Tazewell Republican. [volume] (Tazewell, Va.) 1892-1919, 1898-01-20
SEssSES.
/: JACKTN'S EXAMINATION:
BY S. Edgar eenet. !



holiday. Once there, the attractions OF
travelling show-including perform
ing dogs, a bear, and three monkeys
with an Unsuitable appetite for pea
nuts-charmed them into forgetfulness
of the flight of time and charmed the
last penny from their pockets before
the consequence of broken rules sug-
gested itself.
A 'man"-young gentlemen OF is or
16 years are always "men"-might
count upon notice from Dr.. Shoreditch.
Who broke, paid. Monkeys would be
no excuse for missing the six o'clock
train.
They clenched their fists, brought
their elbows close to their sides and
started on run down the street.
Clear the track" shouted little Tup-
per, we'll in the rear.
The trio were the best Of friends,
with little Topper a connecting link in
the fellowship. Marvin, the honor man,
overlooking his Latin. Gregory, the
biggest and dullest, announced public
ly that if any fellow bullied Topper he'd
setter the matter personally.
Topper, out of breath, found his
friends in retired corner Of the sta
ton, turning their pockets inside out.
He followed their example, and when
they said: 'Not nickel" he said: "Not
cent"
Perhaps the president of the road
would make an advance" began Mar
vim.
But Gregory silenced him. "rhe train
leaves in seven minutes" he said.
Gregory was cross, but when Marvin,
who was much dismayed, and wouldn't
show it, put his hands in his pockets
and said: "We've got to make the best
oft. 1t was our own fault and there's no
use whining" Gregory and Upper did
likewise and followed down the plat
form as jauntily as possible to where
Jaclins' engine stood in the sun.
Everybody called him Jaclins with
out the least disrespect-even his wife,
all the children around his house and
DR.. Shoreditch's boys, with whom he
was in special favor. If they said "Nlr.
Jackins," he looked grave, and he was
sensitive as to his given name, which
was Gamaliel.
Jackins sat at the window with a
grimy hand at the throttle. He was
almost ready to start, ''Hellol" he
called.
Marvin and Gregory replied with
more vivacity than the occasion de-
manded: "Hello, Jaclins. Glad to see
you"
Tupper's eyes grew larger and graver
as people hurried to the coaches and
porters wheeled trucks of luggage to
the baggage car.
"Been on lark, reckon" Jackins
drawled. in his slow, down south ac-
cent. eff you'd come down here four
minutes later you'd found the train
gone, and then what would you have
done? Better get yo' places" He
moved his hand, and the mufied steam
seemed to ask Indignantly: "What, in
deed?"
They called up such unpleasant pros
poets that the three strolled farther
away. Upper, who never failed Of
suggestion, said: "Naybe Jacliins
would help us. Let's ask him.
Marvin slapped him on the back.
That's so. He might. I'd ask him,
but YOU see" he frowned darkly and
drew himself up, ct don't look just
the thing"
For a senior" interrupted Upper,
no"
"I'n ask him." he said, "only you
fellows don't go very far away, Stay
here behind this corner"
When Topper got around to the en-
CINE, Jackins was putting on more coal.
Presently he thrust his head out of the
window and began to wipe tie perspira-
ton from his forehead and sing Dixie"
"What, amt you gone aboard yet?
You'll be left. Where's yo' cronies?"
whats that?" asked Upper.
THE other two"
They're around"
"Only two minutes more"
Topper went close to the side Of the
engine and whispered: "JackIns."
'Wen?" Jackins whispered back.
Lean your head way down, will
you?"
Jaclins leaned far over the side.
Upper put hand to each side of his
mouth and asked: How can fellows
who haven't any tickets go home on the
train?"
That's easy. They just pay when
the conductor comes around"
Yes; but if they haven't any
money!"
why, then they can't go, Yo' got
10 pay on the train" He scowled and
added: Got to-"
Upper related the story of the empty
pockets. Jackins was sympathetic. He
counted his money and found 81 cents,
which he offered. Upper said Marvin
must have that. Marvin make Jackins
IN elegant acknowledgment, but he hes
itated about leaving the others.
When the train was about to start
jackins called them al young ras-
ais, and said next time they'd deserve
20 be thrashed, but he'd see what he
ould do. He hurried them into the
raboose, and at every station he lee
tured them OF their folly.
After this Jackins never passed the
campus without a peculiar whistle, q
sign that he remembered his friends,
so that one afternoon long wall from
he throttle was something out of ting
ordinary.
The boys stopped their tennis long
nough to ask: Whats up with jack
ns?"
That night al table the doctor re-
marked to the hcad-master: 81 hear the
North G. West is about to institute
ne educational test among its en-
,loyes. All who are found deficient will
e dismissed"
at only goes as far as an ability to
read and WRITE" replied the younger
| ,,,o,, "I7ayv will lose nv it ="