Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1899-11-18
UNCLE JOsEPHs SECRET.

Caroline had looked forward through
the long winter months to some sort
of vacation, but summer did not
find the family treasury in proper
shape to stand either the expense of
a long trip or a board bill at a lake
resort. This was a humiliation, and
1 was not surprised that now and then
she sounded a note of discomfort.
IF L only could go to Uncle Jo-
seph's," she said one afternoon,
throwing down her embroidery impa-
tiently. .. is home is beautiful. The
lawn and flowers make it as quiet and
attractive summer resort. Be
sides, mother, dear. L could meet your
old schoolmates. It's just selfish for
him to live there all alone. Why
doesn't he get married and nave COM
pany, like the rest =?
That's Uncle jose = secret, my
child L replied. Mother has never
told you about it, but if you will not
fret me, until this work is finished,
you shall hear a story that may ex-
plain"
That evening after twilight 1 read to
my daughter from crumpled manu-
script i he story had been hastily
sketched and thrown aside; when L
realized NY inability to give any con-
clusIon to the final situation-but here
it is!
(Which shall it be?" thought Miss
Wilson she drew back from the
teachers roll, late in the afternoon of
a June day. The time had come to
announce the name, which would lead
the honor roll for the whole year of
rs. True enough, she had had months
in which to weigh the merits of each
pupil, but this length of time led to
indecision.
better boy never entered school
than Joseph Gray. Day after day he
trudged his lonely path, always to
take up the morning duties cheerfully.
Every one in the arithmetic class
looked to Joseph to place the hardest
examples on the board. When Miss
Mary Wilson looked into the faces of
her history class, fearing that dry
facts and dates would not be mastered,
she caught CLEAN from JoSeph'S
eyes, which foretold the interest he
was sure to create by the recital of the
lesson story. The characters were
alive to this small boy. He read of
their adventures and achievements
with the thrill of true American
child, who looks forward to every OPP
portunity for fortune and fame. Ger
tainly Joseph was the leader.
But there was katherine Carney, q
veritable fairy. Unlike the awkward
Joseph, whose writing assumed the
appearance of an Egyptian scrawl in
spite of his efforts to cramp the
clumsy fingers, she could put into her
work the touch of a genius. Neatness
and care are delight to the heart of
every teacher. How tastefully Kath-
crime arranged her diagrams. How
beautiful were the outlines and mapsi
Among the other traits, that placed
her high in the estima ton of her pre-
ceptress, the little kindnesses took
first rank. smile, a winning cour
tesy, were sure to enter the room with
the happy heart of Katherine.
Forty anxious faces awaited the an
nouncement. katherine had tried hard
to win the prize, because her father
had offered splendid treat if she
were given the right to celebrate its
capture. The struggle had been more
severe for Joseph. Well he knew how
hard his widowed mother found it to
keep the children in school Often
when the tired face leaned over his at
night, and looked into the eyes of her
most precious jewel, he would yearn
to lift the burden. But his offers to
stay at home always met with the
same response, you can never help
me much, my son, unless you learn
your lessons we'll" Then came the
manly response, I'll do my best
As Joseph sat with his eyes riveted
on his teacher, conflict ragged within.
The face of his mother, radiant with
Joy on account of her sons success,
would rise in his imagination. Then
beside it the face of a disappointed
child Not only Miss Wilson had been
touched by the sweetness and gentle
ness of Katherine For some time Jo-
seph had been growing to feel that his
fortune must suecumb to hers. The
prize lost its charm for him when he
realized that it contained one joy for
her. His manly heart swelled with
pride for his ideal, and to see the light
OF success come into that face amid
the curls would pay him for any sac
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