Los Angeles herald., 1891-12-30
TWICE TEN YEARS.

remember IL as well as II 1t were yes
terday. The carriage stood at the door
that was to take me back to school for
the spring term. My mother gave me
innumerable instructions, smoothed my
collar and adjusted my cap on my head
properly, then gave me kiss and stood
looking wistfully at me as went down
the walk and got into the carriage.
A month or two later-it was in June,
think-after hard struggle one after
noon with some figures, all about a ship
and cargo and the profit and all That,
went out to join the boys. When I
reached the play ground they were gone,
and there was nothing for me to do but
amuse myself as bestI could. strolled
around the house with my hands in my
pockets (Which my mother had told me
distinctly must not do), and suddenly
remembering her instructions took them
out again; then, for want of better
amusement, began to whistle.
Next to the school there was pretty
cottage separated from the school house
by board fence. The two houses were
not 100 feet apart. and I could look right
through under the trees, and there on
the croQuet ground stood girl, a trifle
younger than myself, looking straight
at me.
Now, when boy suddenly finds him
self observed by girl he feels very
queer. I remember that very well. My
hands went right into my pockets, but
remembering that was not the correct
thing to do in the presence of a girl l
took them directly out again. Then /
concluded that il would bs good way
to show how little was embarrassed by
turning twice around ON my heel, a
movement on which greatly prided
myself. After that I don't remember
now-it was so long ago-what new
capers cut. But one thing is very GER
tain. was soon hunting for something
pretended to have lost in the grass be-
side the fence.
'If it's your knife you've lost, I heard
a little voice say, "it isn't there. l
picked up knife there week ago, but
it was all rusty and no good"
"Oh, never mind" said, looking up
into two eyes away back in sunbonnet,
"it wasn't much of knife anyway, and
I've gotanother."
care you one of the boys at the
SCHOOL,"
"Yes."
"What reader are you in?"
'The Fourth"
"Do you study geography"
eyes"
whats the capital Of the United
States7"
Iscratched my head.
II don't remember that,"I admitted
reluctantly. I'm first rate on capitals,
but I can't recollect that one"
"Why didn't you 60 off with the
boys?"
II was behind with my sums. I ex-
pect they've gone 10 tho river. like
the woods pretty we'll, they're full Of
squirrels"
"And snakes" she added.
"rm not afraid Of snakes"
"And lizards"
"Nor lizards. Isuppose you're afraid
to 60 there"
mo, Pm not"
"If you want to 60 there new, and are
afraid, don't mind going along, just to
keep off snakes and things"
She looked wistfully cut at,the wood.
I can see her now leaning onAher mallet,
deliberating-if such process can be
called deliberation where the conclusion
is predetermined-the straight, 1.-the fig
ure poised between the mallet and one
foot, one little leg crossed on the, other
peering out at the forest. Suddenly,
without any warning, she dropped the
mallet and started for the wood.
We were not long In crossing the field
and were walking IN the dense Shade
when she stopped, and loot tAng at me
with her expressive eyes saidE
"How still it is in here. Et eeems to
me can almost hear it be s6ll"
"Yes, it is pretty solemn replied
"Let's go on; the river wtMds around
down there and we can seeSthetwatW GO
over the dam"
Iheard distant'voice calling"Julia
It was very faint She dsa'nst hear its
stood moment hesttatifsg.
"Come, let's co." said, ,tstarting for
ward.
"Julia," heard again ,lmorsA family
than before.
I hurried her on, fearing she swould
hear the voice and turn xatk.
Presently we emerged. .frsn ithsYwood
and stood by the river. 1 washanfhaa
with the ground, ana lad myiittle friend
directly to the dam.
/ "Moskof the boysare afraid@to walk
out ON that DAM" I'said.
"Td be afraid"
But you're only a. girl; "a boy ought
n't>to be afraid" With that Il started
boldly out, occasionally standing on one
foot and performing ,sundry antics to
show whist braveEboy I wasH Then
came part way back, and called, to her II
come.
"Oh, no." she said; "Fm afraisl."
"Afraidl You little goose! W ith me
to hold on tor
Betwixt her fear and a disp ,sitior
pliable to a boy older and stronge thar
herself, it was not long before 4al wa'
leading her out on the dam.
Don't you see it's nothingT. Esaill.
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