News and citizen. [volume] (Morrisville, Vt. ;) 1881-current, 1905-03-29

M written home. Mr.. Scratchley
wrote to Mr.. Crawcour to ash
If he could make arrangements to keeL
Jack at the school, as he only wished
him to have holidays once a year, and
that at Christmas. For slight extra
charge this was settled, and much tt
Jacks disgust he was told he would
have to remain for six weeks by him
self at Pomona House. The tears
came into his eyes at this act of in
Justice, for he had looked forward tC
going to what he had right to con
slider his home All the boys were full
of animation and jollity. He alont
was sOmber and dOwncast. No wonder
that he was so. Nothing can be more
crushing to the spirits of a schoolboy
than to be kept behind when all the
cest are going home to mothers, fathers
sisters and friends.
He had one companion. however
This was Fisher. Ever since the ter
rible scene in the river he had beer
i'll and dropping. His constitution was
too weak to stand the shock, and ht
caught Il severe cold which settled Oh
his chest.
Frequent were the visits of his
mother and father to his bedside anC
they would have gladly taken hin
to his London home, but the doctor
strongly advised them to let him re
main in the fresh country air. This
was how Jack Harkaway came to have
a companion in misfortune.
The holidays dragged themselves
along with provoking slOwness. Mr.
and Mrs. CrawcOur departed for toul
IN Switzerland, taking their children
with them Mr. Mole went to his re
cations. who were merchants at Bristol
The other masters might have beer
heard Of at Margate. The housekeepel
and servants alone remained: so that
Jack had pretty well his own way.
A holiday task which had been given
aim to do did not occupy much of his
time, as he didn't let it. To Fisher he
Behaved like a brother. and the poor
little fellow was very grateful to him
Cor his unselfsh kindness. He sat by
his bedside for hours and read to him
or talked with him upon various sub.
1ects interesting to boys, but Fisher
was a peculiar boy and did not care
much for those amusements in which
lads of his own age usually revel. Even
to Jacks inexperienced eyes it seemed
as if death had marked him for his own.
His face was so pale and his eyes were
so unnaturally bright; his thin. trans,
parent hand would lay on the coverlet
like wax, and his breathing was la
Bored and difficult.
All sorts of luXuries and nice things
were sent him by his friends, of which
ne pressed Jack to partake. OF books
he had large store, but he did not like
travels and biographies unless they re.
lated to missionaries and good men,
Jack used to read aloud the adven-
lures, perils and hardships of party of
missionaries in Madagascar. Fishers
syes would gisten still more brightly
and an expression of almost divine en-.
thusiasm cross his eloquent features as
he listened with greedy ears.
"Ah" he would say, with sigh
'TThat is what l should like to have
done. Gladly would | give up every
thing for my Saviour, but l fear l shall
Be called away before long"
ooh, no, you won't. You are i'll anC
seel weak You'll soon be strong ant
On your legs again." Jack said.
"Do you really think SOP" asked the
invalid thoughtfully. 81 wish l could
and yet l don't know why l should
wish it. 1t is nice to die young, Jack
mean before one has been exposed tS
Bny great temptation. 1t is very hard
90 try and keep steadfast in the faith"
1.-The doctor thinks you will get bet
Ger" said Jack, passing the back of his
1aEd over his eyes.
whether l do or not, l shall never
sorget you. VIII you read to me now?
Take the New Testament; open it any
where; you are sure to find something
comforting 1t is only when we are i'll,
Jack, that we know the value of the
Bible"
"Have something more lively" sug-
gested Jack. Robinson Crusoe now"
''To me there is nothing so interesting
n the Bible. You are strong and well,
md perhaps don't think as | do. The
boys say you did not know your
mother. Oh, Jack, if you had mother
IKE mine, you would-but you seem