The Vancouver independent. (Vancouver, W.T. [Wash.]) 1875-1910, 1878-02-28
Reginald's First School DAYS.

One frosty morning In January, two
delicate looking children were sitting be-
fore a blazing fire in long, low nursery,
with oak ratters running across the cell
ing. Between them lay 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.
"Yes, he shall go. for walk with me
every day, and in the twilight l 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
lowi" asked Reginald, lifting up the dogs
bead, and looking into his eyes.
The dog wistfully returned his masters
gaze, and gave him his paw.
II believe he understands" said Regi-
maid, throwing his arms around the dogs
neck "Oh, Rover, Rover, if l could
only take you with me!''
ut would not be so bad them" sighed
Alice.
1T won't be really bad when | get &C
customed to it. Just at first it may be
strange, but shall be sure to like one
out of the forty boys. 1t is 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 a large room, with desks and
benches on either side, and an aisle, as
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-
garded 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 scbool-room, tried to look un-
conscious, and half wished himself at
home again.
Have any of you fellows got knife
I want to cut this piece of string" said
tall boy, addressing the group generally.
In a 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 Dor
row it for the present" and, after US ing
it, he quietly put it into his pocket
Some of the boys laughed. One of
them, however, murmured, in an under
tone, "What great shame"
Regirald's color rose. He walked
straight mp to Thompson.
"Ni;' ~ please give me my knife
agaiu.
Thompson looked surprised.
No, / shall please TO do nothing of the
kind. You offered it, and accepted it.
Al oilers an offer
II .eot 1t to you TO cut the string"
You did not say So"
81 do not think it Just of you TO take
my knife in that way" said Reginald,
thoroughly aroused; land if you do not
return it at once | shall speak to DIR.
Field about il"
"Oh,' said Thompson, coolly, you're
sneak, are yOIf"
The boys, who had been gathering
round Reginald admiriDg his pirit in CON
fronting the tall boy, now drew back, and
the words "tell-tale" "blab!' "sneak I"
were distinctly heard. And Reginald
found himself standing alone, desc rted by
those who had drawn near in sympathy
with him, for Thompson was the tyrsnt of
the school.
Presently, when the boys had returned
to their places by the FIRE, and Reginald
was apparently forgotten, q merry look
ing boy, year o der than himself, sat
down Oy him.
NO" said he, "you must not say any
thing to DIR. Field. You must let your
knife go,and learn wisdom for the future"
Reginald looked up.
Its mean and unfair" he said.
THAT may be; but the boys would say
II was meaner still to complain. One has
10 put up with things of this sort at
school and make the best of them"
Whats your nsmel" asked Reginald,
auddenlv for there uaa samething about