The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1891-03-11
How Jack Kept His Promise.
BY BELLE v. CHISHOLM.

BY BELLE v. CHISHOLM.
1t was the writing hour in Master
Laird's room, and nothing but the sub
dued scratch of forty pens, moving
swiftly and silently across the two
score copy-books, was to be heard.
rhe Master looked round over the
rows of eager faces before him with
evident approval, and when the bell
tapped for change of employment, he
said quietly:
"Boys, this afternoon is so beautiful,
and the ice is In such splendid condi-
ton, that have concluded to give you
the half-holiday promised you, and
go with you for turn upon the river.
You may put books aside, and pass in
order down the stairs. After which,
get your skates ready and wait at the
front gate until join you"
What merry, light-hearted set OF
boys they were as they stood around
in little groups talking in subdued
tones of the pleasure in store for them
that bright, wintry afternoon.
Presently a lad of thirteen made his
appearance, swinging his satchei OF
books in his right hand, while under
his left arm was tucked away q little
parcel that looked very much like his
skates.
"Why do you trouble with your
books, Jack ?" asked Dan Harold.
"You don't propose to stand still long
enough to study lesson this singing
day, do you?"
II am not going to the river to-day,
Dan," answered Jack, cheerily, "but
all the same I wish the rest of you a
Jolly time"
II thought you would be the first
fellow ON the ice," said Dan. "You
are the best skater in the lot"
II would enjoy the fun ever so much,
but I can't go this afternoon"
"What is the reason you cant" de-
manded Dan. "You intended to stay
at school, and you may rest assured
that the Master will not allow US to re-
main on the ice after four o'clock.
You must be sick, Jack Clover"
"I never felt better in my life" re-
sponded Jack, ''but for all that I can't
stay"
"His mother don't know he is out"
chuckled Joe Morton, nudging Dan in
the ribs.
Jack is none of your 'fraid-babies,"
said Dan, patronizingly. why, he
is within an inch of my height, and
mother would be sure I was sick If ]
ran to her every time [ wanted little
fun"
II am no 'fraid-baby, Dan, but I
nust admit that Joe has guessed the
real reason why I cannot remain. |
promised mother, a year ago, that !
would never 60 on the river without
her permission, and I would be cow
ard if broke my word," Jack said
FIRMLY.
"But the ice is perfectly safe," urged
Dan. "If it had not been the master
would not have given us the privilege
of trying it, unasked. Mothers are all
scary, but they soon get over their
fussing when they find they can't run
things to suit themselves. Come right
along, have q good time with the rest
of us, and your mother will rest easy,
because she will know nothing about
it until the fun is all over"
"But that would be deceiving her,
and then she would lose confidence In
me-" replied Jack"
"Pshaw W laughed Dan. IA fel-
lows mother is not like any other
body. She never goes back on him"
"Then he should never 60 back on
her." insisted Jack. "At any rate, I
am not going to break my promise"
"What is the trouble, boys" asked
Mr.. Laird, as he Joined his scholars al
the gate.
Dan related what had passed be-
tween himself and Jack, and then ap-
pealed to the teacher for his decision.
II am quite sure that If Jacks moth
er understood all the circumstances in
the case, she would give ready con.
sent to his afternoons enjoyment. l
think the trouble with mothers is that
boys are usually venturesome, and Of
ten risk their lives on the ice when
there is actual danger, said Mr.. Laird.
eff Jacks mother were in reach l
would advise him to 60 and consult
her, but as the walk to his home is
over a mile, I believe she would ex-
cuse him if he went under my care. "
"Of course she would" said Dan
and Joe in @ breath. II am sure she
would not want him to walk three SOL
i'd miles just to save her from an hours
anxiety added Joe. 'That's all
she er nonsense"
"There need be no anxiety on her
part, for she would know nothing OF
the fancied danger until it was over"
urged Dan.
"a promise is q promise, and shall
keep it, especially when made to my
. mother. Years ago, a young brother
to whom she was devotedly attached
lost his life while skating on this very
river, and she has had a peculiar
dread of such accidents ever since.
Last winter, just after some of the
boys came near being drowned, l
promised her that I would not 60 up.
on the ice without her sanction, and
should I do it now, she could never
again he quite sure thatI would keep
my promise ; and so many an anxious
our il would give her. 1 am quite
certain that T would have no trouble
in gaining the coveted permission,
could see her and explain in whose
care we were going, but as 1t is. l
, would much rather miss the after
Moons pleasure than give her an hours
uneasiness.
"You are rigk.; Jack, I am glad to
see you stand up so unfinchingly. for
, your mother. She is the best frlend
!, You have, and deserves such q son" -"
said the teacher, taking both of jack 8
hands in his own. "I am ashamed
r that 1 uttered one discouraging word.
7 Go home now, and tell your mother
,I,,t ;f tbe skatinp continues fine, YOU