Thomas County cat. [volume] (Colby, Kan.) 1885-1891, 1885-04-02
EDI1H'S OBJECT LESSON.
Making Footprints Which Can Never B'
E:TaccG.

EEaccG.
Edith had Just come in from walking;
and, as iual. she had book under her
arm. Fer if Edith's walks did not lead
her near he library building. they were
apt to tH-n in the direction of some ac-
guaintanc2, or schoolmatc, who was
ready tc lend q perfectly splendid
book.
She hastily put Off her wrappings, and
was sooE costly nestled in an easy
chair, so deeply in the new volume that
she ncVor noticed gran Ina entrance,
much less thought to offer her the com
Portable sea-; so deeply Interested that
she gave no heed to her mothers re-
quest to put on little Fred his rubberS
and mlttcnS, uniil TIE request was
twice repeated: and then, | am sorry
to say, Edith clio ed her book and went
with very bad grace, and 4 decided
frown Oh her brow, to attend to the
little brother.
And all through the evening, instead
of adding anything to the social enjoy
ment of the family. Edith sat apart. her
pretty head bowed over the book in her
hand. Uncle VIII was visiting at the
house, and had noticed how
very much rea ling his young necc
seemed to accomplish. At first. he was
pleased; for Unc,c VIII was very fond
of book. AID thought Edith was devcl-
oping good literary taste
Hyf uha, no f,ll-aJ with hn,. l,,,,t
standard works of history and fiction.
he was surprised to find how very little
she knew of his fayoritcs. He was not
long surprised when he began to exam
inc some of the many volumes which
Edith brought home with such fire.
quency. among her School-bookS. bor-
rowed from other girls, or loaned from
the library.
The Bride of the Wreck. Ghost of
Ravens Hall. or Last Her of Merton,
were not exactly the kind of reading
Uncle VIII thought best fitted TO foster
fine, pure taste. or make a young
mind and heart stronger and better.
He said nothing yet to Edith: but he
thought a good deal of his bright.
pretty niece, and his eyes were often
fixed thoughtfully upon her, rs she
pored over he" books. or sat dreamilv
gazing into the fire when the shadows
grew too thick to see the pages filled
with such unreal but fascinating tales
Uncle VIII was perhaps little
graver than usual this particular even
ing. AFTER Edith was SO ungracious in
performing simple duties.
Have You any special engagement
after school tomorrow be asked,
when Edith babe him goodnight
She looked up brightly, for Uncle
Will so frequently had a nice treat on
hand
mo, sir; only to take back Fanny
Merle's book. and get one Ellen Win
ton promised to lend me-
Il viii send back the borrowed book.
AID the other can wait, am sure.
want You to go to the museum with
me-"
''Oh. thank You, Uncle viii! That is
so very nice"
Edith was I'll ready at the appointed
hour. She had been to the museum be-
fore-ycs. many times-but going with
Uncle VIII was quite different to going
with any one else. He had away OF
telling about the beautiful pictures and
statuary. and various curiosities, that
made them seem something more than
mere canvas and paint, and marble or
bronze.
And so to-day they went slowly from
one department TO another. looking at
the wonderful, beautiful objects, and
Uncle VIII talked so pleasantly about
many things. and answered Edith 5
questions clearly and plainly.
At last they stopped before case
full of many strange things.
Look, Uncle viii" said Edith;
''what is this piece of grey-looking
stone with these funny marks upon it?H
Cannot you tell9 Look closelv,-
said Uncle VIII.
Il don't think it is writing of any
kind. saia Ellen. peering into the case.
They look ike-yes. | am sure they
must be bir1i-tracks of some kind. But
SO large"
They are bird-tracks. my dear. The
foot-marks CT some great fowl that
lived ages ago. when the stone YOU see
was soft, miry mass. on which these
claw.pr'ntS vera easily impress ed"
''iiow very strange, sad Edith, $50
esak thai 8 bird lisiag 80 ssag ago