South Branch intelligencer. [volume] (Romney, Va. [W. Va.]) 1830-1896, 1878-04-26

every word. The children hail stood
directly under1eath an open window.
where behind the btinds Flossie had been
seated eating The orange she had
found in her basket. Tie tears were in
her eyes as Willie turned away. but
they were moro happy tears than sad
ones. my goodness p she exclaimed
to herself, then it's he that's been put.
ting all these good things into my bssk-
ct and he cant get . gold watch be-
cause always knoF my lessons. On.
I wish could fail
She puzzled over II for along time how
she could manage 70 fail honestly. Tor
she said to herself: al Can never saw I
don't know il 1 do. when the questions
are asked me-"
At last she thought of q way. II
know how l can DO it." SHE said .day
after tomorrow comes our geography
review of the whole United States. and
won't even look at it, and then will
never remember everything, and I'll
surely fail. Then Willie will have nv
place. and get his watch. Oh, goody,
goody and Ill tell mama and papa all
about it, SO they will know I needn't
have failedi and Fun sure they will want
him to get the watch when tell them
how good he has been to me-"
And so for the first time for six months
Flossie went to school the morning of
the review lesson, hugging up she ge.
ography she had not opened. The class
was called. and Flossie stepped quick.
ly to her place.
'Oh, dear" thought Willie, .'she looks
so happy, I'm sure she knows every
answer IN the lesson almost wish she
wasn't quite so smart"
For time all went well. Flossie
couldn't miss on giving the principal
rivers. when asked she knew by heart.
Questions on the great lakes, capes.
bays. mountains, had to be answered
when put to her, because her mind would
remember them in spite Of her. At
last came the capitals Of tue States.
swell, Miss Flossie" asked tho teach.
er, "will you give us the capital of New
Mexico?"
For an instant she hcsitated, then
With look of delight that nobody but
herself understood, she answered, II
can't think, truly can't"
Flossie Lee had failed. and although
every one was astonished. no one look.
ed so distressed about it as the one who
had been SO anxious for SO long time
to get above her, and as the teacher
turned to him with. "Well, Master Fiske
can you help Miss Flossic out?" lie
answered:
Please. Miss Harding, if you would
only let Flossie think just minute,
I'm sure she would remember.
Its too late now," she replied, Il
have passed it to you. What is the cap
ital Of New Mexico?"
There was no look Of pride in Willie
face, and no remembrance of any
watch as he, answered in low tone
"Santa Fe."
Quick as fash. and with the bright.
est of smiles, Flossie stepped down and
out OF her place, and gently pushing
Willie into it, took the one lie left.
The scholars and teachers we're much
surprised to see her look 80 happy over
what 'hey thought would have made her
so miserable, but Flossie kept what she
had heard all to herself. and when after
few days Willie went to her and show =
ed her beautiful little GOLD watch that
MS father gave him for getting to the
head of the school, she was happier
than ever.
Years after. Flossie told Willie what
she overheard from the window that day,
and 1T was then that she found out who
1t was had been putting tine good things
into her basket, and then, too, for the
first time, how il was she came TO forget
the capital .of New Mexico ,Rnd the
| funniest part Of the whole story is, that
Willie has been giving her the good
things ever since. and he still likes
her the best of any girl in school" or
! out.
Ho! you can't fool me. Aunt Katy"
cried Joe, as 1 finished. "Flossie Lee
is Aunt Florence, and Willie Fiske is
our own Uncle willard all / have TO
say is good for Aunt Florence."-- Cold
en- Rue