The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1872-07-12
Young Folks.
4 Rows RoYougc.


Ing snow fort on the hill near the
For some days the
weather had been very "moderate,"
rs people in the country express it, and
the snow had become of just the right
TO roll into balls, and thus
facilitate the building Of snow fort in
capital style. John had fallen in with
the plan very eagerly. He loved sport
Of that kind as well as any boy in the
school. When he played he threw all
his energies into the sport, and was con-
sequently sort of leader in all the
incident to school life.
And am glad to say that he studied
in very much the same way as he
played he made no half-work about
1t, but got his lessons thoroughly and
well. Probably his relish for play gave
him keener appetite for his studies.
1 have often noticed that those boys
who play best, study best Not those
boys who play most, however, for some
boys think of nothing but play.
The plan was proposed in the morn
ing that they might have time to build
the fort in the hour given them at noon
to eat their lunch during the forenoon
recess, and devote the entire hour to
work on the fort, and complete it, if
possible, before the afternoon school
hours began, that IL might be ready for
use next day. Nearly all the large boys
had hard lesson In arithmetic that
afternoon. The teacher had told them
that three of the hardest problems must
be worked out on their states and
brought for inspection at recitation
time. If not correctly done, time must
be taken from the hours incoming to
study on them. The boys thought of
the snow fort to be built, and applied
themselves diligently to their lessons.
John took his slate and worked away
busily. Before recitation came he had
conquered all difficulties, and had the
Snotty problems written down for the
teachers inspection.
Recitation came. He took his slate
and started for the class which was
forming on the floor. He had got
nearly to his place when he saw that
the examples he had written down SO
carefully were gone-rubbed out en-
tirely. He stared at the blank slate
with look of complete bewilderment.
lie had taken unusual pains with them
When he looked last they were certainly
there. Now they were gone. But who
have done 50. He could not remember
that any one had been to his seat, and
yet some person had found and taken
the opportunity to blot the result of his
mornings labor.
II had the examples on my slate, sir"
he said to the teacher. "They are gone.
Some one has rubbed them out"
"Who has rubbed them out ?" asked
the teacher, in his sharp, stern way.
II don't know, sir" answered John.
"Are you sure you had them worked
out correctly?" asked the teacher.
"Yes, sir" answered John, flushing
up at the doubt implied by the teach.
er's tone and question.
every well; as you are unable to pro-
duce them, and can accuse no one OF
having rubbed them out, you may stay
in at noon and work on them"
John was too proud to say word in
protest, unjust as he felt it to be. So he
took his seat in silence, resolved to find
out, if it were possible, the author of his
misfortune, for such he considered it to
be, since it obliged him to stay away
from the fort.building that was to take
place at noon. Stay away he did. II
was time for school to begin before the
problems were solved and written out.
He could not study much when he
thought Of the sport the boys were
having on the hill. He could heal
their merry laughter, and imagine how
they were enjoying themselves.
He thought, with bitter feeling il
his heart, that, but for some one O.
them he might have enjoyed the spor
too. He walked home from school tha
night as have said, feeling very un
com Portable. He had missed bit o
rare sport for one thing; for another, h
had found out that some one owed hin
a grudge; and another thing was-ant
John felt this most keenly perhaps o
the three-that the teacher seemed II
think he had shirked his lesson, anC
considered his story as an excuse to ge
, rid of a little labor.
The next day, as small boy wa
3 passing his seat, John dropped his pen
Gil. The boy picked it up and handle
, it to him. AS he did so, he whispered
5 "Joe Evans rubbed out your problem
3 yesterday saw him do it,"
4. "Don't tell any one !" John whisper
ed back, and the boy passed on.
II A week passed. A dozen times Joh
found opportunities to pay off his scol
l with Joe, but his better nature told hir
it would be more noble and manly
overlook the matter entirely.
o One holiday John obtained permi
sion to 60 TO pond about mile frol
= home to skate. When he reached til
y pond, he saw that Joe Evans was thel
before him. He sat down on the banl
q and commenced to strap on his skate
\ Just as he was fastening the buckle, b
. heard cry and the sound of crackin
ice, and looking up he saw that Joe ha
broken through thin spot and WI
. struggling in the water. Quickly
. possible he sprang to the rescue, an
by means of long pole, which ws
lying on the ice near the scene of I'll
accident, he succeeded in getting Jc
safely out, though greatly frightened.
"Oh, John" cried Joe, shiverin
o with terror and cold, "if you hadn
e have helped me out, should hay
Q drowned"
e 81 guess you would, ,"answered Joh
IS quietly.
n "And / served you in the way
If did !" cried Joe; 81 rubbed out yol
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