloom with rose-red ribbons. Len liked the old
kitchen; he was stretched out on braided rug be-
fore the fire with his head pillowed on the book he
had been reading before dark, and stroking
nous gray cat which was curled up beside him.
Il have something to show YOU said Kenneth
1T came up in the drag this morning. | think it
Is pearl Do you suppose 1t is worth anything!
There was man years ago at the Lower tslen who
found pearl in oyster, and got $40 for 1t"
While he was speaking Ken rummaging in
his pocket, and he now produced huge, encrusted
oyster shell and handed it to Len. As the latter
held it to the freight a whistle escaped him. A
pearl 1t undoubtedly was, looking the rays of
light played over it. like bit of crystallized sea-
loan. 1t was about the size of pea
What do you think of it It's pretty. anyhow,
Isn't it!' said Ken.
Len nodded abstractedly He shifted the pearl
about, and watched the irridescent play of colors
and its glistened sphere. ken" he said, sudden
~ lit seems to me that this pearl ought to be worth
good deal. But of course, I'm no judge. Such
pearls very rare, aren't theyl"
Yes The Lower Glen man was the only per-
son who ever found one here"
We'll, III tell you; let me take this pearl home
with me, and I'll take it to jeweler and get his.
opinion If it is of no value I'll return it to you.
Il it should be worth anything I'll do the best [
can for YOU"
Kenneth nodded "All right l don't suppose
II is worth much. Still, if it does bring in few
dollars til be glad Christmas comes in about
Three monthssyou know and the mother has to have
present"
With laugh Kenneth put on his souwester
and went cut to milk
Looks as if this Scotch mist wasn't going
70 let up" he remarked, as he opened the door to
The wet chilly night.
Len put the pearl away, and it not referred |
10 again. Ken had almost forgotten about it when |
1. rn,,