The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1865-03-27
rms cLrHroN PINE.
By M1Rrux ALEX.

The old 6onO0fmt8tef VOVA bP0lu18s
book from his desk, pushed up his speo-
tacles, and in . loud voice called, Marx
Thurston, No. one /"
A boy with very flushing black eyes
walked proudly down the aisle and took
his place at the head Of the Glass.
"Rosa McGiiveris, No. two" called
the loud voice again.
There was little confusion on the
girls side, and then snarl Of bright curls
appeared from under desk, q pair of hs-
eel eyes looked up saucily, and pet voice
said, Ibid you call me 7"
"Take your place Y Numbered the
school master. The little girl then came
leisurely from her seat, walked to the
other part of the room, and stood next to
Mark. "Look here" she whispered.
nulgiug him with her sharp little elbow,
"rm going to be number one, tonight,
see if don't! You will miss, and III
get above you."
Z" I'd Ike to see you do it u retorted
Mark, lcf.ily. "there isn't girlin the
world that can spell as well as I. Girls
donl. know as much as boys anyhow =
Ross dare not reply to this smart chal-
lense, for Mr.. Jones was looking that
war, but she glanced at number one With
such sheer, that the school-msster said,
"Mark, is Rosa McGilverie making up
faces at your
'No sir" replied the boy, "that's the
way she looks all the time
This cutting retcrt made all the schol.
sra laugh; they did not like Rosa, and
were always glad to have her drought
Down" as they said.
Poor little Rosa Her mother was
dead, and 20 kind friend had yet brought
out the tenderness that slept beneath her
harsh manners. She was just like that
awkard little bush in your garden, all COW
cred with ugly thorns. Only wait till the
sweet June sunshine smiles upon it, and
you will see i. graceful with delicate leaves
and those lovely fragrant blossoms that
all the poets write about. l. was early
spring with our poor little Rosa. Nobody
saw anything but thorns.
She did not seem to mind the scholars
laughing at all, but stood with defiant
look until the master had restored order.
Then she entered with her whole heart
into the spelling She was bright schoi-
ar--all the school acknowledged that.
"Ycu may spell three times around"
said " Jones 81 shall not have time to
hear you any more than that tonight.
Eyes right and left. Toes on the mark
Begin p
Mark spelled with clear, assured voice,
as if to impress Rosa with the impossible
ily of his failure. But alas for human
pride !! The third time there came to him
that very comm on word, s'believe." Mark
had spelled it a hundred times before
he thought he knew it perfectly but a
glance at RDsa's wicked eyes confused
him, and the letters whirled about 10 his
mind. He commenced in an uncertain
voice: be, be, l-e-i-v e, lieve, believe.
"Eextf' said the master.
Rosa spelled it right with no shade
Of triumph in her manner, and imodestly
took her place above Mark. Then she
whispered in the most provoking way.
"Don't you believe l can get above you
now?"
After school, Rosa threw on her little
red shawl any way, and ran off alone
Mark was favorite, that handsome, gen.
erous boy She did not want to see the
scholars throng around him, as she knew
they would; to pity him and blame her
The lovely little girl ran off as fast as she
could 60, and at last, sat down to res,
under great pine tree that grew on the
hill. The cool winter air somehow sooth.
ed her flushed little face. But she fell
unhappy. 1t wasn't quite so fine to be
number one after all Poor Mark, how
disappointed he looked She almost
wished he hadn't missed. 1t was good
enough for him though He thought
girls didn't know anything. Rosa e
cheeks flushed at the thought, and she
looked very angry.
Just then voice spoke, right by her
eide, You can't be plumber one to. NOR.
row. anyway, Miss. The master says
ought to have had another trial"
"Just as the A, B, class does poor
little fellow ! So be should have another
trial y drawlea Rosa.
nIou are hateful GIRL" cried Mark.
with angry eyes; "you are homely and
disgracetul'y mean, and nobody likes
you."
Rosa could not bear this. She sprang
to her feet and tried to strike the bows
handsome face. He was too tall. BIZ far.
tor her to reach. She seized her slate
then, flung it with all her strength
against him, and ran away. Mark turned
white with rage, but he was too chiyal-
atrous to return the blow. He rushed
home IN passion, burst open the kitchen
door, aud cried
"oh, mother, wish Rosa McGilverie
was boy, 50 could give her a good
thrashing II
The angry children little thought how
many years would pass before thew vould
meet under the old pine again.
That night Rosa was sent TO live in
another Town near by. Better DAYS dawn.
ed for the poor orphan girl. Her new
found aunt with whom she was "a live
was gentle Christian woman. She. i
oil others, was the one to tame the nm.
governable child, and develope her love.
illness.