The Dupuyer acantha. [volume] (Dupuyer, Mont.) 1894-1904, 1899-09-28

was there, and by that I knew my
mates must have buried him. Let
him rest" 1 thought, more in sorrow
than in anger; she can work no more
mischief now" Then 1 turned to the
place where I had buried the gold. 1t
had not been disturbed, and | covered
it again carefully, resolving that, If by
Gods mercy we were rescued, | would
take as much of it for my W pur-
poses as was properly my own. For
the rest, my mates should decide what
should be done with it.
My next visit was to my little Bob's
grave, and I noted with grateful feel
ings how carefully it had been tended
during my sickness. The flowers
blooming there were a better sermon
than any hat man could preach, and
I 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 I strolled through the
woods again, thinking of Pearl and her
school with affectionate curiosity.
Soon I heard voices, and l went toward
tFm. Surely enough, there was the
school, in a small clearing,
by trees. My mates were there, and
Pearl in the midst of them, holding a
book. Concealing myself behind a
tree. where l had a 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 a knotty
point was being discussed. Tom
Wren, to my surprise, LOGGING some
what rebellious, was seated on some
stones which had been built up to form
a seat. and Pearl was leaning over his
shoulder.
CHOW, Tom" said Pearl, Il have told
you a hundred, hundred times, and
you're a bad boy. Here it is-A. A is
the first letter. Mr.. Bowden, please to
say your alphabet"
To ny infinite amusement. Mr..
| Bowden, who could not have been less
than sixty years of age, Instantly
stood UP, and, in as awkward a an
ner as any new school-boy could ex-
hibit, went stumblingly through he
alphabet He made a few mistakes on
the journey, and was gravely corrected
by his mates, who themselves were
more often WI, ng than right.
"You see, Tom," said Pearl, holding
up a reproving finger, they all know
better than you. A is the first letter,
and o is in the middle"
But obstinate Tom shook his head.
"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-mistres7 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 dogged
independence on him, before her
what is the first letter of the alpha
bet?"
90" said Tom, very decidedly.
ga, sir, A." cried Pearl.
80, Queen Pearl, if you please"
"'Then I suppose" said Pearl, con
descending to argue, and thus in {
measure weakening her authority an(
strengthening Toms position, 'yol
ter"
"It is not, Queen PEARL" replied
Tom, boldly.
Pearl gazed at him in wonder.
saw the imminence Of the crisis, ant
waited in curiosity for the result.
What is the second letter, them"
en-"
"And the third?"
&C."
: "Ah, you've got that right, then.
is the third letter, and D is tn
fourth"
5 "No, Queen Pearl, it is E."
l Queen Pearl stamped her little foo
and Tom looked as grieved as thong
y he were about to be condemned TO in
, slant execution; but he had the coul
5 age of his convictions, and he held h
ground manfully.
Upon my word" exclaimed Pear
" with a comical air of helplessness,.
really don't know what is to be dor
with such a had boy as this!"
i "Queen Pearl" said Tom, himse
I coming to her rescue, like the sly dc
f he was, what do you say to the 9TH
school-boys settling it?"