Dodge City times. [volume] (Dodge City, Kan.) 1876-1892, 1880-10-23

ma am" a1
Johns mother got to her feet trem-
bling, a swift look of alarm-Of dismay
coming to the thin face. What if she
should have to go away back where she
could not hear his Grafton, and could
only half see him? What if she could
not get a seat at all?
She lost no moment in beginning the
search. Up one aisle and down anoth-
er she went, the poor face turning this
way and that in pathetic appeal. with q
half-crazed look in it.
Young women. young men, children
stared. smiled, giggled. but no one
offered seat II the piteous alarm in
her heart could have been seen as she
was suffering it, all the audience would
have risen to their feet and entreated
her acceptance.
Wearied at length with unavailing
wanderings. she turned to little girl
at the aisle end of seat.
I'm hold you on my lap. my dear, If
you'll let me have your seat" she said.
"Will you let me do it, mamma? l
want to-" the child said. turning an
eager face to the lady beside her.
The mother gave consent, and the
child stepped into the aisle.
When Johns mother was seated, the
fine lady said to her child, "You can
sit on mammals lap"
But Johns mother protested.
~ am younger than you, and can
better hold her." said the handsome
lady.
81 can't take the seat unless you will
let me hold her," persisted Johns
mother. And this she held to.
There could hardly have been
stronger contrast than these two women
presented; the one quantity Old-fash-
Toned in dress and manner, the other
faultless in style, quietly elegant, her
whole expression ineffably gracious.
81 wouldn't care" said Johns moth
er. apologetically to the other. "only
my son is a senior. and he's going to
make speech, and l naturally want to
hear him. A lad doesn't graduate but
once in q lifetime"
"Mamma's son is going to speak,
too; he's senior. toO!' said the child,
with eager pleasure, "Tll show him to
you when he comes in"
"What is your sons namer' asked
the elegant lady, wishing to show SYM
pathy.
'John Osborne"
al think have heard my son men,
ton that name. Let me think. Isn't
he pre-eminent in the class? Doesn't
he excel in debate, or is it in compost
tion?"
The faded eyes were glowing with a
proud smile, and the mother replied,
p" John does have the name. of being q
good debater. though l shouldn't have
mentioned it, if you hadn't asked for
There they comer' the child cried,
in loud whisper. Then she pointed
out her brother to the old lady, and
Johns mother pointed out her boy to
the girl.
my brother speaks his piece last.
Where does your son come on the pro-
said the child, labOring with
the printed document. "Oh, see his
name; here it is, next to the lastr'
Then the exercises began. As the
first speaker closed his address on
.. The Crescent and the Cross" flowers |
poured in upon him-bouquets, baskets,
crescents.
"Well, now, amt they pretty" said
Johns mother, in undisguised admira-
ton. "Ain't they nice? l never did
see the like"
THAT'S the way it always is" the
child explained. "The speakers al
ways get flowers. But, don't you be-
ieve?-last year there was one of the
seniors that didn't get any flowers. Oh,
did feel so sorry for him! His face
vas just as redr'
But the second orator was speaking.
When he had ended Johu's mother
ooked eagerly about. Again flowers
we're handed from this quarter and