The Elk County advocate. [volume] (Ridgway, Pa.) 1868-1883, 1878-04-25
ISHPO.

NOW the curiosity OF Une boys naQ
been excited for long time to discover
the meaning of "ishpo," or what other
letters put at the beginning and ending
of "ishpo," could make that ontlandish
word into anything possible to under
stand.
Many times the boys at the academy
had pondered over the enigma; even
men, in passing through the lane, would
look with some curiosity on the black
patch on the old red barn, and as they
hurried along into the city would say to
themselves:
"Ishpo;" and what is that, wonder :?
Every boy in the Greenville Academy
had thumbed Webster's Dictionary
nearest at hand in search of "Ishpo;"
and left the book no wiser for the search.
But the mystery of the old red barn
was to be unraveled at last. AS year
after year went by and the boys had be-
come used to the strange word, and
some of them entirely forgotten it, new
idea ACQUIRED to Dick.
He was enjoying half holiday and
was lying on the grass under the trees
on very hot day, when his eyes hap
pened to rest on the mysterious word.
1t seemed to have new meaning to
the boy, now. He had gazed on it for
years, but he now wondered why he had
never thought before to tear off the old
patch, and see if there were other letters
with ishpo But how to accomplish that
task without being seen by the owner of
the barn, who was sour-tempered old
man, he had yet to discover. Going
back to the school buildings he found
his comrades, and confided to them his
plan and asked their aid. All readily
joined in the undertaking, and they
formed themselves into q society for the
express purpose of discovering the ori.
gin and meaning of the word "ishpo. y
They were to wait for a dark night,
and then meet at the old barn, where by
the united strength of the party, they
could tear the old patch from the red
boards and examine the side nailed tc
the barn.
That very night was favorable for the
enterprise, for it was dark, and so very
close and uncomfortable within the
buildings that permission was given the
boys by the professor to take a stroll
down the lane, before retiring for the
night.
Eagerly they all set out for the old
ruin, but had scarcely gained the shelter
when the storm that had been gathering
for hours, burst in all it's fury of wine
and lightning, and the loose boards ant
trash around the barn were throw
about in great confusion, and the boy
escaped to the open lane.
The old red barn was blown down il
the gale
The next morning in the beautiful
sunshine the boys fastened to the spot
and there, still nailed to the barn, wa
the old patch with its mysterious letters
A few minutes and the old board wa
torn from the door and eagerly examines
by the boys.
The letter F was found, very brigh
from it's long imprisonment, to head tn,
word "ishpo,' and the two letters nj
ended the mysterious word.
"Nothing but fishpond," said th
boys, as they went back to school TO
he day.-Nea0 York Tribune.
DisnxreeabIe Habits.
1t is easy to form dlsagreeable habit
but not SO easy to drop it again. Per
sisted in, they become second nature
Stop and think before you allow yoursel
to form them. There are disagreeabl
naDlUS OI tne Douf, uhe sCoWllnS, "lHh
ing, twisting the mouth, biting the nails
continually picking at something, twirl
ing key, or fumbling at chain, drum
ming with the fingers, screwing an
twisting chair, or whatever you ca
lay your hands on. Don't do any c
these things. Cultivate calm, quie
manner. Better be statue than
jumping-j jack. There are much wors
habits than these, to be sure, but W
are speaking only of very little thing
that are only annoying when persiste
in. There are habits of speech, also
such as beginning every speech wit
"you see," or "you know" "now-a,
~ don't care" "tell you now." Indis
tinct utterance. sharp nasal tones, a slo1
drawl, avoid them all. Stop and thin
what you wish to say, and then let ever
word drop from your lips just as smootl
and perfect as new silver coin. Hav
a care about your ways of sitting, an
standing, and walking. Before yo1
know it, you will find your habits hav
hardened into a coat of mail that yo
cannot get rid of without a terribl
l.. IL.