St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1896-03-20
1t Doesn't Pay.

See her scoot! Whiz 2 Up
A dozen or more Of the pupils of coun-
try school stood at the roadside to watch
the speeding downhiIl of new set OF
hobs. 1t was by all agreed to be the
finest craft on the coasting hill
"Oh, what are you going down there
for?"
There was little stir in the small
crowd, then two of it's number took a
tumble down the steep bank at the road
side, followed by the question above, in a
tone of mock surprise. The unfortunates
were Jack Kent and his little sister. For
himself he did not at all mind the plunge
into the deep snowdrift, but poor little
Polly was cold. Her hood came off-her
mittens were lost in the snow, and she
cried as at length her brother contrived
to pull her to the top of the bank. Jack
ceased his care of the little one to turn
fercely on one Of his companions who
had been laughing at the disaster.
you did that, George Banks" he said
in a loud and angry voice, making
towards him with clenched fists. you
jostled back against me-and you did it
on purpose. wouldn't have cared if it
had been just me, but you reached your
foot and upset my balance just as | was
trying to keep Polly from going over.
Before I'd be such a coward! !"
George backed little at the advance,
knowing well the strength of Jacks fists
in many friendly wrestIe. Then he
braced himself
Come on"
For moment Jack stood with flashing
eyes and flaming color. Then he turned
abruptly.
Here, Polly-don't you want to get
warm-poor little girlie?"
Selling her in his arms, although she
was no light weight Tor a boy of his age,
he rushed down the hill with her never
stopping until he had deposited her by
the schoolroom stove. When next seen
by those who cared to follow his impet-
uous movements, he was giving good
help in the vigorous storming of snow
fort. Going home from school, Jack was
joined by his best chum.
II wish you would tell me, said the
latter, how you ever managed to keep
from knocking George Banks higher than
kite this morning. He deserved it, if
fellow ever did. He's always playing
some mean trick or other"
Il know it" said Jack, his face flushing
again at thought of little Polly wrongs.
"Why didn't you let into him?'
"Well," said Jack contemplatively, 1T
was just because thought it wouldn't
pay"
mo, not bit. You see," went on
Jack, laughing, II was hopping mad
more because of his mean way OF laughing
than for what he had done. He would
have got mad too, and it would have
been fight He or |, or both of us, would
have got some bad knocks, maybe. Ny
head would have ached for it all day. |
should have got into trouble at school.
When went home there would he trouble
there, and mother would have looked
sorry. Now the fun of letting out my
mad against George wouldn't pay for all
that"
But, said the other, gazing at him in
amazement, chow can you think of that
just at the time? always think will,
when it isn't just the time, and then when
| get mad it all goes to the winds"
ITS tough" said Jack, setting his lips
together. Observation-Disclosures.
But it came to me this way. Once l had
a cold and toothache and a swelled face
no end of bad time. Icouldn't study.
| couldn't read, except what l could get
by peep out of one eye. So could only
take in little bits at time, and this was
one of the bits; III we give way to our
passion we CRAFTY ourselves for the pres
ent in order to make our future miserable
Well, thought it all out. l had plenty
Of time for thinking, you see-never did
so much Of it in my life before. Aud |
made up my mind I'd try it. knew it
would be tough, but we boys like to
tackle tough things, you know, and why
shouldn't it be that kind of a thing?"
The other boy gave sdewse nod to
his head as if agreeing that there was a
great deal in that.
Tough, should say! had to work
it off some way" went on Jack, laughing.
"By the time had grabbed Polly and
landed her by the fire, hadn't enough
breath left for fight. And by the time
our side got the better of the garrison l
had about forgotten all about George
and his meanness.'
Its agood way, said his friend. But
don't know whether | could do it."
Some helpful words from the mother