Barbour County index. [volume] (Medicine Lodge, Kan.) 1880-current, 1884-05-09

The quarrel between the boys was of
much shorter duration. In 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-estab-
lished. When September came and
the schools rc-opened the two lads be-
came school-mates and class mates.
Charlie was bright boy, aud his par
ents had kept him steadily ut school,.
and were very proud Of his attainments;
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, however. and
there would probably have been no
Jealousy on Charles side bad Il not
been been excited by home influence.
Mrs Cooper was bitterly jealous and
! onyious. and her sneers and innuendoes
did much towards making her son as
unreasonable and suspicious as her
self.
A few months after the school opened,
an examination was held for the pur-
pose Of promoting such of the scholars
~ were fitted for the advance to higher
departments in the school. Frank sun
derland was the only boy in his class
who was successful in passing the ex-
animation. though Charlie Cooper had
not been far behind him. and his heart,
and his mothers as well, had been set
/ upon his obtaining the promotion.
That he fail d 10 do so was, in itself,
n bitter Il appointment. but that Frank
/ should succeed where Charlie faile,l was
trial much harder TO endure. Mrs.
Cooper's undisciplined tongue wagged
| FIRE 'ly. and her opinion that the school
was conduct q upon the rankest princi-
/ pies Of favorit SIN was widely dissent
mated. She would even have been fool
ish enough to withdraw Charlie from
the school had not his father interposed
his rarely eNcrted authority aud put n
positive veto upon any such absurd pro-
ceeding.
As usual, Charles wrath soon evap-
grated. and as there was now no occa-
sion for actual rivalry between them,
the two lads got along very harmoni.
ously, and Frank was able TO do many
kind turn for Charlie. which the lat
ter, as general thing, fully appreci-
ated.
Though very well aware of the rumor
of Mrs. COopers feelings toward her
and Frank. Mrs. Sunderland was sensi-
bic enough TO feel rather amused than
| irritatcd, even when Mrs. Cooper's con-
duct, on their chance meetings, verged
upon actual insolence. The widow $
/ chcerfulness and politeness continued
/ To be quite invincible until the events
of certain morning proved to her that
forbearance had ut last ceased TO be a
/ virtue.
1t was a cold day in January; Frank
had gone 10 the well TO draw a bucket
OF wat0r. but found the well-bucket
half-full of ice, so that il would not
sink when lowered into the water. His
mother came TO his assistance, but sue
ceeded no better than he had done.
/ Charlie Cooper was ut the well in their
own lot, scarcely n stones thrown dis
tant, and he called out: Come fill 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. ) ust then Mrs. Cooper came out
/ OF the house and advanced towards
them; she brought another bucket 10
I'LL. one that was already half-full of
/ water. which she was shaking around
in the bucket, preparatory 10 throwing II
| out.
What are gou doing in my lot. sir.
may ] ask?" she said. rs she noticed
the intruder. Frank colored, and took
I up his still empty bucket.
"Ncver mind. Charlie" said he: ''we
can get the ice out of our own bucket;
| / II go back, now"
Charlie was provoked Mt his mother.
and his temper being as ill-governed as
her own, he turned towards her anoriIy.
/ crying: whats the use of being so
hateful? you ought TO be ashamed of
yourself ut which words his mothers
anger rose to tie exploding point.
/ 'Pll thank YOU tO mind your own
business, Charlie "copper" she said;
aud then turning ferociously upon in
offensive Frank, las for you. you young
haristocrat ] want you to get hoff nv
premises, and stay hoff 'em. We don't
want no favOr.tes round here" Then,
throwing the contents OF her bucket,
not absolutely Gt Frank. but with an
utter disregard OF what she was doing.
she dashed the water in such way that
the lad was completely drcnched
Mrs. Sunderland advanced to the
fence to help Frank, shivering and cry
ing. TO get over il. Her gentle temper.
proof against insults or attacks directed
upon herself. was ut last aroused.
Prank was very delicate child, and
the effects of such shower-b bath upon
such morning might be serious. With
flashing eyes and face flushed with in
dignation, she turned upon her enemy,
who did have the grace to look little
ashamed Of herself.
"Iou are n wicked, cruel woman.
Mrs. Cooper. and hencefor:h 1 will
have nothing to do with YOU" Then
she hurried Frank to the house, and
mingled her tears with his rs she helped
him To attire himself i'm dry garments.
The lad had n cold and sore throat
as the result of his drenching, and his
anxious mother, during the period OF
his indisposition, entertained towards
Mrs. Cooper resentment hearty
enough to have satisfied even DIR. John
son. Frank got well that time, how
ever, and was soon ut school again
bright and merry rs usual.
But he had several attacks of sore
throat before the winter was over, and
they left him so weak and puny that his
mother never before welcomed spring
weather so gladly rs she did that year.
Frank seemed to get quite well and
strong rs the warm weather came, and
there ore perhaps less prudent. for in
May. he again caught cold and came
home sick from school.
He was severely i'll from the first; in
a few days diphtheric symptoms de-
vcloped themselves, and twenty-four
hours later the bright young soul was
freed from its frail tenement, and Mrs.
Sunderland was n childless widow.
will not dwell upon her desolation;
the whole community sorrowed with
| hnr. nrnr,.hnh,, hnh lid $780,. l;aaI.