Western Kansas world., 1893-10-21
PETE

Pete'S first appearance was sudden
The last hour at the free kinder
garten was drawing to a close, anC
the children were quite breathles
with Their exertions, when a creak
ing Of hinges and a blast of icy all
drew all eyes to the door, in the open
ing Of which Pete stood disclosed.
He was about years old, with a
smiling countenance, plentifully be-
Sprinkled by nature with freckles,
and by art with CRIME and splaSheS OF
mud. His blue eyes met yours fear
lessly, with merry twinkle, and his
red hair shOne with fiery luster
through the crownleSS hat.
In dress, Pete was simplicity it.
self. A pair of ragged trousers, held
on over grimy shirt by one diIapi-
dated 'galluS," one buttoned shoe,
from which the buttons had long de-
parted their places being supplied by
a dirty green ribbon tied around the
ankle; the other, through which the
bare toes peeped appeaIingly, was
laced with lit of yellow string
apparently Pete had an eye to color
while the whole costume was ap-
propriately rooted in by a dilapidated
hat ShYneSS never being one of
&ete's faults he spoke up briskly, as
he met the teachers eyes fixed in
wonder upon him. ''Say, Pm a new
scholar. / want to jine this here
Cnhnnl II fhinlI
But" the teacher answered, "we
can't take any new scholars; the
school is full"
Come, now" he said little crest
fallen, but soon recovering, and wink
ing knowingly at the teacher; II
amt none Of your charity scholars.
See! / brought my money along"
Here he opened one grimy fist, and
disclosed, nesting in the moist palm,
five very sickly pennies
BY this time the teacher had re-
covered from her first surprise, and,
interested by this specimen Of hu-
manity, asked: "What is your name?"
'Pete's my name. All these here
Kids knows me-"
Here the children Joined in the
chorus: 1--WE know him, Miss Katy;
mis- names Pete Brown, and he don't
belong to no one much; just lives along
with Mis- Brown at Liberty Hall, -
one Of the worst dens in that unsav-
ory neighborhood.
Pete nodded briskly in confirma-
Iion o. these remarks, and said:
Say, teacher, take my money and
lemme stay"
81 can't take your money, Pete"
at this Pete's face grew very
grave, while his lip trembled as he
asked: "Ain't it enough? 1 can't
yet no more, teacher: it tooken me
long time to get this" Then his face
frightened again. "But, say, can't
yer take me for this and let me work
out the rest? l kin work, l tell you"
"fete." Miss Katy answered, and
her eyes were very misty asshe looked
down into the face turned up so visit
fully, ''you can keep your money
and you can stay"
And so Pete was enrolled as kin
derRarten "kid, that being a sort OF
pet name in the neighborhood, and
turned his back resolutelY upon all
mis- old associations. His satisfaction
was intense; he seemed fairly to alb
sorb the teaching in every pore, and
mis- beaming smile always called an
one into every face upon
which it was turned. Gradually he |
became more civilized in appearance, !
the dirt retiring into the more out
lying districts, then finally retreating
Miss Katy dared not i
give him any clothes, knowing they !
would all be sold for drink by the |
dreadful old woman with whom he |
lived, so she was obliged to content |!
herself with lending him some while !
ne was at the school, which shell he |
would shed, with his usual cheerful |
when the time came to GO |
home. A numerous bodY-guard usu- |
ally escorted Miss Katy to the cars,
and Pete soon became the leader of !
this band, marching ahead with the |
of a drum-major, his !
voice rising above all the Others in j
the shouts OF: ''Good-by, Miss !
Katy" which always smote the air. |
Perhaps the proudest and happiest !
days of his life was that on which he /
was trusted to carry the teachers
bag. The former occupant of the po-
sltion having been lately promoted
TO public school, Miss Katy said, 81
am going to let Pete carry my bag
every day now, he is so careful" AS
there had been many applicants for
the position, Pete's satisfaction knew /
no bounds at having been selected
over those who were so much older.
and had been so much longer at the |