The Chanute times. [volume] (Chanute, Kan.) 1897-1913, 1897-08-06

Gods mercy we were rescued, would
take as much of 1t for my own pur-
poses as was properly my own. For
the rest, my mates should decide what
should be done with 1t.
My next visit was to my little Bob's
grave, and | noted with grateful feel
ings how carefully it bad been tended
during my sickness. The flowers
blooming there we're better sermon
than any that man could preach, and
/ blessed Pearl in my heart for her love
and thoughtfulness.
These signs of love, no less than the
sweet. pure air, refreshed and strength
ened me, and / strolled through the
woods again, thinking of Pearl and her
school with aifectionate curiosity.
Soon heard voices, and went toward
them. Surely enough, there was the
school. in a small clearing, surrounded
by trees. My mates were there, and
Pearl in the midst of them, holding a
book. Concealing myself behind a
tree. where | had q clear view Of the
scene, listened to what was going on.
Six of my mates were present, all
of them deeply interested in the pro-
ceedings, and with such expressions en-
their faces as denoted that knotty
point was being discussed. Tom
Wren, to my surprise, looking some
what rebellious, was seated on some
stones which had been built up to form
a seat. and Pearl was leaning over his
shoulder.
"Now, Tom" said Pearl, II have told
you a hundred, hundred times, and
you're bad boy. Here it is-A. A is
the first letter. Mr.. Bowden, please to
say your alphabet"
To my infinite amusement, Mr..
Bowden, who could not have been less
than sixty years of age, instantly
stood up, and, in as awkward a man
ner as any new school-boy could ex-
hibit, went stumblingly through the
alphabet. He made few mistakes on
the journey, and was gravely corrected
by his mates, who themselves were
more often wrong than right.
"You see, Tom," said Pearl, holding
up reproving finger, they all know
better than you. A is the first letter,
and o Is in the middle"
But obstinate Tom shook his lead.
Stand up, sir!" cried Pearl.
Tom stood up so readily and meek
ly, and the other men looked on so ap-
prehensively, that it would not have
surprised me had the fascinating little
school-mistress peremptorily desired
him to hold out his hand to receive six
for his contumacy. And Pearl really
did have something in her hand that
looked like a cane; but she made no
use of it on this occasion.
"Once more, Tom," said Pearl, as the
bay boy of the school stood submits
sively, and yet with an air of logged
independence on him, before her,
what is the first letter Of the alpha
bet?"
co." said Tom, very decidedly.
"a, sir, A." cried Pearl.
20, Queen Pearl, II you please"
"Then suppose" said Pearl, con-
descending to argue, and thus in a
measure weakening her authority and
strengthening Toms position, you
will say that B is not the second let
ter"
ut is not, Queen Pearl" replied
Tom, boldly.
Pearl gazed at him in 'Jonder.
saw the imminence of the crisis, and
waited in curiosity for the result.
What is the second letter, then?"
IN"
"And the third?"
&C"
"Ah, you've got that right, then. G
is the third letter, and d is the
! fourth"
mo, Queen Pearl, 1t is E."
Queen Pearl stamped her little foot,
and Tom looked as grieved as though
he were about to be condemned 10 in
slant execution; but he had the cour-
age of his convictions, and he held his
ground manfully.
Upon my word" exclaimed Pearl,
with comical air of helplessness, II
really don't know what is to be done
with such a bad boy as this!"
Queen Pearl" said Tom. himself
coming to her rescue, like the sly dog
he was, what do you say to the other
school-boys settling it?"
There's nothing to be settled, Tom.
II they tell you you are wrong, you
will still be obstinate. You heard Mr..
Bowden say his A B G. He didn't say
ON c."
"It isn't you that's wrong, Queen
Pearl" persisted Tom; and, knowing
how he loved Pearl. marveled at his
firmness; "it's the book. Look here
mates-Pd lay down my life for our
Queen, wouldn't 1 now?"
simultaneously With their, "Ay, ay,
Tom, that you would; and so would
we" Pearl took Toms hand, and said,
"You foolish, obstinate boy! I'm not
angry with you, but 1 want you to
learn. How can the books be wronGT'
81 didn't say the books and Tom
retained Pearls hand lovingly in his;
81 said the book. We've only two.
Give them to me, please, Queen Pearl.