The Canton times. (Canton, Miss.) 1893-1906, 1895-10-18

himself no credit in it, but, on the
contrary. was repeatedly marked a.
having failed, and marked, as ~ ap-
peared to him, most unjustly.
There was irritation on both sides
AS have said, his temper was by no
means perfect, and his vexation over
some of the rulings of his teacher was
quite too manifest. Perhaps nothing
makes it harder to do right than feel
ing that you have done wrong and
that the person whom you offended Is
making the very most of the offense.
On the day in question Miss Atwater
had repeated to the principal an inn
pudent remark of Frank which had
a tone OF disrespect, and Mr. Bates had
given him, before the class, singing
reproof.
All this -rankled deeply, and as he
walked home Frank Alcott was as
thoroughly miserable as boy who is,
at heart, anxious to do right, can
we'll be.
Like most villages, Hillsdale had its
Christian Endeavor club. The young
| women, among whom Miss Atwater
was almost an oracle, had planned a
course of lectures, and one OF the best
was to come off that evening. The
two boys usually went together, and
Albert called punctually for Frank. He
found him in very gloomy humor,
and it required good deal OF persua-
sion to get him out. Mrs. Alcott's face,
too, showed signs of tears.
II wouldn't be hired to worry over
things night and day, as you and your
mother dol" Albert exclaimed, as soon
as they were out of doors.
"'Tis beastly!" was the brief re-
spouse.
"rll tell you, Frank, I've been puz-
zling over it all the afternoon myself
say. let's do our history together
after this; you come home with me one
day and III go with you the next; we'll
take it the first thing after cur grub.
Well do it brown Tllput you through
on all Ole dates and what next
points, and yLn can enlighten me on
general ideas / tell you, we'll beat
the crowd"
Frank hesitated-half from a proud
sensitiveness which made him quick to
refuse any help, but at that moment
Albert's hand slipped through his arm
affectionately; the scale tipped.
"All right, Bert; begin tomorrow
To be boy is not to lack feeling,
but often it is his greatest care to
hide it.
The lecture was good one-on char
acter building The two boys were in
an impossible condition and some of
its sentences struck home.
keep right with yourself, then mo-
body can ruffie your temper" And he
quoted from Marcus Aurelius: What
ever anyone does or says, must be
good, just as if the gold or the emer-
aid or the purple were always saying
this: Whatever anyone does or says,
must be emerald and keep my color"
Toward the close of the lecture
few terse but impressive sentences were
addressed to those in charge Of the
young. "Never wrong a young person
by taking him on lower plane than
that of his own intention;" and again:
An independent view of life, or of
any subject, is far more precious than
mere information. Cherish it as
sacred possession. I" M
What was it that reused in Miss At
water sudden sense Of having fallen
beneath her true standard? Was it
that just then she caught sight of
Frank Alcott, in, an attitude of alb
sorbed attention, with the two bright
spots of red in his cheeks that some
times showed SO wildly in class, that
vivid color which she always regarded
(too hastily as mark of ''temper2"
If she was somewhat rigid, she was
a woman who strove to live in obedi-
ence to conscience. Have / wronged
that boy?" The question filed her with
dismay.
The audience poured out. The side
walks were slippery with ice, and, as
it happened, the two boys were Just
behind Miss Atwater, who walked on,
rather gingerly, by herself. They all
turned off the main street at the same
corner. But few steps further on
she suddenly slipped, caught herself,
hesitated for moment, evidently in
pain, and after o few hating steps,
looked about for some resting place.
"What is it, Miss Atwater?" said AL
bert, at her elbow.
''It's sprain-that's ALL" but her
face was very pale; and the boys, half
frightened, yet brave and manly, one
on each side, supported and almost
carried her along to her own door, for
tunately not far away.
Once in her own armchair, she still
held Franks arm; she was not one to
lose time when she saw her way.
swat minute she insisted. Then,
after a few moments struggle with