The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1891-12-04
TWICE TEN YEARS.

that was to take me back to school fol
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 ship
and cargo and the profit and all that,
! went out to join the boys. When /
reached the play ground they were gone,
and there was nothing for me to do but
amuse myself as best 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 could look right
through under the trees, and there on
the croquet ground stood a girl, trife
younger than myself, looking straight
at me.
Now, when boy suddenly finds him
self observed by a girl he feels very
queer. 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 1
took them directly out again. Then /
concluded that it would be good way
TO show how little was embarrassed by
turning twice around on my heel, a
movement on which I 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. I was soon hunting for something
/ pretended to have lost in the grass be-
side the fence.
eff it's your knife you've lost" I heard
o little voice say, sit isn't there. 1
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 a sunbonnet,
sit wasn't much of knife anyway, and
I've gotanother."
care you one Of the boys at the
schoolY
Eyes"
"What reader are you in?''
"The Fourth"
"Do you study geography"
eyes" #ss
whats the capital of the United
States7"
scratched my head.
81 don't remember that" admitted
reluctantly. 'Pm first rate on capitals,
but I can't recollect that one"
"Why didn't you go off with the
boys?"
81 was behind with my sums. ex-
pect they've gone to the river. / like
the woods pretty well, they're full of
squirrels"
"And snakes" she added.
"Tm not afraid of snakes"
"And lizards"
''Nor lizards. I suppose you're afraid
to go there"
''No, I'm not"
eff you want to go there now, and are
afraid, don't mind going along, just to
keep off snakes and things"
She looked wistfully out at the wood.
can see her now leaning on her mallet,
deliberating-if such a process can be
called elaboration 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 looking at me
with her expressive eyes said:
"How still it is in here! It seems to
me l can almost hear it be still"
Eyes, it is pretty solemn" I replied. |
Lets go on; the river winds around
down there and we can see the water go
over the dam
heard distant voice calling Julia"
1t was very faint; she did not hear it; |
stood moment hesitating.
Come, let's 60" said, starting for
ward.
Julia" 1 heard again, more family
than before.
hurried her on, fearing she would
hear the voice and turn back.
Presently we emerged from the wood
and stood by the river. was familiar
with the ground, and led my little friend
directly to the dam.
Most of the boys are afraid TO walk
out on that dam" / said.
I'D be afraid"
"But you're only girl; boy ought
mt to be afraid With that / started
boldly out, occasionally standing on one
foot and performing sundry antics to
show what brave boy was Then /
came part way back and called to her to
come.
son. no she said; I'm afraid
Afraid! You little goosel with me
to hold on to-
Betwixt her fear and disposition
pliaOle to 4 boy older ard stronger than
herself. il was not long before / was
leading her out on the dam
Don't you see its nothingT' said.
She shrank back as led her along.
determined that she should 60 10 a point
where the water poured over 3 portion
,f the dam lower than ths rssS Isurrsd