Democratic Northwest and Henry County news. [volume] (Napoleon, O. [Ohio]) 1894-1905, 1895-05-09
SWEEPSTAKES" !"
AStory for Boys.
BY PHEBE FIELD.


He was such . little fellow that he
looked younger than he really was,
but straight and strong, and active as
a cat.
A curly mass of bronze brown hair
covered small but we'll shaped head
and beneath the curly mop looked up
pair OF sharp black eyes, with a
slight cast in one which gave it's
possessor an implish expression. very
terrifying to timid young school
teacher.
1t was my first term of school, and
my pupils were not nearly SO much in
awe of me, as l was of them, of which
fact they had evidently lively ap-
probation.
Fortunately for me, they were, in
the main, a well disposed little flock,
with great respect for the teacher,
instead of regarding her as neces-
sary evil, as does the present genera
tion.
But when the travelling theatre
came to town my troubles began.
The manager came into tbs school
room one morning, bringing with him
a small boy, whom he introduced as
Fred Halton. and who, he said, he
would like 10 put in school for while
The boy, it seemed, had attached
himself to the theatre company some
time before, and had made himself so
generally useful they had been glad
to keep him,
But the manager, who appeared to
be very well disposed and goodna-
tured young fellow, said that Fred
had had no chance for an education,
which was shame, for he was
bright lad and had the making of a
man in him.
Il have taken q great fancy to the
boy,' he said half apologetically, his
almost boyish face flushing as if be
were ashamed to be found out in a
kind act, 'and as long as l have nc
one else to look after the lad shall
have chance
| And so Sweepstakes, as the boys
at once dubbed him on account of his
exceeding swiftness on foot, became
an inmate of our school.
| 1t did not take long to verify the
young managers statement in regard
to the lads being bright.
I put him in the infant class, as he
had never been to school, Ibut he soon
outgrew the infants, and caught uE
with the boys os his own size If moi
age. He had picked up store Of
general information during his vaga.
bond life, that was constant surprise
to me, and never failing source ol
delight to his school fellows.
/ 1t soon became an understood thing
that in any disputed point, the matter
was to be referred to Sweepstakes
and if he did not happen to under
stand the subject in hand, he made
the boys think that he did, which
served the purpose to their full salts
faction.
But as for the making of man,
| had serious mlsgivings on that score
AS | failed to discover a talent 'fol
making anything besides mischief
. and that faculty he had to perfection
There broke out perfect epidemic
of whispering and paper wad throw
ing, while pins seemed to grow in thu
seats as if by magic, for as fast as on
: crop was gathered another appeared
in its place.
And it all originated with the on
small boy who received reprot will
bsolute indifference.
But worse than the mischief wa
the tobacco habit which began to ap
pear among my hitherto well conduct
+ ed lads.
In vain | tried punishment, mora
$ suasion, appeals to his feelings; No
I body cares what I doP he said on
$ day, and this seemed the key note o
|. his strange character.
e / tried to learn something from hin
' in regard to his former life, but h
I remembered nothing more than tina
he had moved around from place t
. place, staying with whoever woul
keep him. You have no clothing
: trinket, or anything that you hav
: always had?' I asked, hoping to fin
some clue to the boys parentage.
AT that he began fumbling insid
his jacket collar, and presently DIRE,
! forth stout cord from which hung
y small gold locket.
! Only this, a'am!' he said detatcl
ing the locket and laying it in m
9 eager hand.
I touched the spring, and the ope
I case revealed the face of q beautif,
! child Of perhaps two years.
y 4 have had that always, ma'am' h
y said, and keeping sharp eye on th
le locket as If fearing | might spirit
d away.
ri looked long and earnestly at ii
9 pictured face, then handed the lock,
!. back, while question rose to my lii
. that he anticipated.
III The first woman / ever rememb,
,s living with told me before she die,
d that must always keep this, and me-
I or let any one take it and I've dol