The Greeley tribune., 1905-12-21
Judith ef the
Plains
BY MARIE MANNING.
Aushor Of Lord Allinsham. Bankrupt
Copu;Rhi. 1903. b. Harper & Bsothen
[coHTINUED.1

The Misses Yellett were hardly less
terrifying than their brothers. They
had their fathers fierce, hawklike pro
dle, softened by youth, and the appall-
ing height and robustness due to the
freedom and fresh air of nomadic
existence. Their costumes might,
Mary thought, have been fashioned out
Of gunny sacks by the simple eXpedi-
ent Of cutting holes for the head and
arms. The boys Wore overalls and
flannel shirts. which, in contrast to the
sketchy effects of their sisters cos
tunes, seemed almost modish. Mrs.
Yellett then left the "class room," say
ing she must take Ben's place with the
aheep.
The Brobdingnags. huge of stature,
sinister of aspect deeply distrustful of
the rites in which they We're about to
participate, closed in about their
teacher.
Miss Carmichael took her place be-
hind the upturned tub.
will you please be seated?" she
said
Mary made out roll call. and by
unanimous consent it was agreed to
arrange the class as 1t then stood, or.
rather, squatted, with the herculean
Ben ut the top. and gradually dimin-
iahing in size till it reached the vanish
ing point with Cacta, who was ten and
the least terrifying of all.
"And now,' ventured the teacher,
With the courage of a white rabbit.
what have you been in the habit Of
studying?'
Absolute silence on the part of the
straight as row Of bottles, present
ing faces imperturbable as so many
sphinxes.
Other questions met with an equally
Aiaheartening response. Miss Car
michael sat up straight, pushed back
the persistent curls from her face and
bent every energy toward the achieve
ment Of firm demeanor.
-Clemahs," said she. wisely select
ing perhaps the least formidable Of the
class, II want you to give me some
hsa of the kind of work you have been
doing. 80 that We may all be able to
understand each other. Now, In your
mathematics, for instance, which Of
you have finished with your arithme-
dc, and which,
~What do you meanr begged Glenn
atia, somewhat fearful.
Where are you in your arithmetic?"
Nowhere, ma'am."
~Do you mean you have never learn
d any" Mary Carmichael shuddered
- she icily put the question.
Yes, ma'am."
rs that the case with all of you?"
Emphatic mods left no room for
doubt
Then We'll leave that for the pres
ent If you will tell me. Clematis,
what kind Of work you have been do
ing In your history and English, we will
Ost to work on those today. What
books have you been using?"
Not unnaturally Clematis, who was
emotional and easily impressed. began
to feel as though she were "a criminal
6he sobbed in helpless, feminine
way. Ben spoke up from the top of the
class.
VIC GAIL SoS Ao DOOhop SdAA ACp AA
grim rebuke, as though to put an end
to q prof1tless discussion.
"Do you wish me to understand"
Quavered Mary, that you have had no
studies - that you can't read - that
you-don't know-anything?"
That's it." said Ben, with the near
est approach to cheerfulness he had
yet manifested.
Meanwhile there lay on the teachers
'tdesk" copies Of CIodd's Childhood of
the World" two of that excellent Sc
Hes Of History Primers" and 1.-The
Young Geologist," all carefully select
cd in the fullness Of Mary's ignorance
for the little pupils of her Imagination.
She had brought no primer, as Mrs.
Yellett's letter had distinctly said that
the youngest child was ten and that
all were comparatively advanced in
their studies. More than ever Mary
1onged to penetrate the mystery of
that Irish linen decoy, for without
doubt It was to be her melancholy fate
to conduct this giant band through the
alphabet!
Accordingly. she wrote out the letters
OF the alphabet with large simplicity
( and a sublime renunciatiOn of flourish
The class received It tepidly. Mary
grew eloquent over its answering
verities. The class remained luke
warm. The difference between a and
b was a matter Of Indifference to the
house Of Yellett- They regarded their
teachers strenuous efforts to furnish q
key to the requirement Of the alphabet
with the amused superiority Of 'grewn-
ups" watching infant antics with pen
I'll and paper.
A single glance had convinced Ben