The record-union., 1899-05-01
QUITE OUT OF ORDER.

yes, you had certainly better send
Bobbie to school, wrote the Major from
Umballa Il am sure from your ac-
counts he is getting more than you can
manage; it would be different II were
at home but unfortunately l nave an
other year here at least. so look out
a good school forthwith, Betty (mlnd
it is good one-we must pay Tor II
somehow, and get the boy off.
My hest love to you, darling, ana
kisses to all our pets Your loving
husband, JAMES TRAVERS.
The Indian mail had just come to
Dcvebrcok, the small village where Bet
ty Travers had erscCnced herself and
family for the term of her husband s
absence, and she now stood at the par
lor window, in a glare of warm, March
sunshine, reading the thin, precious
sheets, and sometimes puzzling little
over the Majors rather illegible cali
gTaphy.
The last sentence was plain enough,
however and in her joy at getting her
letter Betty was quite willing to carry
out its injunctionsL
'YeS, Jim is right she said decidedly.
"Bobbie does take advantage of me,
and he really is very tiresome; besides,
I believe, / firmly believe" little
doubtfully, 1.-The child would be hap
pier at school with little companions.
He shall co.
The sound of sixpenny trumpet
blown by the unconscious 1-yaar-old
son in discordiant blasts put the finish
ing touch to his fate 1t was excru-
ciating, and, being followed by lusty
crying from the nursery, indicated that
it had awakened baby from his precious
morning sleep. That meant Betty
must take charge of him and his two
older sisters while nurse got on with
her work There never was such a
child for mischief thought the mother,
and at that moment cook appeared
with a tale of further misdemeanors.
Master Bobbie had taken her clean
tea-cloths to wash out his rabbit hutch,
and walked off with the milk she had
put aside for the nursery pudding to
regale his white mice"
School. l should think so,' cried
Betty to herself quite savagely, and
she ran upstairs to the nursery. 1--WE
have had his reign of terror long
enough" Betty was nothing if not
impetuous She wrote off by the next
post for the prospectus of a school she
had had at one time recommended TIC
her, and lost no time in acquainting the
culprit with the same.
Bobbie, the rosy-cheeked, curly head
ed little rascal, received the intelligence
with apparent unconcern, though his
little face fell as his mother proceeded
to dilate on the order and discipline he
must expect at school. you will have
to be a good boy there, Bobbie," she
said.
'.Shan't,' replied Bobbie stoutly.
Il wish 1 could go to school," said
Ethel, his next sister, pattern little
girl who never tore her pinafore OF
neglected to put away her toys.
oh you; there is no need for you to
60" retorted Betty half contemptuous-
ly- Goodness is apt to be monotonous,
and in spite of all his faults or mora
probably for that very reason, Bobbie
was her favorite.
Clare House School offered so manv
advantages and inducements that one
felt almost inclined to pity those I'M
fortunate children who could not be
sheltered under its roof. Betty went on
q visit of inspection, saw the Principal
and his sister, was shown over the
house and refreshed with afternoon tea.
All appeared most satisfactory, and in
deciding then and there that her son
should become a pupil of the establish
ment Betty felt she was acting in a
prompt and impartial manner, as be-
fitted a soldiers wife.
When she got out of the train eft
Dovebrook station she encountered a
lady friend L have just been 10
Gov
Robbie she said, with the tired, con-
tented sigh of a woman who returns
from a successful shopping expedition.
'Oh, indeed; is Bobbie going to
school?"
Yes, 1 have decided to send him; he
is getting too much for me- continued
doubtful mind to have its decision in
dorsed.
Poor little fellow" was the unex-
pected reply He is going to be sent
away from home early
Betty pursued her way home less ex-
ultantly 1T is all settled, Bobbie, -
she said, as the little man ran to meet
her. You are going away to school
next week
The sunshine died out of Bobbie's
face.
Who viii feed my rabbits?" he
asked.
"Oh-well-perhaps 1 will
Bobbie looked doubtful. Already he
had learned the amount of reliance to
be placed on feminine promises.
But the white mice, mother?" he
added anxiously. You don't like them
cause of their tails"
mo, I don't like their tails said
Betty with a shudder, but We will see. "
And they have to be cleaned out
mother, and the rabbits, too
Never minds your pets now, Bobbie
Let me tell you all about your nice
school"
For the next few days Bobbie felt the
Importance of the change in his pros
poets, and confided it to all with whom
he came in contact The butcher said
there was nothing like a good edication