Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1884-07-31

ed gradually from a ferocious into a
sulien raood, but lost no opportunity
of exhibiting her dislike aud ill-will
in the numberless little ways which
near neighbor can always make
available
The quarrel of the boys was of
much shorter duration. Ia the course
Of few days Charles red head was
again seen bobbing over the division
fence, and Frank being responsive,
the former intimacy was soon re-es-
tablished. When September came
and the schools reopened the two
lads became school-mates and class
mates.
Charlie was bright boy, and his
parents had kept MIN steady at school,
and were very proud of his attain
meats, but though he was two years
older than Frank, the latter was more
than his equal in school standing.
There was no brag about Frank, how
ever, and there would probably have
been no iealouslv on Charles side
had it not been excIted by home infu-
ence. Mrs. Cooper was bitterly ieal-
GUS and envious and her sneers and
innuendoes did much toward making
herson as unreasonable and suspicious
as herself
A few months after the school open
d, an examination was held for the
purpose of promoting such of the
scholars as were fitted for the advance
TO higher departments IN the school
Frank Sunderland was the only boy
in his class who was successful in
passing the examination, though
Charlie Cooper had not been far be
hind him. and his heart, and his
mothers as well, had been set upon
his obtaining the promotion.
That he failed to do so was, in it
self, a bitter disappointment, but that
Frank should succeed where Charlie
failed was a trial much harder TO en-
dure. Mrs. Cooper's undisciplined
tongue wagged freely, and her opinion
that the school was conducted upon
the rankest principles Of favorltlsm
was widely disseminated. She would
even have been foolish enough to
withdraw Charlie from the school had
not lis father interposed his rarely
asserted authority and put positive
veto upon any such. absurd proceed
ing.
Asusual, Charles wrath soon evap-
Grated, and as there was now no oc-
casion foractual rivalry between them,
the two lads got along very harmon
iously, and Frank was able TO do
many a kind turn for Charlie, watch
the latter, as a general thing, fully APP
preciated.
Though very well aware Of the ru-
NOR of Mrs. Cooper's feelings toward
her and Frank, Mrs. Sunderland was
sensible enough to feel rather amused
than irritated, even when Mrs. Coop
or's conduct, on their chance meetings,
verged upoN actual insolence The
widows cheerfuIness and politeness
continued to be quite invincible until
the events of a certain morning PROV
ed to her that forbearance had at last
ceased to be virtue.
1t was a cold day in January; Frank
had gone to the we'll to draw a bucket
of water, but found the we'll bucket
Ealf-full of ice, so that it would not
sink when lowered into the water.
His mother came tohis assistance, but
succeeded 10 better than he had done.
Charlie Cooper was at the well in
their own lot, scarcely . stones throw
distant, and he called out: Come Eli
your bucket here, Frank: our well IS
all right.
Without stopping to ask permission,
Frank scrambled over the fence, and
soon the two lads were laughing and
joking together as Charlie lowered the
bucket. Just then Mrs. Cooper came
out of the house aud advanced towards
them; she brought another bucket to
fill, one that was already half-full of
water, which she was shaking around
in the bucket, preparatory to throwing
it out.
what are you doing in my lot, sir
may / ask2' she said, as she noticed
the intruder. Frank coiored, and took
up his still empty bucket.
Never mind, Charlie, ~ said he;
Eve can get the ice out of our own
bucket I'll go back, now.
Charlie was provoked at his mother,
and his temper beng as ill-governed
as her own, he turned towards her
angry, crying whats the use Of
being so hateful2 you ought to be
ashamed of yourself at which words
his mothers anger rose to the eXplod-
ing point.
I'll thank YOU to mind your own
business, Charlie Cooper" she said;
and then turning ferocioasly upon
inotIeusive Frank, as for you, you
young haristoorat | want you to get
hof my premises. and stay hotf EN-.
We don't want no fayorites round
here. Then, throwing the contents
of her bucket, not absolutely at Frank,
but with an utter disregard Of what
she was doing, She dashed the water
In such a way chat the lad was com
pletely drenched
Mrs. Sunderland advanced to the
fence to help Frank, shivering and
crying, to get over it. Her gentle
temper proof against insults or at
tacks directed upon herself, was at
last aroused Frank was g very deli
cafe child. and the effects of such a