, 1878-03-08
Reginald's First School Days.

RpUIidlu Y lISt pCuODl buyos
One frosty morning IN January, two
delicate-looking children were sitting be-
fore a blazing fire in long, low nursery,
with oak rafters running across the cell
ing. Between them lay a great shaggy
dog.
"You will take good care of Rover
whilst am away" said the boy, winding
his fingers in Rover's shaggy hair, and
leaning his head against him.
eyes, he shall go for walk with me
every day, and in the twilight / will
talk to him about you," answered Alice !;
"you might send messages to him in
your letters" she added.
"Would you understand them, old fell
low2n asked Reginald, lifting up the dogs
head, and looking into his eyes.
The dog wistfully returned his masters
gaze, ana gave him his paw.
81 believe he understands" said Regi-
nald, throwing his arms around the dogs
neck. sob, Rover, Rover, if l could
only take you with mew
"It would not be so bad then," sighed
Alice.
Itwon't be really bad when I get ac-
customed to it, Just at first it may be
strange, but shall be sure to like one
out of the forty boys. 1t going out into
the world, and my father says it is we'll
for boy to learn his level early. On the
whole, am glad am going; it is only
the first bit of it that one is not sure
about"
1t was large room, with desks and
benches on either side, and an aisle, az
Reginald called it, up in the middle. 1t
had four large windows looking out on
the playground, and fireplace at each
end, round which some dozen or two of
boys were clustered.
Reginald advanced toward the fire.
place at the lower end of the room, hop
ing that some one might speak to him,
and rid him of the strange, uncomfortable
feeling that crept over him; but none
of. the boys spoke, though they re-
gaded him critically, as if measuring the
sort of being he was before committing
the mselves to any closer acquaintance.
So he sat down on bench halfway
down the school-room, tried to look un-
conscious, and half wished himself at
home again.
"Have any Of you fellows got a knife2
/ want to cut this piece of string" said
tall boy, addressing the group generally.
In moment Reginald had taken out
his knife, and offered it to the speaker.
"Ah," said Thompson, the tall boy, "a
capital knife. Much obliged, will bor-
row it for the present" and, after using
1T, he quietly put it into his pocket.
Some of the boys laughed. One of
them, however, murmured, in an under
tone, "What great shameW
Reginald's color rose. He walked
straight up to Thompson.
viii you please give me my knife
again9"
Thompson looked surprised.
"No, ] shall please to do nothing of the
kind, You offered it, and l accepted it.
An offers an offer.'
81 lent it to you TO cut the string"
"fou did not say So"
II do not think it just of you to take
my knife in that way" said Reginald,
thoroughly aroused; "and if you do not
return it at once l shall speak to Dr.
Field about it.n
"oh," said Thompson, coolly, .you're
sneak, are you2"
The boys, who had been gathering
round Reginald admiring his pirit in con,
fronting the tall boy, now drew back, and
the words ''tell-talel" "blabw "sneakIH
we're distinctly heard. And Reginald
found himself standing alone, deserted by
those who had drawn near in sympathy
with him, for Thompson was the tyrant of
the school.
Presently, when the boys had returned
tc their places by the fire, and Reginald
was apparently forgotten, merry.look-
ing boy, year older than himself, sat
down by him.
NO" said he, "you must not say any
thing to DIR. Field. You must let YOUR
knife go,and learn wisdom for the futtire.n
Reginald looked up.
"lts mean and unfair" he said.
"That may be; but the boys would saw
1t was meaner stillto complain. One has
to put up with things of this sort at
school and make the best of them"
What's your nameln asked Reginald,
suddenly, for there was something about
the boy that he liked, and he thought