The diamond drill. (Crystal Falls, Iron County, Mich.) 1887-1996, 1897-02-27
Ions TRIUMPH.
ny MAnY Is. DOWNS.

"Seems TO me Lon carries all his small
brains in that button on his coat in
stead of in his head, like folks that God
made" Thad was sitting on the bench
beside Ordcla when he said this, sharp
ening her pencils with his new knife.
Lions right nervous. / reckon he'll
never get used to reciting before folks, +"
said Ordelia. Ions smart, though"
she added, demurely.
smart! lie couldn't answer boo to
a question without that button TO twist
his fingers on"
Anyhow, wherever his brains are, he
makes good recitations," persisted Or
della.
"Cuts a right foolish figure at it, just
the same"
Who's that you're calling 'foolishg "
asked an awkward boy, who had
planted himself before Ordelia's desk.
She looked up. laughed, and said:
"Thad says you can't recite a word
without that button TO twist"
Ions freckled face flushed sensitive
ly. "What'll you bet?" he asked, turn
ing on Thad.
III bet half dollar that you cant
explain one example in mental arith-
nletic straight without yanking il all
out Of that button OF yours"
"All right. I'll bet" said Lon, reckless
~. Then he looked down with a rueful
smile az the button in question, which
dangled by frail thread or two from
his coat
II reckon I'm bound to do without
st. he remarked, IF don't get it scwed
on soon"
"Oh, III sew il on for you, If you'll
stop at the house this evening-after
you've won the bet" said Ordelia, light
iy
The news OF the challenge went
round. and for once interest was reused
in the mental arithmetic recitation.
"Therefore"-Ordel thus concluded
her problem-"the man had coz geese
20 begin with" Ending with glib con
fidence. she folded her hands behind
her. poised lightly on her shapely feet
and looked with smiling complncency
at the next"
The "next" was Lon. The whole
school belonged to the mental arithme-
tic class, but OF the craning line that
had toed the crack from the water
bucket TO the blackboard at the begin
ming of the recitation only three schol-
airs now remained on the floor-0r-
della, Lon and Thad.
"Nextl"
Ions slender figure shot up in rigid
attention. lie folded his arms reso-
lutely across his breast and waited.
Ordclia, on one side, graceful and
serene. waited, too. and on his other
eide stood Thnd, his feet widely planted
and his face darby flushed.
The teacher, Miss Molly, read the
problem slowly and distinctly. Lon re-
peated il I'm clear, defiant voice and
then took up the explanation with con-
fidence. Ordelia settled back into her
place and glanced about in triumph.
Thad's brow began 90 straighten in
dark scowl The school held its breath
md stared.
Letting 2-2 represent the number OF
sheep that the man had i'm the first
place, then 1-2 will represent the num-
Der Of sheep-of sheep that--yes, the
number OF sheep that he bought Then
then the-the whole number Of sheep
that he owned--the whole number OF
sheep that he owned-the whole num-
Der OF sheep would be represented by
81. which. according 20 the problem
which. according 90 the problem, and
PA shcep-I mean which. according
to"-Lon's arms relaxed. His nervous
fingers went searching for the inspiring
button.
Orhelia's smile changed 60 chagrin.
Thad's face broadened with a derisive
grin. a laugh went round the school.
Ions stammering tongue stopped al
together. There was moment OF
silence; then the mortified boy turned
upon Tbad In fury. you sneaki"