Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-07-28
The Secret.
BIZ ]. v. ROACH.

bk j. V. ROACH.
The town was new. the schoolhouse was
new. and the teacher was the newest of
all Ten months ago the prairie grass
grew undisturbed except for stray cattle.
then the railroad came and the town
grew. like a mushroom. in a night You
see. most of It was moved over from the
river town. Ave miles away. where the
railroad did not go. few of the chill
dren had attended school before they
came west, but most of them were just
new b c pupils. The teacher and the
schoolhouse commenced their first term
of school together In May, and one knew
quite as much as the other about disci-
pine. and You know discipline is the
most important thing In a well-conducted
school. However. Miss Prince, the teach
er, was as sweet as a wild rose and
quickly won the heart of every pupil.
Mr.. Colby, who owned the claim to the
land on which the schoolhouse stood.
promised as soon as it was really his to
deed a portion of 1t to the town to be
used for school purposes. But Mr.. Colby
had been obliged to sell to Peter Binny
before he was able to carry out his good
intentions. Peter Binny not only refused
to give the land, but also refused to sell
II. and ordered teacher and pupils off his
property
So 1t was very sober school. for they
were allowed but Ave days in which to
find new quarters. Miss Prince, to keep
them from brooding over their trouble,
read story--such a nice. long story all
about war and heroes. Right in the most
interesting part Minnie Mitchell startled
every one by bursting into tears.
Why, Minnie. what Is the trouble7'
asked Miss Prince.
"Oh! obi" sobbed Minnie. It's most
Uncle Dannie."
"And grandpa" gasped Joey Brown.
And Uncle Fred. and-and everybody!
Oh, deari Oh, dearr" cried Milly Prentice.
Amt there Just any old soldiers here
to do things for?" walled Aggie Fenton.
There's old Peter Binny.' sneered Fred
White.
They all looked blankiy at Fred For the
first time these small immigrants we're
homesick Then Miss Prince told story in
which there was something about forgiving
seventy times seven. After long, long
talk each child went home happy; for did
they not all own a part in secret? 1t
was such lovely. inspiring secret, too.
Friday morning. the 3Oth OF May, and the
last day Of school In the schoolhouse. each
person in the village received an invitation
to attend the exercises in the schoolhouse
that afternoon. Now part Of the secret is
out, but not ell. for Peter Binny's invitation
was different from the others.
This new western town was a town OF
the present and the future and most every
one had forgotten about Decoration day
Peter Binnv remembered for, although he
had q Few real IrlenQS sui, once d year Ile
was a hero In his native village. Every
one forget what a cross old man he was, but
1lst thought how bravely he had fought
through the war. That wound In the Shout
der was received while carrying the flag In
the face of great danger. and every Deco
ration day since he had proudly borne the
flag at the head of the procession that
marched to honor his dead comrades. In
wardIy he was very gruff. very homesiek
for the old home back east, but outwardly
he was gruffer than ever.
Imagine his surprise when he received; the
following note signed by teacher and pupils:
Dear Mr Binny:
1--WE, the undersigned. invite you to our
Decoration day exercises this afternoon.
VIII you please come and tell us a story
about the war;?
There, the whole secret Is out; but you
will want to know what happened then.
WELL Just the incest kind Of patriotic songs
and speeches and story from Peter Binny.
Every one went, and. although there was
not even a cemetery in this very new town,
each one could picture the graves in the old
homes and all were drawn together in one
sympathetic bond.
The next day Peter Bnny gave the deed
to the land for the schoolhouse and threw
in two hundred dollars for good measure.
The citizens, not to be outline in good
will, changed the name of the town from
Hermosa to Binnyyiile. which. of course,
Is not so pretty. but means much to Peter
Binny and his small friends. Miss Princes
pupils