Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1873-01-30
THE WORLD OF NUMBERS.

THE WORLD OF NUMBERS.
II bad boy could have been posi-
bIljty in such a model village as Hayling-
ton, Tommy Spratt would have been that
boy; hut, as it was, OveraWed by the
vicar, the wears wife, the wears three
strong minded daughters, the schoolmas,
Ter, the schoolmistress, and the six pupil
teachers, the natural Wickedness of his
disposition only displayed itself in an in
tense hatred Of study, especially of that
division Of the ''three Rs" known as
arithmetic.
Il hate fggers, l do; I wish they was
bowed soliloquized that hardened
youth OF ten, as one arithmetic afternoon
ae set of FOR school. AS support for the
outer man during the fatiguing Journey,
he carried in his right hand a sodden
piece of gingerbread, while with the other
lie restrained by string half-penny
air ball, colored orange, destined to be-
guile the tedious hours.
Tommy Spratt left his home with no
other intention than that of going straight
to school; but Tommy Spratt was mortal,
and as enc hot, dusty lane led to the school
room, where a grimy slate and scrapy
pencil awaited him, while the other me-
andercd through green fields, he did not
even hesitate. but turned at once into
the shady paths Of temptation.
He cast himself on the grass, and pre-
pared 10 take an invigorating taste of the
delicious though crumbly refreshments
he had provided, having first carefully Sc
cured MS air bali to the leathern belt,
which, fastened BY brazen buckle in the
shape Of an uncoiied dragon, gathered his
Holland blouse into graceful folds Now,
whether Mas.ar Tomany's dereliction
from The paths OF virtue rendered lin no
longer araenable 70 the laws Of CAVITY,
or whether the airball was endowed
with supernatural powers, it is impossi-
beto say; all that this veracious chroni-
Gle can tell IS, that instead of Tommy
Eeering the miniature balloon down on
earth, ii, ike Nr. DrNien's Timotheus,
Praised mortal to the skies"
sITunon he cried in alarm II don't
Ike this. Let ne 60"
<'B1t by degrees he grew accustomed
10 the sensation, and rather enjoyed it
than otherwise; it was SO pleasant, it
s0othed him to sIumber, slumber from
which he was aroused by a violent con-
Cfssi1n Of his head against corner curb
stone.
How long he lay in state of semi-in-
scnsibi!ity he never knew; but al last he
struggled and sat upright, finding him
self, The air-ban still attached to his belt
IN q crowd CT odd-looking creatures.
They al Of them varied in size, but they
were as q rule below the stature of human
beings, the most remarkable thing about
them being that every one, like the sand
wich men OF London, carried board on
which was Inscribed every description of
number.
When they saw Tom open his eyes,
fhere was one universal question: "Who
divides him?"
con. please don't" said Tommy, in
mortal dread az amt at all good to eat,
but this here is" rendering them the re,
mains o. the gingerbread, which had been
reduced to shapeless mass during the
perils OF his journey.
No one seemed to take any notice of
Master Spratts suggestion, but one stout
old man bearing the number All asked
with dignity:
Are you even Or uneven?"
Tom scratched his head, unable to re-
ply, and Il second broke in with:
"What's your number?'
90, replied Tom, readily, that being
the nunberin Bsiaclava cottages, Victoria
row, where Mrs Spratt had lately taken
up her humble abode.
''That you amt" cried an indignant
voice; and a short, fussy gentleman burst
from the crowd, and pointed to the le-
eend Ii Inscribed upon his board. "Here,
2, 4, 81
In obedience to his call, three numbers
bowed hum6ly before him.
t'Chastise that fellowr'
That's mean, biubbered Tom. "Three
upon one! Yer ought to be ashamed of
yerselves, yer ought. Give me a hand
7, one of yer"
The cry again arose: "Who divides
your" and the first stout man added, with
some contempt:
81 must. run and fetch l."
Fetch him yourself" retorted 2. 81
don't divide YOU"
Al cast an anxious glance around,
then, catching sight of g. he began
promptly: 'S, depart and seek for L.
when the hurried entrance of a new
conner rendered the dispatch of the mes
senger unnecessary.
He was faded, harrassed boy, whose
countenance might have been pretty, but
for certain strained look. of attention.
His whole body appeared worn out with
fatigue, as he feeb]y gasped:
<'Where's 80 I've been all over the
town looking for you, s." he added. re-
uroachfully, as the other drew near. ssThe
army want you to black their boots"
5 Immediately started off at rapid
pace, while Is said:
Come, look alive! help that youngster
out OF the gutter"
Imeekly obeyed; but when he caught
a better view of Toms figure, he answer
ed, Indignantly:
'SHe hasn't got number. don't see
why I should wait on him any more than
the others"
''But, my dear ~ murmured 3, in