The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1900-03-08

Phil, it appeared, was in no hurry to
make man of himself, for he contin-
ued to dream and idle and draw pic
| lures on his slate when his mind should
have been intent on the detested fig
ures.
He could set whole roomful of boys
laughing over his queer conceits and
caricatures, taking all the while more
trouble in slipping through .ecitations
with unlearned lessons than would have
been necessary in learning them welh
But examination day. with it's mer-
ciless test, could not be slipped
through. and Phil's standing was so
disgracefully low as to determine his
father to send him away to school.
in hope of awakening his ambition to
do better.
An uncle of his lived on large
farm only few miles from the acad-
emy, and Phil had the delightful priv
i!ege of spending his Saturdays and
Sundays with them.
No other child was there, and Phil
was made much of in way which sx-
actly suited his taste and his views of
his own merits.
Hes the brightest boy l ever saw"
said Aunt Maria Jane to her husband.
"Look at those calves and sheep he's
drawn! And old Carlo sleeping on the
porch--I declare he looks just ready
to get up and bark!"
"Yes; but it takes me more the way
4. l. 4 -
ben.
"Yes. Just look at these recipes he
copied for mel"
Hes bound to make a smart man
"a smart man." said Uncle Reuben,
energetically. ITS pleasant to-have
a lively little chap like him coming
about the place"
II was thinking" said Aunt Maria
Jane, "that it would be a good idea
to let him invite some of his school
mates down to spend the day. These
October days are so pleasant"
That's well thought Of" said Uncle
Reuben, warmly. Its a grand place
for lot of boys to have a frolic.
Here, Phil"
Phil had been aiing for few days
and had come over to the farm on
Wednesday, to remain until the fol-
lowing Monday. He was, however,
rapidly improving and now came in
with piece of paper, on which he
displayed a drawing of Susan, the
maid, at her churnihg, while an i'm
mense spider appeared swinging by
its web close behind her unconscious
face.
"The spiders fancy piece, not
portrait" explained Phil.
The two good souls laughed as
heartily as he had expected them to.
sSee here, my boy" said Uncle
Reuben, your uncle's old hands are
getting stiff with work and age Sit
down and write q note for me to Abel
Hughes. Tell him we want our wood
hauled now, SOS to be we'll seasoned
before winter sets in. How many
cords will we need, mother?"
About 22 to get us well through,
/ Think
"Yes, 22. And then / guess you're
well enough to ride the pony down to
where AbePs got his men chopping-
it's three miles-and carry the note.
Write iteoff lively. then, for / must be
outdoors. Where's my glasses?" said
the farmer, looking around as Phil
submitted his note. Never mind,
though; read it to me. Yes, that's all
right, and looks like a scholars work.
I can see that without my glasses.
Now, Phil your aunt and mes been
thinking it would be pleasant for you
to ask some of your boy friends over
to spend Saturday here with you,
hey?"
"Oh, Aunt Maria Jane, what a jolly
ideal" exclaimed Phil, in great de-
light. you're both so good!"
"Well, write to DR.. Trueman, and
ask him with mothers compliments
to let 'em come. \ good lot of EN-.
dozen or more, say?"
"Yes, more than that. Let's give
them grand picnic" said Aunt Maria
Jane. with a beaming face Twenty
OF thirty. | like boys. There's room
enough and plenty TO eat, I'm sure"
III say 25. then, shall II"
And Phil wrote and sent his letter.
then took his ride to the woodchopper.
whats this? a funeral?" said Aunt
Maria Jane, looking in amazement from
the window. Must be funeral from
ha tnf hut I Ln IT,. =