The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-11-07

and this week. the subject was George
Washington"
Emily Louise had just set forth upon
legal cap her opening conclusions upon the
matter. She had gone deep into the family
annals of George, for, by nature, Emily
Louise was thorough, and William had tes-
titled that she was conscientious.
George Washington was a great man and
so was his mother"
Here she paused, pen suspended; for the
full meaning Of a statement in the history
spread before her had suddenly dawned
upon her; for that history declared George
Washington "a firm advocate for these re-
publican principles.
Should an Emily Louise then turn traitor
to her father, or should she desert an Aunt
Cordelia and an Aunt Louise?
Life is complex. At II a quicker of Absorb
ton and concentration begins to gather be-
tween the brows.
On the homeward way William was wait
ing at the corner. What is a person when
the are not either Democrat or Repub-
lican?" Emily Louise asked, as they went
along.
Williams tones were uncompromising. "a
mugwump,' he said, and he said it with
contempt.
1t sounded unpleasant and as though 1t
ought to merit the contempt of William.
And grammar was becoming as complex
as life itself. One forenoon Emily Louise
was called upon TO recite the rule. Every
day it was a different rule, which in itself
was discouraging. But the exceptions were
worse than the rule: for a rule is a matter
of a mere paragraph. while the exceptions
are measurable by pages.
But Emily Louise knew the rule. Even
with town one background for flag and
bunting; even with the streets one festive
professional; even with the advent, in her
city. of the President of the United States
on his tour of the South; even with this
in her civic precincts, Emily Louise, aris-
ing. was able to correctly recite the rule.
"An article should only be used once be-
fore a complex description of one and the
same object"
IAN example," said Miss Amanda.
Emily Louise stood perplexed, for none
had been given in the book.
simply apply the rule and make your
own" said Miss Amanda.
But it did not seem simple: Emily Louise
was still thinking in the concrete.
Hattie had grasped distractions. Hattie
waved her hand. There was a scarlet spot
upon her cheek. Before school there had
been words between Hattie and Isobel. The
politics of the President of the United
States had figured in it, and Emily Louise
had learned that the President was a Re-
publican And yet flags. And professions,
Miss Amanda said, well, Halter"
Hattie arose, There is a single, only, SOL
itary Republican pupil in this class" said
she promptly and with emphasis.
Miss Amanda might proceed to consider
the proposition dramatically. her mind be-
ing on the rule and not the import, but the
class interpreted it as Hattie meant they
should. In their midsti And unsupported!
Emily Louise grew hot. Could Hattie,
would Hattie do this thing? Hattie accuse
her thus? Yet who else could Hattie mean?
The heart of Emily Louise swelled-Hattie
to do this thing!
And Hattie was wrong. She should know
that she was wrong. She would read it in
her own autograph album, just brought to
Emily Louise for her inscribing. Emily
Louise remained in at recess. Verse was
beyond her. She recognized her limitations.
Some are born to prose and some to higher
things. She applied herself to a plain
statement in Hattie's album:
Dear Hattie-I am a Mugwump and
your true friend.
EMILY LOUISE MAC LAUREN"
Then she put the book on Hattie's desk
as the bell rang.
With the class came a visible and audible
excitement. Mr.. Page followed, his hair
wildly erect, and he conversed with Miss
Amanda hurriedly.'
With visual signaling and labial dumb
show Emily Louise implored enlightenment.
ours is the honor class, so we're to be
chosen" enunciated Hattie in a staccato
whisper.
Rosalie was nearer. There's to be a
presentation-in the chapel whispered
Resale: "sh-h-he's going to choose us
now"
Mr.. Page and Miss Amanda were survey
ing the class Some two score pairs OF
eager eyes sought each to stay those
chances upon themselves. Perhaps Mr.. Page
lacked courage. 1.-THE choice I leave to YOU"
said he to Miss Amanda. Then he went.
Miss Amanda was also visibly excited
She settled her chain and pulled the Ella
borate couture OF her hair, the while she
continued to survey the class. She looked
hesitant and undecided. glancing from row
TO row; then, as from some inspiration. her
face cleared and she grew arch, shaking
a finger playfully. ITO the victors belong
the spoils." she said with sprighty humor.
land IL will. at least. narrow the choice.