Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1928-03-02

saying, Once In factory never out
was ~ In mill when small boy,
no! half us old as you, and | couldn't
get out until after was a man grown,
when my obligations died off. Then
| broke away, don't want any OF
my children to follow my footsteps
there If you should look over the
help when they come through the gate
you wouldn't see one in fifty as strong
and healthy as you and Alice. Then
there's your civil engineering course
to he started into next year, and
Alice entering high school with her
mind made up as TO what she wants
to be-"
"That's lust the trouble" burst out
young Marvin protestlngly. ITS just
for Alice and me- We don't want so
much sacrifice. I'm not a boy any
longer, father, hut man grown in
size If not in years. can see things
You're not old enough for your shout
ders TO be STOPPING and your hair to
he so gray And mothers looking
tired out, too. We can't"
The old farmer laid hand upon his
sons shoulders. "My boy" he inter-
rupted "your mother and | want you
and Alice to do It for us. II has
been the one great thought In all our
work and planning for years. I didn't
get my chance; don't want you to
lose yours"
"But It isn't right" faltered the boy
"Alice and could work In the fac
tory for year, saving all our money.
then go on with our studies You
know we might lose the farm II things
go on like they've been doing"
"The farm will hold out TIL you
and Alice are settled" returned his
father. "That is the main point And
I don't like Interruptions, for they're
liable to prevent any more going on
You've got lot Of ambition, and so
has Alice; but wouldn't wonder n
your mother and I have this future
more at heart than either Of you
Won't you fill It out for us2"
The boy struggled with himself for
some moments, then nodded "All
right, father" he agreed. "And ri
study as I never did before, to more
quickly At myself to take some of the
burden"
So another year passed, and the
mortgage grew a little larger, and the
figure of Marvin Webster little more
weary looking. But the WEAKNESS
was not in the eyes. They seemed to
be growing younger with the progress
OF his boy and girl.
Then one morning they found
gran'ther had gone away. Only his
body was in bed.
A few days after, they looked for
the stocking or tin box, or whatever
1t might be- going about the room
with loving thoughts and reverent
steps. But nothing was there.
Probably he has sent 1t away ia
relieve the distress OF some old
friend" his son said softly. "Gran'ther
had good many friends. Likely some
old soldiers family"
Gran'ther had been an officer In the
Civil war, with a record. His com
mission and other cherished me
mentoes were In his little horsehalr
trunk. Mrs. Webster looked then
over, with a thought of saving them
for the children. Among them was n
paper, which she passed to her hus.
band.
"What do you make II 1t, Marvin
she asked.
He read II through from end to
end, slowly, carefully. his face work.
Ing strangely.
"It's life insurance policy" he
answered at length. Been running
for years. It's for $4,000 And on a
slip OF paper pinned to II gran'ther
says $1,000 is for Marvin to finish
his education and one for Alice to
finish hers. The other two are to pay
Off the mortgage and to have some to
put into the bank to keep of any
more worry. This Is why gran'ther
gave up his smoking all these yenrs
And he never told me anything about
II, because he knew was against life
insurance for poor folks"
Marvin was very thoughtful the rest
OF the day. The next morning while
they we're at breakfast, he looked
across at his wife.
"Gran'ther was right and was
wrong" he said. 1--WE haven't the
money, and IL wouldn't like to use
any Of gran'ther's for a thing I've
been against. But think we can
spare one OF the horses-the big
black. Wen use the money to get
life insurance for us, wife,"