Hot Springs weekly star. (Hot Springs, S.D.) 1892-1917, 1894-03-23
PETE.

PETE.
Ietc's first appearance was sudden!
The last hour at the free kinder
garten was drawing to a close, and
the children were quite breathless
with their eXcrtions, when a creak-
ing of hinges and a blast of icy air
drew all eyes to the door, in the open
ing Of which Pete stood disclosed.
He was about 6 years old. with a
smiling co%untenancc, plentifully be-
sprinkled by nature with freckles,
and by art with CRIME and splashes of
mud. His blue eyes met yours fear
lessly, with a 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 q grimy shirt by one dilapi-
dated 'yallus," 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 pecped appealinely, was
laced with a bit 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
Pete's faults, he spoke up briskly, as
he met the teachers eyes fixed in
wonder upon him. "Say, I'm a new
scholar. l want to jine this here
school. I think it's prime"
But" the teacher answered. "we
can't take any new scholars; the
school is full"
-..Gome, now" he said a little crest.
fallen, but soon recovering, and wink
ing knowingly at the teacher; ~
amt none Of your charity scholars.
See! l brought my money along"
Here he opened n .grimy fist, and
disclosed, nesting in the moist palm.
five very sickly pennies.
l'y this time the teacher had re-
covered from her first surprise, and,
interested by this specimen Of hui
manity, asked: "What is your name?:"
"Pete's my name. All these here
kids knows me-"
Here the children Joined in the
chorus: ssWe know him, Miss Katy:
his 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 dcns in that unsay-
Dry ncighborhood.
Pete nodded briskly in cont1rma.
ton OF these remarks, and said:
s.Say, teacher, take my money and
lemme STAY"
II 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? I can't
get no more. teacher; it tookcn me a
long time to get this" Then his face
frightened again. "F'ut, Isay, can't
yer take me for this and let me work
out the rest? I kin work, 1 tell you"
.'Tete." Miss Katy answered, and
her eyes were very misty as she looked
down into the face turned up so visit
fully. '.you can keep your money!
and you u stay"
And SO Pete was enrolled as a kim
dergarten skid." that being a sort OF
pet name in the neighborhood, and
turned his back resolutely upon all
his old associations. His satisfaction
was intense; he seemed fairly to alb.
sorb the teaching in every pore. and
his beaming smile always called an
answering II 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
altogether. Miss Katy dared not
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
he was at the school, which shell he
would shed, with his usual cheerful
equanimity, when the time came togo
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
p0mp0usness of q drum-major, his
voice rising above all the Others in
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-
sition having been lately promoted
to q public school, Miss Katy said, 81
Am going to let Pete carry my bag
every day now, he is so careful" Az
there had been many applicants for
the position, Pete's satisfaction knew
no bounds ct having been selected
over those who were sosmuch older.
and had been 70 much longer at the