Wood River times. [volume] (Hailey, Idaho) 1882-1915, 1886-04-20
ALWAYS IDLE.

School was over--at least, the chill
dren were supposed 10 have left, but
even now few fingered behind, talk
ing with great animation over the COM
ing holidays and the prize-drawing.
II expect Bert will be first in COM
position; his essays are always best"
one boy remarked.
yes, if he tries" answered the
other little dolefully. Il wish he
wouldn't, then there would be chance
for one of u.s."
Try! OF course he will. 1 say,
Bertr" Tom cried. rs q tall bright
looking boy passed.
Yes; what is it?'
"Are you going in for the compost
II should rather think so," Bert
cried in surprise. "WhyPn
81 thought 1 should like to know.
You see there might be a chance for
me II you didn't You are sure to car
~ off the prize"
Bert smiled and tossed his head
proudly.
We'll, yes, perhaps. You see, am
always first There is not one Of you
/ can't beat"
! You forget sidney Lennox."
!, "Lennoxl' Bert echoed scornfully.
81 am not afraid of him."
"Hc's awfully clever when he chooses
to exert himself"
Eyes. wien he does; but you know
he is always idle. do not think /
shall have him for rival"
"No, don't either. What pity he
is such an idle boy, always dreaming
never doing. Now, if l only had
ope-balf his bra.ns. ] would beat the
whole lot"
Bert smiled again, little triumph
antly; he knew he had nothing to fear
| from Tom. and after few moro words
the boys parted.
But it so happened that the few cars
less words spoken by them were not
unheard.
They had been standing beneath the
school-room window, never thinking
| that anyone was there; but pale
dreamy-looking boy, sitting by the
! open easement, dividing his attention
between his unlearned lesson and the
beautiful sunset sceno beyond, had
caught the words.
AS he listened the thoughtful look
died away, and was succeeded by one
Of mingled surprise and indignation,
the deep flush rising to his brow. show
ing the words had struck some hidden
chord in his heart, rousing him from
| his dreams to reality.
always dreaming-never doing"
came waited up on the summer breeze,
and Sidney felt, with shame, how true
those words were.
A sudden thought fitted through his
mind, and he pondered long after the
boys had gone away, until new re-
solve shone in his dark eyes, new
earnestness settling on the broad
brow; and rising, he flung his book
aside, and went in search Of his mas
ter.
"Mr. Selton."
"Ah. Sidney. is it youp Have you
mastered your lessonP' the school
master asked.
Eyes; but it is not that l wished to
speak about 1t is that want to put
my name down for the composition
prze."
Mr.. Selton gazed in some surprise at
his pupil; it was very unusual for him
to ask TO enter into the lists of compet-
itors for the prizes, but he said kindly
enouoh:
Very we'll. Lennox, 1 am glad to
see you are willing TO work. only
wish you would always try"
II am afraid am always too idle,
sir, but l think will turn over y new
leaf now, and begin afresh; perhaps l
shall get on all right"
Il am sure you would if you tried;
you are intelligent enough" said the
master.
Sidney flushed slightly at the praise,
and he inwardly determined to prove
the truth of the words. SO with this re-
solve he went home prepared to work
earnestly and diligently.
Bert Linton was very much sur
prised, when the list of competitors
was read aloud, to hear the name of
Sidney LennoX, and for a moment his
confidence of gaining the prize was
shaken, then he frightened up, for it
was we'll known that sometimes Len
nox commenced thing. then with his
usual dreamy indifference left it, and
forgot that he had ever began.
II did not know that you were go
ing in for this" he said later to Sid
ney.
''Oh yes. You see / haven't gained
prize since have been at school. so
/ think it is time to begin now" Len
nox answered, smiling.
Tom was even more surprised than
Bert, and his good-natured face took a
longer turn, as he thought how small
chance he had against two such good
composers.
But he groancd aloud when he heard
the subject he was to write upon,
1.-The First Rays of the Sum-" and his
heart was filed with despair.
"Whatever made him choose that. of
all things?" he said coniidenlially to
Bert. Il haven't tho faintest notion of
what to say, and expect that the sun is
here, and sometimes shines, and more
often doesn't. l don't know anything
further about it."
Bert also had a look of perplexity,
and he shrugged his shoulders as he
answered.:
''And l cannot tell you. 1t is the
most difficult thing wo have had as
/. yet. confess am Mt a loss myself"
''Wcll as long as I'm not the only
one, don't care" Tom said. signing.
81 wonder what Lennox thinksr'
ssHa Looks tho sapa nc ha o1-ars