Wessington Springs herald. (Wessington Springs, Aurora County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1891, 1885-03-27
BASIL STOUT.
My Dull school-Boy, and How He
Proved Himself a Hero.

and girls than those of the Rocky
Mountain region of America can be
found in any part of the world. Their
parents are ambitious, energetic and
versatile. There is no important vii
lage in Colorodo that does not COM
prise among its inhabitants scholarly
men and cultivated women. On the
shortest notice you may form a COM
pany that will do justice to a cantata,
or give a creditable dramatic perform
ance. The children of such people
delight the heart of a school-teacher.
In the school at Chrysalis the whole
of Friday afternoon was devoted to
defamation, dialogues, composition
and music.
The pupils astonished me by the ex-
cellence of their r~ehearsals. One of
the largest boys, however, was an ex-
ception. He was often the subject of
my anxious cogitations. Although
very industrious he seldom knew bis
lessons. He had broad. shoulders. a
round head covered with thick hair,
straight and black. and attracted YOU
by dark brown eyes of very pensive ex-
preston. The mobility Of the mouth
surprised me; for the boy was taciturn.
and 1 thought him stolid. I observed
him on the playground, and several
times went fishing and shooting with
him.
He reminded me of the strength, the
cunning and the instructive sleight and
agility of wild animals. His evident
fondness for me, and his docility, sug-
gested the parallel of a faithful dogs
attachment to his master. [ CON
sidered myself an accomplished sports
man. BY virtue of what special quail
tications did this adept so easily excel
me in woodcraft? Wa his pre-emi-
nence here due to instincts that owned
his closer kinship to u%nrefectine
,creatures?' If, on the other hand, It
proved his possession of remarkably
quick perceptive faculties, why was he
so stupid in school? While his eyes
were on his book, was his mind in the
Forest? l would make him study! 1
would be severe!
For months I was alert to detect
signs of inattention in Basil. None
appeared. l witnessed only his con-
scientious and painstaking application
to study; but often while he was busy
at his task his countenance wore an
absent or dreamy expression.
The classes were large; Basil Stout
was usually at the foot, or near the
foot, of all the classes except that in
arithmetic.
One Friday afternoon in January
many friends of the pupils were pres
ent in the schoolroom. For a fort
night 1 had kept constantly before the
dull boy the necessity Of preparing
carefully for the occasion. The other
scholars acted well their parts. Basil's
urn came. With visible trepidation
he mounted the rostrum and attempted
to declaim. He stammered through
several sentences. then stopped, un-
able to utter another syllable. For a
minute he fumbled the selvedge of his
jacket, then cast toward me an appeal
ing look Of depreciation and agony. 1
impatiently gave him a sign to quit the
stage. He hurried to his seat, folded
his arms upon his desk, and, bow.ng
his head upon them, concealed his agi-
tated face. When school was dis
missed he fingered until only he and I
remained in the room. 1 was busy.
Diffidently he approached me. 1 did
not deign to notice him. He moved
Gneasily about my desk, but did not
venture to address me. I was incensed.
Finally | fixed my eyes sternly upon
aim, and spoke:
Basil Stout, go home and tell your
mother | can never make anything of
you but a Ounce"
His mouth moved as if he was vainly
trying to speak; that pathetic express
sion I have sometimes observed in the
>ycs Of a dumb animal wounded to
death was in his face. For a moment
he stood confused, then hurried from
the room.
The sky had been overcast all day.
The clouds became each hour thicker,
and threatened a heavy fall of snow.
When l locked the school-house door
the fine flakes were filling the air, and
the wind was rising. l looked toward
the mountains. Dimly seen through
She Snowy veil. they were enveloped III
clouds. The prospect toward the
xs2ins was obscured by the thiekauing
atmosphere.