The World. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1891-1896, 1892-01-09
JOHN TEMPLE.

AlO ctAA0 tAA0 bU0tOftA WOo tAAC A4otIot
boat on the Ohio. And / stood for the
Daniel Boone. The Boone had given a
dinner to which my father and mother
were invited, while his were not. On
these facts we each based our conclus-
ions on the comparative speed Of the
two boats, and, tooth and nail, rolled
over in the dust to maintain them.
We were picked up variously by old
Cerberus, who was picking his banjo
at one end Of the hotel gallery, and by
jonrneyman shoemaker and tele-
graph operator playing chess at the
other end This they did with diverse
words Of scorn at the kicking boy. To
this day 4 believe that If we had been
left alone would have whipped for
although small was active.
Shortly after we, moved away to
Washington, where my father spent
one year in getting consular appoint
ment which he held for six years. Then
we came back to our village life. John
Temple was now a beautiful youth,
strong limbed, road-shouldered, with
a head like aGreek god. To these
physical projections he added charm
Of manner as captivating to his fellows
as to the opposite sex. Under this lay
q tenacity Of purpose which made him
inyincible.
He was adored frankly by all the
girls~of the school of which speedily
found myself member. Among these
he scattered his attentions occording
to his royal pleasure. Those who re-
ceiyed them were elated and grateful.
Those who did not patiently waited
their turn
Although younger than the others
held their barnyard acceptance Of John
Temples attentions with silent scorn.
I'd hate to run after boy was my
inward comment.
But was soon singled out as the
one he most delighted to honor. Twas
younger than the others. Thus might
an older boy play with child, for the
years had not greatly increased my
statue. But while the other girls sued
for his attentions | only accepted them.
That ] made no response encouraged
him the more.
When class was called John Tenn
pie always went out first. As he walk
ed by me he would say, and he had
teacher-defying way of talking under
his lips, Kitty, come and sit by me-"
When it was, evident where he would
choose to sit, there would be scam
per from the feminine side of the house
to sit by him. Busying myself, I
would wait until the connection was
over, and seat myself as remote as
possible. Those who were successful
were happy. Those who were outfoot-
ed got as near as they could, and John
Temple would curl his lip and look at
me, when my secret citation at know
ing myself preferred would be very
great.
We were in the same Virgil class.
Now everybody knows that the gods
and goddesses We're not ladies and
gentlemen, and that the Trojans and
Greeks were uncomfortably plain of
speech, and that there were ladies
among the Carthagenians who were
very careless of their language. John
Temple always looked ahead. He
knew about how much we would each
have to translate And if he saw that
any disagreeable passage was likely to
fall to my share, he would maneuvre
some change of seat until he could
take the Objectionable lines upon him
self
There are plenty Of ways in which
school-boys can show their chivalrous
consideration for girls, and these John
Temple always showed to me. 1t was
thoroughly understood there was al
ways some one looking out for Kitty
Black. As / was not permitted to go
to parties where there were boys, an
arena remained where John Temple
could be contended for by others At
school ! was supreme.
= AS, / moved, his gaze followed me.
When ! achieved any honor, no one
was 50 proud as he. There was
stolen word here, pressure Of the
hand there. When we played, and no
one was so needless and reckless as /,
protecting arm always stood ready
to keep me from harm
Nayop 1iJ sbZ,y, :, :, :, - r