The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1895-03-15

plS SlTl, WIFI u SlSSle, as She heiu oue
her hands to the stove.
Comfort looked at her as if she were
going to cry.
You're real mean to tease her, so
therew said Matilda Stebbins, bravely,
in the face of the big girl, who persist
ed, nevertheless. "Got that gold ring?'
she asked again, with her teasing gig
gle, which the others echoed.
Comfort slowly raised her left arm
She unfolded her little blue fist and
there on the third and fourth fingers of
her hand shone the gold ring.
Then there was such an outcry that
Miss Tabitha Hanks looked up from her
copy, and kept her wary eyes fixed on
the group at the stove.
"My sakes alive! Look at Comfort
Pease with a gold ring on two tingers!'
screamed the big girl, and all the rest
Joined in.
The other scholars in the room came
crowding up to the stove. Les see
it?" they demanded of Comfort. They
teased her to let them take it. Lem
me take it for just a minute? I'll give
it right back, honest" they begged, but
not let that ring go from her own two
fingers for one minute.
"Ain't she stingy with her old ring
said Sarah Allen to Rosy Stebbins.
Maybe it amt real gold" whispered
Rosy, but Comfort heard her. "'Tis,
too" said she, stoutly.
ITS brass, | can tell by the COLOR
teased one of the big boys; "'fore I'd
wear q brass ring If | was a girl"
1T amt brassr' almost sobbed Com
fort.
and came over to the stove. She came
SO silently and secretly that the schol-
ars did not notice it, and they all
jumped when she spoke. .,
"You may all take your seats" said
she, "if it is a little before o. You
can study until school begins. / can't
have so much noise and confusion"
The scholars flocked discontentedly
to their seats It's all the fault of your
old brass ring" whispered the big boy
to Comfort with malicious grin, and
she trembled.
Your mother let you wear it. didn't
She" whispered Matilda to Comfort as
the two took their seats in the bench.
But Comfort did not seem to hear her,
and Miss Tabitha looked that way, and
Matilda dared not whispered again.
Miss Tabitha moreover looked as
though she had heard what she said,
although that did not seem possible.
However, Miss Tabtha's ears had q
reputation among the scholars for al.
most as fabulous powers as her eyes
Matilda Stebbns was quite sure she
heard, and Miss Tabithas after course
confirmed her opinion.
The reading class was out on the floor
fixing its toes on line when Miss Ia.
bithat walked behind it straight tc
Comfort.
Comfort Pease," said she, Il don,
believe your mother ever sent you tc
school wearing a ring after that fash.
ion. You may take it off"
Comfort took it off. The eyes Of the
whole school watched her; even the
reading class looked over its shoulders
Now" said Miss Tabitha, put it il
your pocket"
Comfort put the ring in her pocket
Her face was flushing redder and red
der and the tears rolled down hel
cheeks.
Miss Tabitha drew out a large pin
which was quilted into the bosom OF
her dress, and proceeded to pin VI
Comforts pocket. "There," said she
Now you leave that ring in there ant
don't you touch it till you go home
yiS ieyht IN ,nt I.,,,
And don't you take that pin out: If yol
do shall whip YOU"
Miss Tabitha turned suddenly on tn,
reading class, and the faces went abou
with a jerk. Turn to the fifty-siXtl
page" she commanded, and the book:
all ruStled open as she went to th'
front Matilda gave Comfort sympa
thizing poke and Miss Tabitha an in
dignant scowl under cover of the read
ing class, but Comfort sat still with th
tears dropping down on her spelling
book. She had never felt so guilty anC
so humble in her life. She made III
her mind she would tell her mothe
about it and put the ring back in th
box that night and never take it on
again until her finger grew to 1t, and /
it never did she would try to be re
signed.
When it was time for recess, Mis-
Tabitha sent them all out of doors Z"
know it's cold' said she, but littl
fresh air won't hurt any of you. Yo'
can run around and keep warm"
Poor Comfort dreaded to go out. Sh
knew just how the boys and girl
would tease her. But Matilda Steb
bins stood by her, and the two hurried
out before the others and ran togethe
down the road.
We've got time to run down to thu
old Loomis place and back before th'
bell rings" said Matilda. "1f you sta!