Cleveland morning leader. [volume] (Cleveland [Ohio]) 1854-1865, 1860-03-28
CLEVELAND, WEDNESDAY MORNING, MARCH 28 1856

| That was enough for me to know. IwOuld
make friends with the Doctors son at the be-
GINNING. But that was easier said than done,
| / NAV az well confess at once. There was mis-
chief enough in him to have stocked little
million Of commonly roguish boys. Gain an
advantage over him in one way, and be vas
doubly sure to gain over me in another. II |
attempted to reason with him, his answers would
set the whole school in a hub-bub, and if |
threatened to punish him, look Of sheer de6-
| ance settled upon his bright face. He troubled
me so deeply that could not rest night or day,
in school or out. That grew pale and thin is
not to be wondered at.
When my trial was ct its height, / ehaneed
to meet my acquaintance and prophet OF the
cars. Who be was, OF what he was, did not
trouble myself to think did not even care.
hsd hoped to meet him again, but preferred
to have il at the time Of my victory, not at my
vanquishment.
"And how are you pleased with your school u
] he asked, walking by my side in an easy, care
less way, as though he was an acquaintance oi
years.
al am delighted" answered. "I cannot
express to you how much"
| He laughed heartily. Looking into his face
at that moment, thought / could trace very
strong resemblance between him and the doc
tors son, Frank Eidridge. A most unpleasant
truth dawned upon my mind. A little angered,
determined to make the most Of il.
"The scholars are very well" / said, bali
malieiously. 81 suspect thst the trouble lies
with their parents The ringleader of all the
mischief seems to have grown up in = most
unhealthy atmosphere. should say that his
father was not very devout friend Of Sabbath
| SCHOOL,, and that would be a mild saying, in
deed, and q charitable one on my part"
! Ny words took immediate effect. A little
flush Of color appearing suddenly upon the
gentleman's face, spoke palmer than words
could have done. Seeing my advantage,
continued, in tantalizing way:
People tell me that this Eldridge boy has
not known a mothers care Since his earliest
infancy. That is selfevident. have been
more lenient, remembering this. But if It is
mothers care that ne needs, / would advise
his father, most heartily, to make an attempt 70
secure to him the care of some good, true wO-
man" "a "a
"You would !" c. FL.
He looked me fully in the face as be asked
the question. was not equal to the ordeal
I grew suddenly confused. and trying to answer
| him, stumbled upon three OF four answers at
the same time.
''YOur advice Is most excellent, Miss Lakin.
hope the unfortunate gentleman viii be able
to act upon it,"
$50 do /, most sincerely" answered, blush
ing beneath his strange questioning glance =
"FOr the boys sake he would do well to make
the matter one of Importance until he sue
| eeeds, ;" added, more because would not al.
| low myself to be silenced by lhis gaze, than
because | cared to speak.
"Perhaps you would be willing to aid the
gentleman in question, since you were the fTst
to suggest the idea! Would you ("
al am no philsnthrOpist," answered, curt
ly, believing that he was making an attempt
TO quiE. 81 think too much Of my life"
Ihesitated. saw that | was going too far.
The gentleman smiled. We were close by the
school house door, and the conversation could
20 no further. With a good morning. be
turned away, while entered the sohOOlsrOOm.
"Who was that eenilemanl" asked Of a
child, standing by Ihe door.
cdr. Eldridge, Frank Eldridge'S father, -
was the reply.
knew that well enough before, but hearing
it verified by the child's lips sent my blOOd
throbbing aud beating loudly at my heart.
(COacluaCd TO- -H0TTOi0)