The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1896-03-01

The Boy Who Wouldn't.
II hope you quite understand, Michael, y
said Miss Perry as the last boy but one
filed down the stairway, that II IS you
who are keeping yourself behind the
others tonight. I do not ask boy TO
tell me he IS sorry when he IS not; hut
! can't let him so without answering me
at all, for that's not gentleman.y'
She paused for a response; but the
hard lines about the eyes before her only
deepened, ard the square little mouth
shut more firmly, as though afraid word
might escape in spite OF itself. Poor
little lad. sighed Miss Perry. as she
turned 20 correct the papers before her;
"he wants TO give IA, but he just simply
can't"
Ten. fifteen minutes passed. The clock
licked with a sturdy determination to
make itself heard, as II had never licked
before. The papers were nearly finished
and Miss Perry glanced at tho forl0rn
little figure before her. How CAM !
help him." thought She
Michael" she continued swectiy. after
a moments pause 'if YOU are quite de-
termined on STAYING / believe 7 shall tell
you story" The little mouth opened
wide for . moment I'm astonishmcnt and
then, fearful that this might be but a
trap set 10 catch II. closed again with a
resolute snap.
"Once upon a time" continued Miss
Perry amiably. ''there lived a wise king,
who, as he was getting old. wanted 10
give up the cares o. government 10 his
son. So he called the young prince 10
him, ana said. Ny boy. I have had you
carefully taught in the laws of the land,
IN the languages. sciences. and the rules
Of military and civil government. but
there Is still one lesson that you must
learn before ] can trust my kingdom ia
your care Then his son, VINO WAS
good young prince, replied. Very Wei.
father: only tell me this new lesson, and
! am quite ready 10 learn IT, But the
king answered, Alas. my boy, that | can
not do. for, II YOU were told 10 everyday
for lifetime, it would still be unlearned,
whereas, once you have fourd Do out for
yourself. you VIII know il by heart
THE young prince went away mucn
puzzled. and said to himself. How shall
J ever find out this curious lessong
Finally. he decided 10 obtain from his
father the position Of commander-in
OF all the army. for he thought, II / am
able to command great army. then.
surely can govern kingdom But the
old generals, who had been IN many wars
sstd. The country will 20 TO ruin IN the
hands Of this proud, foolish prince
AT first all went well. FOR 81 was
time OF peace. but one day came news
OF an advancing enemy. and all the coun-
try's forces were called out 10 meet and
repei tho invasion. After n number Of
battles In which tho princes troops We're
defeated their position became quite dcs-
perate. You see 10 was like this" Here
Miss Perry's fingers began 10 mark ont
on the desk before her a plan Of the
situation. and Michaols eyes from which
all the hard lines had vanished followed
her movements intentiy.
Here Were the enemv's forces. and
here in the midst Of them WAS the princes
army Their only hope lay IN passing. al
midnight, by a certain path right through
the enemys lines. and in turn surround
ing them. Then one Of the old generals,
who had been in many wars. and who
knew all that part Of the country per
fectly. came 90 the prince. and begged
him 70 give up the command. that I'm so
difficult an Undertaking the army might
be guided by one who knew the situation
perfectly; for the least little mistake
would be fatal. But the prince answered
him angrilv. and drove him from his
presence. This was the very opportunity
he had been longing for. and certainly he
would not give 81 mp 10 another once let
him achieve so brilliant an exploit then
the glory Of his name would be on every
tongue. and his father would al last be-
lieve him able 10 govern "a kingdom wise
". Down I'm the depths Of his heart he
knew tho old general was right: but. on.
he couldn't. he couldn't give mp his own
way.
For hours he walked the floor OF his
tent. fighting g battle with himself; and.
at length. Just before midnight. he went
TO the general. and said. Lead the army
az Won will and I will follow with the !
rest. for YOU know better than T. 50 !
the brilliant move was made the enemy
was defeated. and next dav an the cOun-
try rang with the old generals praises.
But now I wonder" said Miss Perry.
thoughtfully gazing into space. who
really won that victory" Il think the
prince did" said Michael
And so thought his father" continued
Miss Perry FOR. when the army return
ed. the prince soucht the old kings pres
ence. and said: Father. 7 have failed.
I had hoped by n wise command OF the
army 10 show myself worthy 10 take
your place: bur there were others who
knew better than !. and 7 give MP my
will to theirs Then the king cried joy
fully My son. that is the very lesson | |
sent you forth 20 learn. for no man IS
or TO command until he has first learned |
10 obey and, I'm overcoming self. Won |
have Won q greater victory than in con- |
quering a hostile army
Miss Perry paused and. tho tale being /
ended. applied herself once more 10 the I
task Of correcting papers As she lifted /
the last one, a penitent little figure stood |
before her "Aiiss Perry. Yes. Mich |
ael,' encOuragingly. Miss Perry. I'm !
sorry ] was a bad boy to-day; and please |
will YOU forgive mer"-Ilolcn &. Bacon, |