Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1886-05-06
HEELS AND TOES.
Or The Sort of Boy That Makes Man
ly Men.

the shoe he had been backing, gazing at
il well coHtentedly.
We'll. here's the other kind of grease,
she laughed, holding out bottle of oil,
in case your own gives out you know;
and am sure, Lou, if you do as well as
you do here. you'll be just perfect: but
there's one thing-don't forget to black
the heels! At the last exhibition most
of the boys forgot, and you don't know
how fuany it wasl Mamma whispered
to me, Look at their heelsr and sure
enough, as they went up on the rostrum
their boots were all Ted and rusty; but
when they turned around my. how
their toes did sbiDer
Both laughed merrily at this. and Lou
bestowed an extra polish on the rear OF
his own. resolved to be quite perfect to
night at least, for he WAS TO make him
self famous in the yearly exhibition by
decIaiuing 'Sheridan's Ride that neble
poem familiar to nearly every scholar.
lie had practiced it for weeks in his
room, in the barn, in the orchard, in the
woods. Even those thrilling lines
. "The affrighted air like shudder bore.
Like a herald, in haste, to the chieftain's
door,
The terrible grumble, the rumble, the
roaring out in his 'basest' tones, had
ceased to frighten the squirrels, while
bis loud shout of
"Hurrah! hurrah for Sheridan!
his mother had long since learned was
1ot not yell of terror, nor cry for
help-'only Louis speaking his piecep
Now the long-expected evening had
come. The new suit of clothes and the
shining shoes were on; the hands, which
had been so thoroughly exercised in ap-
propriate gestures, were scrubbed to a
whiteness which made them look unna-
tural even to himself; every line and let
ter of his piece stood out clear and
sharp on the wall of his brain-he was
thoroughly prepared.
Nan, who had good place with her
parents in the audience, watched hip as
he assisted in one or two choruses and
dialogues-not anything of. Importance.
but mere helps to ease and confidence
when his own great effort came and
felt sure be would succeed.
The pallor of excitement was becom.
ing TO his eager young face, and his close
clipped hair curled glossily uDder the
extra care of the last day or two.
oh, mammal she whispered. isn't be
splendid? I'm so glad he isn't clumsy.
like Seth briggs. and has hasn't that
awful squeak in his voice. like Cally
Jones; and almost every other boy has
clumpy boots, with rusty, red heels; do
you see?' For though her mother tried
TO check her, the sisterly admiration
would break out now and then.
At last, after some dragging, an inter
mission was announced, after which Nan
knew there was to be chorus, and then
the piece
He'll come and talk to us now, won't
he ?'she whispers to her mother.
Yes, probably and both waited with
much eagerness for his coming.
Nearly all the scholars appeared
amsug the audience for moment; the
girls huttered in, in groups, excited and
fine, the boys stamping in, one by one,
very stiff aBd self-conscious, to receive
the congratulations of admiring friends;
bnt to Mans disappointment and sur
prise, Lou never came.
Hes probably saying his piece over
for the last time said her mother.
We'll see him soon, now;' and both
watched the stage, with flushing cheeks
and eager eyes, as the chorus was sung.
and the professor rose to make the next
announcement.
We will now listen to a recitation
said he-and quick, electric look pass
ed between mother. and daughter-'by
Miss Susie Slater, entitled, After the
Ball.
'Whatr Nan sprang ap,almost Speak
ing aloud, and looked at her mother,
nearly white with surprise What could
it mean? But the latter whispered,
quickly:
Its put off little, for some reason.
Sit still. dearr And Nan composed her.
self again.
But more readings, music and dia-
logues passed in rapid succession. The
professor rose and thanked the audience
for their kind attention. The calico cur |
tain, after hitch or two, dropped to the
floor; and Louis had not once appeared.
Nan was sobbing by this time, aud her
parents hurried her homeward, knowing
it was useless to try 10 find her brother
in the crowd.
But as they opened he sitting-room
door after reaching home, the boy him
self rose slowly from low chair and
turned toward them, in the fickering
light of the open fire.
is it you, Louis p cried Nan, running
to him. Were you sick? Why didn't you
speak? We were so disappointed--'I
She stopped. for she now saw the traces
of tears on his face. pnd felt that his
hands trembled.
Ill tell you,' he began, in an uncer-
tain voice. 1t was just before intermis-
sion. Prof. Trent came to me and asked
if was sure l had my piece. | said,
y es. as sure as can be of anything
Then be cleared his throat and said,
We'll, it's growing late, and we will
have TO cut down the progrs mme. There
are a good many recitations and if
that is, either you or Susie Slater will
have to give up reclting. I'm afraid