Springfield globe-republic. (Springfield, Ohio) 1884-1887, 1886-09-12
JACKS ALF-H0LIDAY.

ne DOES looked AJ eACn OLneT WITH
grins of delight when Mr.. Bradley an
nounced that he had just received tele-
gram informing him of the dangerous ill
ness of his mother; that he must 90 TO
Walfori immediate, and that there would
be no school in the afternoon. They did
not grin because Mr. Bradley's mother
WAS dangerously ill, but because, being
boys. this fact was wholly lost to view in
prospect of "A half holiday. George Ray
burn, usually sedate and dignifed, con
descended to look up from the absorbing
pages Of his Virgil John Barnes uttered
an exclamation of delight, but was
brought to a consciousness of his ill-timed
expression by a reprOachtul look from the
teacher that made him blush with EN-
barrassment. 1t also checked subdued
whistle from Jack Browning The first
thought that flashed into his mind was
that the long anticipated excursion to In
dian Ford, which ne and the Dean boys
planned. could be carried out immedi-
ately, and need not be postponed until
Saturday.
The boys put their books away with
very perceptible tlutter aud murmur that
were unusual in Mr.. Bradley's well-dis
ciplined school. where the pupils Obeyed
because they loved and respected their
teacher After a little delay, they were
formally dismissed and trOoped dOwn the
street. running, shouting, singing and
whistl!ng. the sound of their jubilant
young voices dying away in the distance.
The day was one to tempt a recluse out
Of doors. The sky was deeply blue with
out a c.Oud. A gentle breeze stirred the
boughs of the apple trees near the win
dows. The bees flew back snd forth to
to their hives their wOOlly thighs pow
dered with pollen. Birds chlrped and
flutterei in the shade: clouds of yellow
butterflies settled down upon the damp
places in the roal, closing and unc!OS ng
their wings in the warm sunshine. The
rain Of the preceding night had cooled
the atmosphere and freshened the grass
and foliage to shining greenness- But the
sad and weary teacher had little tn rugIt
for the day with all its loveiiness. He sat
at his dask arranging books and papers,
and had just signed MS name to brief
note which he had written to one of his
patrons, postponing an engagement for
the evening. A slight noise startled him,
and he turned to see Jack Browning,
standing in the doorway, holding his hat
in hand, waiting for recognition.
We'll, J ick, what is ity' inquired Mr..
Bradley; adding kindly, "Come in
Jack advanced to the teachers desk
and said hesitatingly:
Il only came back to apologize, Mr..
Bradley. | hope you won't think meant
to be disrespectfuL I'm really sorry your
mother is sick, and wanted to tell you
So My own mother is sick, and know
how it goes with a fellow"
Just like he boyI7 thought Mr.. Brad
ley, laying lis hand gently on Jacks
shoulder. 81 haven't a doubt Of it," he
said, after a little pause, with rather Il
husky tremor in his voice. Il should
have forgotten so trtfling a matter If you
yourself had not come back to remind me
Of it. understand perfectly that no of
fense WAS meant. Go now, and do not
let my trouble spoil your holiday"
And JACK, thus dismissed, rrjoined his
mates, the teacher looking after him affec-
tionately.
As Mr.. Bradley had said, it was lust
like him." the generous, impulsive boy,
who had strangely intsrminC Cled with boy
his courage and disregard Of physical pain
he tenderness and sympathy Of girl.
He was the champion of all the abused
dogs and cats in -. neighboI hood; he had
numerous pensioners among starved and
overworked horses. He spent hours
amusing very little children, and fire.
| quently took long walks abroad with a
| following of juveniles, diminishing in
/ size like the dwindlIng tail of kite. But
on the ball ground he was the leader, and
| in leaping running and swimming he had
no rival So proud were his chums Oi
his accomplishments t. i they forbore tC
ridicule characteristic that, otherwise,
would have subjected him to merciless
teasing.
There was somethi in the honest can,
dor of his freckled. good -humored face, In
the steadfaSt expression of his brown eyes,
that stopped tie oatn or tne WI gar JOKE
upon the lips of hi, Classmates. stu, h
was a thorough boy, loving fun and en-
joyirg TO the utmost the many and var:eC
projects he undertook and carried out.
The BrowningS were a numerous fam
ily-three ru -gei, romping boys and a:
many girls, the former requiring sur
pris!ng quantity of food and clothing
which their hard, working, ploddinI
father did not find IL an easy matter t
provide But lun, freedom and the un
failing affection that sweetened thel
daily life, more than compens ated TO
luXuries, or even comforts that were lack
ing
Jack had no difficulty in collecting th'
Deans, and at lunch Tom and Fred, th
older boys, announced tnat they woult
accompany the expedition This was al
unexpected pleasure, which left nothing
lacking in Jacks prospective happiness
The baskets were packed, and were pu
into the wagon with the fishing tackL
and hammock, while the boys surge
round the side gate, impatient to be on.
There was one serious drawback Z
their enjoyment. As Jack had told Nj
Bradley, their mother was ill Her cor
dition was not alarming. but she was u
able to leave her bed, aud there had bee
no perceptible change in her condition IL
three weeks Her ailment was Io'
fever, from which the doctor said IN
would speedily recover could she be IL
, duced to take food and to sleep, which sh
, had scarcely done up to this time. Jack
affectionate heart smote him, and he to!
: the others 10 go, saying that he won!
/; overIake them, and then went into tn
darkened chamber 10 see If there was an
little service he could perform befor
leaving her. The two other girls, W.T.
2 were teachers, had gone back to schOO
Ellen, the younger, who had been L
stalled as nurse, had gone to her room +,
a nap, having had little sleep the nigi
before. She had left the medicine and
| glass OF water on the table at the bedsi i
= and a watch was ticking monotonousiy
= the stiffness.
e "Can do anything for you, mother
( Jack asked, approaching her.
/. yes, my son." sac answered, looking
e him tenderly her eyes bright with feve
e a scarlet spot blazing on either chee
t aYou may give me drink of water Wi
I your own hands
II Jack gave her the water, tenderly raj
+ ing her head with his arm under the p