Union County courier. [volume] (Elk Point, Union County, D.T. [S.D.]) 187?-1913, 1891-10-16
DANNY.
4 Fane,fni sketch. but Too Oftsa Seen In
keal Life.

baby. Now | want to know what
this sort of nonsense means. DO you
want tn Dc a dunce?"
''Nn-o. sir" said Danny. AS he
stmd al his fathers knee, he twined
the fingers Of his small thin hand in
and out of that large strong one. ~
only wanted to wait, papa, till next
month. It's SO nice in the woods
with the birds and flowers"
Birds and flowers. Any one
would think you were "a little girl.
Well, sir. don't want any more such
nonsense. ] expect you to he ready
on the first day OF school, and you've
got to learn your lessons, too, re,neln-
ber, no shirking."
1t would he hard to relealizc that
Danny was only child. hearing the
harsh words Of the father. But that
was his way. People apologize for
such men by that phrase. God help
those who cross that '.way:" they
must either grind, or themselves be
ground.
When Danny's fathsr left the room.
II
and with his elbows on his knees and
his sharp little chin supported on his
hands. he locked out of the window
up 10 Il SQUARE af blue sky just yisihic
above the curtain. He was thin and
peaked. and very miserabl about that
school business
Danny hates to learn anything"
his father was saying in an aggressive
tone to Danny's mother in the next
room.
II don't think it's that, exactly"
answered his wife patiently: she is
not well, and he does love the country
SO. And You would be surprised. Ru-
fus, to see how much he learns there.
Why, he was so Interested in The
bees that he knows all their habits.
and really you would be pleased to
hear how well he can talk"
''BceS.' echoed Danny's father. and
there was a contemptuous infection
to his voice that told what he thought
of such knowledge.
Danny did not so back to the coun-
try, but staid at home to be ready for
school, which began in two weeks.
1t grieved him to think of his dear
birds and bees without him, but he
got out his books. and rubbed up his
knowledge OF arithmetic in obedience
to his fathers order. 1t was a funny
performance for his mother did not
know much more about it than he
did.
a few. days later Danny sat with
his hand in his mothers, talking very
fast.
''Why the bees know me, mamma.
and they can tell an enemy from a
friend, and l saw them bringing in
the honey--and oh, mamma. | know
y place where there's a tree fun al
sweet apples--and there's the light
house, know what It's for, to keep
the ships from driving on the rocks
and / never learned such nice lessons
ut school,"
'.But, Danny, you must learn 10
read and write, and say your lessons.
All little boys must.
'.Must they, mamma? When it's
warm summer, and the woods SO
green and cool, and the birds, birds
everywhere, and the ponds full OF
lilies and cat-tails? Eve learned such
lots Of things. Why, mamma, it's
ever so much better than books.'
Then he told her of the wasps' nest
he had seen under the caves Of the
barn when he was In the country, and
Of the sheep with dear little white
noses, that came and nibbled salt out
OF his hand, OF the swing in the or.
chard that went up-up SO high, and
let the old cat die, and then he laid
his tired, heavy head, that felt twice
two big for his body, down in his
mothers lap and still babbling of the
country, went to sleep.
II was night when he awakened,
and 1t was so strange. He felt 80
light and queer. Was that his father
sitting by, speaking in such low
voice? And that was surely the doc
tor who came to see him when he was
sick. II was all 50 funny that he
laughed loud and long in a voice that
did not sound a bit like his own.
.sThe bees, !" he said, s.lots Of 'em
buzzing in my head. This isn't the
country, is it, mamma?''
.'Seven from nine plus obe--mlam.
ma. l saw a yellow-hammer to-day.
Six from six, no,lght to carry and
he caught poor worm--hnw does ii
go, mammal hate 'rithmetic..
He knew his mother aud wondered
why her face was wet and shining.
Il can't learn my lessons, /" he fee.
bly, complained; they're too hard and
the bees are all mixed up with them.
There isn't any plus seven. plus four
In the country, Is there, nlamma:'
ssNO, DEAR sobbed his mother. as
she smOothed the little hot hands
tcnderly. "a
There's only one more lesson. =,
painted the child; ssthe birds told the
beee-ttss plus nothing an nought
to carry, an oh, mamma, it's sG easy
when somebody does all your sums
Tor YOU to- make - 'em come
out right. -
His hands relaxed their nervous
tension, and fell BY his side. The
closing eyclids qniverci q moment.
The hoOk Ii closed, & saitl the doc
t0f gently, s.aRd all tltc lessons are
I'D. Mrs N l. ..ayne. in Ds
ttpet Ffse Press.
ID i1.a yeIT csa5 lsas for ! pels
sen So ns ID 80 !. plss's +. 4 q the same