Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1904-01-27


unmolested. The chiefest of bis tor
mentors was Red Head, but there was
no partially. All the boys drubbed
him.
One day Mrs. Gary made him a
pair of breeches. They were good,
stout breeches Of dove colored cordu-
row. and his mother was proud of
them. So was Willie. AS he walked
to school he felt that every one saw
and admired them. He felt as con-
spicuous as when, in a dream, he
went to school in his night dress, but
he felt more comfortable.
He took his seat in the schoolroom
proudly, and when he was called to
! the blackboard to do a sum he walked
with strut. He felt that even the
big boys, the wonderful youths who
had money to Jingle in their pockets,
observed him. and he blushed as he
imagined the eyes Of the little women
on the girls side Of the room follow
ing him.
| AS he crossed the floor the legs Of
his breeches rubbed against each
other, giving forth the crisp corduroy
sound of "whist-whist-w It
could be heard in the farthest corner.
All the scholars looked up from their
| states or books. He caught Bessie
Clayton's eye upon him and his cheek
famed She had blue eyes and yell
low curls and snubbed him daily.
Even the teacher glanced at his
new breeches. Willie paused in his
sum and looked at them with salts
faction himself. Then he walked
back to his bench, and the corduroy
spoke again, Observation-Disclosures"
1t was as musical as the dumping Of
new pair Of red topped boots.
AS he slid into his place on his
bench, Red Head turned his face and
made a mouth.
Don't you think you're smart,
Whistle Breeches?' he whispered.
"Whist-whist," said the breaches
eye in the school seemed to gaze on
him, not enviously as before, but
sneeringly. Who'd want whistle
hreeches?
When the recess bell rang, Willie
walked to the playground with short
ed Two boys behind him laughed,
and Willie burned with shame. They
must be laughing at his new breeches.
Bessie Clayton passed him, and he
stood motionless crowded against the
wall, until she was out Of hearing.
He paused in the doorway timidly.
Red Head was standing just outside,
one shoulder turned toward Freckles
| Redmond. 1t was the signal for a
fight, and the small boys were crowd
ed about them.
cav, you're one yourself" Red
Head was saying, "an' you dassn't
say it agin. I dare you to it," he
cried, but he caught sight of Willie.
"Huhr' he shouted, 'look here, fell
lers. Here's Whistle Brooches. Let's
spit on emp
The boys crowded into the entry
and spat on them. Red Head pulled
Willie's hair twice. drawing his head
forward as he would pull bell rope.
Don't he think he's smartv'
"Wouldn't have 'emw whistle
Breechesv' whistle Breechesr They
shouted in derision, and Willie whim-
pered and edged into a corner.
Don't you do that" he said in a
choking voice. "I'll tell teacher, I
will"
Red Head stuck his freckled face
close, and showed him with warlike
shoulder His fists were doubled, and
he jabbed Willie with his elbow.
Jaw, you tell him then, why don't
you, Whistle Breeches" he inquired.
"Jist you tell him, an I'll punch your
face off,"
He drew his arm back and tented.
Willie crooked his elbow to hide his
face, and sobbed.
Jaw, come on, fellers," said Red
Head with deep disgust whats the
use of foolin' with him? He amt
nothin' but cry baby in whistle
breaches. He amt no fun"
That noon Willie remained in the
| ScuOOlTOOuI uHCll Iu0 UOtS udQ zone.
Some went home for dinner, and the
rest ate their lunches under the oak
tree at the side Of the school, When
the room was clear, Willie stole out
by the back way and ran rapidly up
the alley. He knew he was branded
for life. The shame Of the name of
Whistle Brooches bore him down. He
meditated wild plans for getting rid
Of the offending garment. He would
burn it, lose it in the river. He even
considered running away from home.
After dinner he slipped quietly away
from the table, crept up to his room
under the slanting roof, and put on
his old, patched breeches. He came
down quietly, but his mother caught
him tiptoeing through the hall.
"Why, Willie," she said, where are
your new breeches. dear?"
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