was on hand, and he surmised that it was the college business. He at
once thought within himself:

"I'll squelch the thing now, once for all."

Turning to his son, he said, "Look here, youngster, why hain't you
been out doing your chores? D'ye expect me to do your work and mine,
too?"

"Father," said the impulsive boy with a voice of trembling eagerness,
"if you will let me go to college next fall, I'll do my work and yours
too. I'll work night and day--"

"What cussed nonsense is this?" demanded the man harshly, clashing
down his knife and fork and turning frowningly toward his son.

"No, but father, listen to me before you refuse. Mr. Rule says I'm fit
to enter college and that I can lead my class too. I've been studying
for this three years. I've set my heart upon it," and in his
earnestness, tears gathered in his eyes.

"The more fool you, and old Rule is another," was the coarse answer.

The boy's eyes flashed angrily, but the mother here spoke.

"You ought to be proud of your son, John; if you were a true father
you would be. If you'd encourage and help him now, he'd make a man
that--"

"Shut up! little you know about it. He'd make one of your snivelling