Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1879-12-22
syluath's Column.
ABBY'S WISH.

her little brother and sister, were out
playing on the grass, for they were too
young to study much yet. 1t was
bright, beautiful morning. much too nice
to stay in the house, Abby thought.
"Oh dear / never shall learn this
old geography lesson in the world ]"
groaned Abby, giving the book little
Jerk. IL wish l could know my lessons
without studying them. Wouldn't that
be nice? 1t would be just like fairy
like" continued Abby, and she fell to
thinking how fine it would be. 1t was
such delightful idea that pretty soon
she forgot all about her geography les
son, aud dropped the book on the floor.
And think she leaned back in the
chair, with her head over on her shout
der.
And here the funniest little old man
came into the room that Abby ever saw.
He was dressed in a long old-fashioned
coat, such as she had seen in charade
once, and he had red flannel cloak on,
although it was warm weather. He
wore the oddest-shaped, pointed hat,
with gold tassel dangling down about
his very large ears. His small eyes
twinkled under long grlzzled eyebrows.
This curious person walked straight
into the room without knocking just as
if he were an old friend of the family,
and looked saucily at Abby.
"Who are you? And what are you
here for 2" cried Abby, in intense aston
ishment.
The funny old man came up step or
two nearer, and shook his head at her.
"What do you want here ?" asked
Abby, moving back little. She would
have been afraid of him if his face
hadn't been so comical.
IL am Mr.. Wise Without Work. I'm
the one who makes children know their
lessons without studying" and he caper-
ed about the room in high glee.
That's just what was wishing for, "
cried Abby perfectly delighted. "How
glad l am you've come
eyes, yes, know" said he dryly.-
"When shall we begin about this bust.
ness 2"
ooh, right away r. replied Abby
don't wait minute
Upon this the man took long. hollow
stalk from his pocket, and putting ont
end into his mouth aud the other a
Abby's ear, blew with his might, 81
quickly she hardly knew what he wa
about
chow queer !" exclaimed Abby. rub
bling her ear, and not liking it very well
"Yes," said the odd little man; ''bu
it's the best way to get at the brains
You won't have any more trouble witt
lessons and he put the long stall
back into his pocket with great care.
True enough, in minute Abby foun
that she knew her geography lesson pei
fectly we'll, though it was much harde
one than common, and all her other lei
sons besides. She could bound ever
State in the Union without making
single slip, and as for arithmetic exam
pies, that had always been her gre;
trouble in school, she could explain thel
as glibly as Madame Maison could tai
French.
Come on now Start for school
ordered the little man, and he dance
out of the room, and disappeared dow
the street.
So Abby started at once. At schot
she recited the best lesson of anybod
She didn't miss once.
"How we'll you've done p' said b,
teacher, smiling, after they had all bee
dismissed. =. cd
And it was so the whole term. N
body did SO we'll as Abby. Finally Il
last day came. ....I..a
al shall be sure to get the prizes
said Abby to herself.
Some one called at the school-roo
door that day, and spoke to the teach
in low voice. None of the childr
knew who it was but Abby.
81 wonder what that funny old mi
wants r. she said to herself.
Imagine how surprised Abby W
when the prizes were read off, and s
didn't get single one. All the CHI
dren looked around at her, and th
they looked at each other. She felt b
cheeks burn like FIRE.
I'VE never give prizes here except
those who earn them" said the teach
"No child can get prize who dOesl
study y looking straight at Abby.
Abby was perfectly overwhelmed wi
confusion. She felt as If she shou
sink through the floor. She started
get up and walk out, away from all the
eyes.
She dreamed she got up and walk
out of the schOOl-rOOm, but In real
she started up in her own chair at hol
and opened her eyes.
"L-L-icant-the prize =" gasp
Abby. There sat her mother lOoki
straight at her.