, 1873-01-05
THE WORLD Of NUMBERS.


| rom jtGod8 LoHll0n L0Hsc, tHHudt-
Il d bad boy could have been possibility in
such Q model village as Haylington. Tommy
| Spfatt would have been that boy: but as it was
orefawed by the Vicar, the Wears wife, tho
| Wears three strong minded daughters, the
t EchoolmasteE, the schoolmist1ess, and the six
| pupil teachers. the natural ~iekednesa OF his
disposition only displayed itse1f in an intense
| hatred Of study, especially Of that division OF
the " RI" known as 'rithmetic.
"I bate figures, I do; I wished they vas
| ten, as one arithmetic afternoon he set of for
| school; es support for tho outer man during the
fndguing journey he carried in his right hand a
soddan piece Of gingerbread while with the other
| he restrained by string half-penny alr-ban,
| colored orange, destined to begui1e the tedious
hours.
Tommy 5prntt left his home with no other in
tention than that Of going straight to school :;
| but Tommy Spratt WAS mortal, and when he
came to where the road divided, and one hot,
dusty lane led to the echooi-room, where grimy
alate and acrapy pencil awaited him, while the
other meandered through green fields, he did
not even hesitate, but turned at once into the
shady paths Of temptation.
Ho cast himself on the grass, and prepared to
take an inrgorating taste OF the delicious
though crun,b1y refreshment be had provided,
La7ing frat carefully secured his air-bau to the
lcathern belt which, fastened by brazen buckle
IN the shape OF an uncoiling dragon, gathered
6s 4ad, hoSad soa SSstSo, 61Sess into sstsr graceful a
my's dereliction from the paths Of virtue
rendered him no longer ameuable to the laws Of
gravity, or whether tho air-bau WAS endowed
With supernatural powors,. it is impossible to
that instead Of Tommy keeping tho miniature
balloon down on earth, it, like Mr. Dtyden's
Timotheus.
Raised mortal to The skies.
"HuNo!" he cried, in ala1m- ssI don't Nko
this. Lot me- Co."
But, by degrees, he grew accustomed to the
sensation, and rather enjoyed It than other
wise; it was 80 pleasant, it soothed him to
slumbe1, Hlunber from which he was aroused
corner curb-stone.
How long he lay in state Of semi-insensibi1-
ity he never knew but at last he struggled and
sat upright, finding himself, the airbal still at
creatures. They all Of them varied in size, but
they were u8 q rule below the statu1e of human
beings, the most remarkable thing abont them
being that every one, like the sandwich men OF
London, carried 3 board on which WAS inscribed
every description Of number.
When they snw Tom open bis eyes, there WAS
one universal question" Who divides him p
Oh! please DON'T" said Tommy in mortal
dread. . amt at al good to eat, but this here
is." rendering them the remains Of the ginger
mass dhring the petile OF his journey
No one seemed inclined to take advantage OF
Master Spr.tt,s suggestion, but one stout old
man, bearing the. number Al, asked With dig
nifty:
care you even or uneven?"
Tom scratched his head, unable to reply, and
4 second broke in with
s'What's your number?"
"16," retorted Tom readily, that being the
number in Ba1aclava Cottages, Victoria Row,
who're Airs, spratt had lately taken up her
humble abode.
'.That you amt" cried an indignant voice
and short fussy gentleman burst from the
crowd, and pointed to the legend 16 inscribed
upon bis board; .Here, 2, 4, 81"
In Obedience to his call three numbers bowed
hurnbly before him."
''Chastise that follow!"
"That's rnean," blubbered Tom. s'Three
upon one! Yer ought to be ashamed Of YER
selves, yer ought. Give me- hand up, ono Of
yer"
The cry again rose, Who divides you ?" and
tho first stout man added, with somo con-
tempt,
II must. 2, run and fetch l."
"a, Fetch him yourself" retorted 2. II don't
divide you."
Al cast an anxious glance around, then CATCH
ing sight OF 8, he began promptly, i" 8, depart
and seek for / - when the hu11ied entrance Of q
newcomer rendered the despatch Of the mes-
He VAS = jaded, harassed boy, whose counten-
ance might have BEEN pretty but for certain
strained look Of attention. His whole body ap-
peared worn out with fatigue, az he feebly
gaspsd. <, r.. ,. IT
looking for you, s." he added, reproachful1y IA
the OTHER drew near. "The army want vol to
black their boots.". ...
Immediately started OF at rapid pace
while I6 eail f'~'
sCome, look aliyei Help that younestar out
of the gutter"
meekIY obeyed; but when be caught better
Wow Of Toms frure. he answered if5dipnantjv.
aHe hasn't eof number. [ don't see whv
should wait on him any more than the othera.
uDut. nv dear J." murmured 5. in a fona of
cuttiup contempt. "you know uou diyide averv.
thinc.R
And Al savinr. the crowd moyed on ia havine
first ordered 3, Z, aud s to cut away The a;r-haI1
from Tommy's waist.
1t any other time Master spratt would have he
walled the loss, but at that moment it passed M
noticed, as ne was intent upon his new compan-
ion, who inquired Of what he was to do with
this ttnnumbered boy, the adjective being Ut
tered with as much contempt as an inhabitant of
this wozld won1d throw into the term unlenered
"Take him to the King to be registered" re-
torted 8, and few OF to answer hasty sun-
mons from p.
!" What place is this r asked Tommy. meek1v.