The Daily times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1886-1889, 1889-09-08

Toms was painted 4 Coy \ head. crowned
by n carrot Of brilliant orange. while
around the edge ran a fantastic border
Of poppics, torches, tiainingoes. comets
and other objects Of sanguinary hue.
On the cover Of Annies book was a
swordlish, and the border was made up
Of elephants trunks, cranes bills. heads
Of Mr. Punch and other suggestive OBJ
iccis
Tom and Annie were In the highest
spirits as they sat side by side, writing
and numbering the remarks and jokes
missiles" as they agreed TO call them.
Annie's shyncss was quite forgotten, her
black eyes shone, and she was full of ami
nation. Bedtime came before the stock
OF missiles was exhausted.
The next day Mrs Burton again sug-
gestcd Annie's going to school, and she
made no objection. Annie was very much
liked by teachers and pupils, and she was
much less shy than usual; for, if she did
not succeed in forgetting her unfortunate
nose, she was cheer" the thought that
any remarks mad it would swell
ihe number recorded her blank book.
and she was becoming very anxious to
excel Tom in this regard. Annie thought
that her being a stranger gave Tom an
unfair advantage. but Tom said that was
balanced 10y the fact that "the fellows
knew he would thrash any one that spoke
OF his hair" Tom did not know that it
was his very rage at such illusions that
tempted the boys 10 make them. Before
long his old enemy. Sam Whitney, re-
turned to the charge.
"Ilello, Woodpecker" he callc1 out
to Tom. 81 wish you'd get your hair
cut If YOU don't I'll have TO get pair
OF green goggles to wear if you are go
ing 10 sit in front of me-
Get them, then" said Tom, saying to
himself, with a feeling Of satisfaction,
THAT makes lO1" Sam was surprised
at Toms GOODNESS, and kept on with
speeches intended 10 DO provoking
which Tom quietly recorded in his book,
bringing his number up to ll2. Tom
and Annie had agreed that joke re-
peatcd should count the same as new
one, Annie sagely remarking that old
jokes were the most provoking Of all.
After time, SO many such questions
arose that at Wills suggestion they drew
mp a set Of rules and formed themselves
into a secret society Of two members,
each wearing badge, on which was in
scribed the mystic letters F. r. \. J. s.,
signifying Personal Remarks and Jokes
Society" They each carried n little note
book, in which they made notes in kind
Of short hand Of their own invention, to
be aftorward copied into the larger book.
OF course, these badges and note books
excited the curiosity of the other pupils;
but Tom and Annie could not be per-
suaded to diyulge their meaning till, one
day, Annie said
tom, feel very sorry for Cornie
Scott. She is q dear girl, but she is
rather stout. and some Of the girls make
fun of her. Cornic never gets angry. bat
found her CRYING today, because Ida
Loring called her n porpoise. Suppose
we invite her 10 join our socieiyf'
agreed, said Tom, "if YOU will LET
me invite Ned Warren. Hes good fell
low, but some of the boys laugh at him.
because he's cross eyed.
The society. thus enlarged TO includ,
four members. began to hold regular
meetings. at which each member was
addressed hy "a name that had been origi
nally bestowed n deri-ion Annie was
swordnsh: Tom. Woodpockcr. Ne,
was known as Bat. While Conie cheer
fully responded to the title Of Por
poisc. Each had q book, modelled aftcl
those originally made by Tom an'
Annie. and diligently collected "mis
siles." though il was soon evident Cor
nie's would exceed nh the others. her lis
growing az wonderful rate. The so
ciefv grew more and more 10 be socia
club. and was soon joined by Charlie,
Gibson. o frecklcd boy, enrolled a
Leopard. and Emma Davis, a tall, thin
miss. who mcckly bore the title O
| Giraffe
Tho p. r. s. j. society was kept NJ
UiiiILa INC W l+Nl| ~ -AttiitH q. NN''s' $500
proved more useful than many societie
more preicntious.
When it came time for Annie TO re
turn home there was general regret q
her departure.
we shall miss you very much, m,
dear" said Mrs Burton. You hav
been like "a little sunbeam in the house
hardly thought that would be so whel
Won nrat came to us q little maiden al
lorlorn."
1--WE had only to wait till the ice wa
broken" said Miss Clara.
"Aud Think" said Annie, laughing
lit was my big nose that broke the ice.
"Or my red hair" said Tom.
"Your hair may have melted it, sal
b Will
And Tom never WINGED. hut onl
thought: Another joke! That make
2j3!r-Elcanor Harlow in The hide
b. |