The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1899-02-23
Getting an Education.

Harold Mannering's mother was one of
| the sweetest little women imaginable, and
| one would but wonder why she was able
| 70 exercise so little influence over hcr
| cherished son. Not that he was lacking IN
| hlial affection or respect and esteem But
! he failed to carry out mis- parents desires
to devote plenty of time TO study, TO
equip himself thoroughly 10 battle with
lies difficult problems.
Time and again he had been reprimand-
| ed, in as gentle a manner as possible, 1t
is true, about his shortcomings IN this re-
spect, but with a display Of endear1ng az
! lection he laughed his mothers fears
away, and then the matter would be drop
ped for the time being.
Tutors had been engaged. but left in
disgust, having accomplished nothing in
the way Of instilling learning in young
Harold's head. which was filed with
much natural intelligence, if he would but
exert sufficient energy to do little earn
est studying.
As a last resort Mrs. Mannering decided
to try an experiment, having thought out
a clever idea, which seemed just suited to
this particular case and caused her many
laugh IN the privacy of her apartments.
Some time after this Harold, who was
now nearing his twentieth year. was in
formed that his mother had made up her
mind to engage as companion young
( lady by the name of Ethel Grey, the
| daughter Of as old friend of hers, who
until now had devoted her spare time
to teaching. as she was in staritened cir
| cumstances, and was eager to accept this
new position as less arduous and more
agreeable and lucrative
Harold expressed his delight by saying:
oh, mother, how jollyl Now can Dor
row Miss Grey occasionally, so she can
help amuSe me, for l am tired OF doing
that for myself
To which Mrs. Mannering replied: "Oh,
f1e. one would think she was coming here
for your sole benefit, you spoiled boy" at
the same time winking slyly at Mr.. Man.
nering, who shared he rsecret
Shortly after Miss Grey had been INSTALL
ed in her new position Harold was found
TO be much more studious, and inquiry
of the former, who had become acquaint-
ed with the facts of the case, proved her
a fine ally, as she had positively refused
TO accompany Harold anywhere or devote
any time at all to him unless he was will
ing that they study together. and finally,
in self defense, he agreed to her plans.
To Mr.. and Mrs Mannering's great joy
the change in their son was soon appar-
ent to all who met him frequently and
much commented upon, so that when
Harold approached them a year later
they were we'll prepared and eager for
the glad tidings he had in store for
them, which came about in this way.
Miss Grey, or rather Ethel, as Harold
now took pleasure in calling her, said to
him one day, as had been agreed upon
by the trio: 81 shall soon be far away;
your mother no longer needs me, and as
you are competent to enter college now,
,1- f1,o f1-
vices, which have been solicited else
where, and though I regret exceedingly
to leave you all, who have been so good
and true friends TO me, that is my only
course
Vehemently Harold had interrupted
Ethel several times, but had been repuls-
ed until she had had her say, when he eX-
claimed impatiently: Ethel, dear, can
you imagine for a moment that I would
let you go? You, little one, who have &C.
complshed so much in teaching me the
past year? I desire to have you take me
as a pupil all your life. While learning
invaluable lessons through your kind in
dulgesce, I have succeeded in learning
those of love also, than which no sweeter
task exists; and now, sweetheart, tell me,
do I plead in vain? And now that you
have aroused the noblest impulses within
me, that were apparently dormant, would
you run away without completing wour
duty?"
A dropping Of Ethers golden head was
the sole answer, and none other was
needed, as looking into the eyes. now up
lifted gently, her lover read his answer
there.
Entering their beautiful home, Harold
went to his mothers boudoir. and, takin e
EtheIs hand in his. exclaimed eagerly:
"Oh, mother, dear, have learned much
from this dear little girl Of which you
approve and have noticed with pleasure,
but one lesson have 1 learned more thor
oughly than all others, and that is the
meaning of the verb TO love- I now only
ask my loved ones consent to our mar
rage, which 1 feel 1 have already"
MY dear boy" exclaimed Mrs. Man
nering, both Ethel and you have receiv-
ed our blessing weeks ago. when we no
ticed with the geratest delight your fond
ness for one another, and the successful
termination of our experiments. for an
explanation Of which 1 refer you to our
charming Ethel
The latter so well divulged the secret,
and in so sweet and humorous a manner,
that Harold was completely won over
to the victorious side and appreciated the
laugh at his own expense more than all
the others, as he had also been victori-
Gus in winning so dainty prize as Miss
Dec Sc&