The National tribune., 1880-11-01
Johnny says Hero.

81 never knew Jack myself. He was grown up. and
great big long before born and I'm only ten
now But give you the story just as grandmother told
1t TO me and then can see for yourselves if Jack
wasn't just gdg
Grandmother lived then. She didn't live where she
does but in big brown house that stuck out the
rocks on the edge of town called Beeport wish she
did live now Wouldn't have fun going fishing and
catching crabs and sailing all around the island And
never'd come home to dinner---no not once And I'd
build hut down the beach where the dashes in,
just like all the other fishermen Oh dear But began
TO tell about Jack, so must hurry
''Weil--he in Belleport. That's where grand
mother first knew him. And he didn't have fun at all
not bit of it, He in hateful, dreadful old school,
where had been since he had been little bit of boy
And the master just pinned him down to work, work
ways carrying pals of water and setting tables black
ing the other boys boots and the masters I'd burnt
them first, would Grandmother knew what he did,
cause Mrs. Higginson, that's the masters wife
tell abodt it, and TO laugh and that all Jack
good for The idea When--well, / won't tell till get
through my story and then you you dont think
Jack worth all the rest of the folks in that old house
Jack was hungry often grandmother said cause she
found him down the rocks day. when he thought
there warnt nobody round and he kept wping his eyes
his jacket sleeve pretty fast And she got out of
him what the matter And then tell you, she took
him home with her, and stuffed him good. Don't wish
I'd been there to him eat At amy rate he had
square meal Grandmother says muSn tsay that tisnt
nice. | don't why-weil any way, he home
feeling good. And after that grandmother'd always
watch when he went by errands and give him cookies
and apples and dougnuts and Jack would always say she
the best friend he'd got and how he wante to do
something for her, and all that! And grandmother
laugh and tell him to along -he worked enough
home Ii he only grow rosy and fat that's all she'd
ask.
We'll, he didn't grow fat and rosy no. not with all
grandmothers stutfng but he just got thinner and
thinner every day till the boys called him odd Shingle
for name He had lots of other before
can't begin tell EN- all but grandmother says she used
o hear them shouting 'em out all the time. And he
couldn't hurl them back and give to them then
the MASTERED had to him of the class
rooms and he dreadful fond OF study, Jack Oh
almost crazy over it don't see how he could be, but
he was, Aud he'd get up just he could
wink every morning, and dig away like everything. And
he always the head of every class except when
had stay out to be whipped for something other
errand And that made the other bows angry
So then they'd 'shoo' him round and complain of him
And then he'd get more boots to black and pals
carry and so on till it got worse and worse.
We, the boy that the hatefullest to him of the
whole lot the masters Aad he was bad TO his
father and mother And then he'd beg Jack
tell of him when he him lching things and getting
the jam-po and everything else, and they always
called him Herbie love-; that's what grandmother says
Ibis father and mother did. But he wasn't Herbie,
and sly; but they'd go shares with him in plaguing
Jack though, and trying find ways spite him.
One day. grandmother says, she heard Mr. Higginson
telling the boys they could have half-holiday A but
Jack he said He wanted him go down to the Point
to buy some fish. Such hurrahing and tossing up of
caps, grandmother said, as followed then She in
Mrs Hggilson's parlor, and heard the whole. And
pretty she started home to be there ready hand
out the cookies when Jack went by with his basket for
the fish.
'ssDirty old shboy' sang the masters boy, sitting
the highest post by the gate seeing Jacks face
when the master said halfhoday' / tell you, Jack,
amt glad you won't be along with u.s. We are going
to have fun I'm going after gulls eggs that's what
III do with my half Yes sir!'
"sOh, no, Herbie, love- screamed Mrs Hggnson.
And grandmother says she ran down the path and she