The Silver Lining / A Guernsey Story

of Inordina

. In one of these fits of depression he grew impatient. Then, his ambition turn

ceed, he d

acquire what he so much desired to possess. Now, there are thousands who are constantly

a country lane when he perceiv

t, her tail erect

anaged to grasp the rope which was tied round the brute's horns. He held it tightly and proceeded to tethe

g, which, when being driven, will go all right, but when pulled about, will release two small prongs at the sides. This will make it impossib

n article which would command a ready sale. Besides, it wou

full of different schemes which he would s

that he imparted his idea to his step-mother,

of mockery which he rec

tune in that way," she said. "

that it's a most us

think that people are going to listen to your nonsense? Wh

ny rate, it's worth think

n that fashion, you can do so," reto

his day month," thought

ed than ever. His mind was completely d

d very much in demand if manufactured. The letter went on to detail in full length the "safety peg." Then he went on to say that he woul

will certainly write soon,-such a valuable article-besides, th

ildly. To think that he had the precious missive. He approaches, and now he is goin

ought Frank, and he shouted: "Mr.

aid the postman-and

make haste. I'll wait till to-morrow, and if I don't receive

state of uncertainty in which he was, caused him to be depressed. Still he c

that he shook it away at once; he

o'clock. He remembered with pain that the d

t the greenhouse, watering his plants, but every other minute he opened the do

a letter to Frank who ran

postman, "maybe it's a love-letter. And from

uch letters were below his dignity; "this is abou

f his eyes, then turned on his

envelope, unfolded t

on

have much pleasure in informing you that your invention ha

prove very well i

be to secure it by provisiona

ll send you, at our earliest possible

yfully. "I'll send them th

opped reading. No, it was not in the letter. A thought had struck him. "I will have to mention t

the letter in his hand and exclaimed: "My invention is likely to be a succ

in his favour, with all the force

e her face lengthened and as soon as he had finished reading she said: "Clever peopl

one pound stamp and other

money, perhaps it would not

rank; "people don't make fortunes staring a

rily said Mrs. Mathers, "that you would

e was growing impatient at what he thought to be a

eft the room withou

ked: "Do you think these people are going

re fools," sarcastically

however, mastered his passions. It was his duty to bend, and he did so. "If

owing how to begin the speech that w

ies to nip my plans in the bud. When, with a few words of encouragement, I might soon be a rising man. But I must convince her-I must. If I don't succee

a somewhat tender and pleading tone, "and you ne

direction," she said, "earn money by all mea

e I sacrificed for the sake of acquiring knowledge. I did not care, work did not seem heavy, because it carried with it a hope of future happiness. I worked on till late in the evening. I rose early in the morning to resume my studies. And, if sometimes I felt discouraged, worn out by the ceaseless toil, I said to myse

I try to gather a few of the fruits which I have

he writer said: 'The cause of many failures is that men wait for so

u like, throw your money to the dogs, give it to whomsoever you choose. Perhaps, when you know the value of m

himself: "Liberty is sweet. I will now show them what I can do when I have no one to hinder me. Howeve

millionaire of years to come-he, who would soon be looked upon as the foremost man of the island, pointed at and envied by everyone-watering t

to learn. He little imagined the crushing blow t

and plans for the future. His heart overflowed with delight

red, but his ideas were the same. He never dou

what would his step-mother say-what would he himself do, he who had made this scheme part of his being. But he wo

ill go and see." Suiting the action to the thought, he sprang at the door and opened it. What was his

ter. He was agreeably surprised to see that it was from the inventors' agency, but his delight was soon

on

invention we were about to patent for you, ha

learned, ruined himself

rue. Sadly and mournfully he went into th

ew himself on a chair, took the le

"'Tis too true, there is not the slightest hope;

lf a rising man, now, I have utterly failed; that upon which I had set my heart, upon whi

nds," something seeme