The Chickasha daily express. (Chickasha, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1899-current, 1906-03-20
The Hero of
the Boys

I
audibly as he went his way to school.
He was a timid little fellow. and the
rough practical jokes which gave his
elders so much joy filled his young
life with woe.
So do not despise George Washing
ton Jones that he used his clean little
pocket handkerchief for other than its
presumptiye end and aim in life as
he saw the school building rise. not
In the distance, but in the near, the
too near neighborhood.
One of the tricks of Bobby Sampson,
the ten.year-old, was to snatch from
the hand of George Washington Jones
his absurd schoolbag, containing his
little luncheon and No reader.
This treasure he secreted behind his
own desk or the door, far from the
sight and ken of its distressed owner.
George was unable to sustain his part
In class, looking over another boys
book being against the law Of Miss
Bristors room. The idea of complaint
had not entered his head. He suf-
fered dumbly, more in wonder than in
anger.
On this particular morning, the 21st
OF February, Bobby lay in wait for his
victim.
"Yah!" he yelled. seizing the bag.
"What1l you do without this. kid?"
1t was bitter drop in George
Washington Jones' cup that he was
called kid"
you lemme lone" he protested,
futilely.
But Bobby had already clinched the
bag.
Robert Cray" said the teachers
voice, what are you doing with
Georges bag? Give 1t back to him.
You will have to stay in If you tease
him. have told you that before"
Bobby gave back the bag. He shook
his fist at George Washington Jones.
"Jes' you wait!" he threatened.
1 At that moment Miss Bristol's at
tention was claimed by the mother Of
one of her pupils, who had come to-
point out certain errors, as she con-
ceived them, of Miss Bristol's system
of government
chance. Staying in on that particular
day, when he had special preparations
to make for the coming holiday, was
as wormwood to his soul He clutched
Georges shoulder. "Looky herel" He
spoke breathlessly. when she asts
ye what was doing wife yer bag, We
say, I give 1t to him to hold See?
If ye don't say that, yen be sneak.
seel An I'll smash yer head-see?"
Several boys had gathered around
the two To this audience Bobby rap
idly and succinctly explained the stu
alton.
"You jes' say It, kid" said Jim
Short, the least malicious of the class,
"and you shall come with us, recess,
an have dandy time!"
''I'll say it." declared George Wash
ington Jones.
Miss Bristol, her temper acidulated
by the controversy aforementioned.
turned her attention to matters civil
Places" she said, sharply. AS these
were sought her eyes fell upon clus-
ter Of violets in the bosom of her
dress. She smiled. Tomorrow would
be holiday, spent with the sender Of
her flowers. Then she remembered
the Father of her Country, and re-
membered only that it was Feb. 81.
She recounted the story Of the ak, the
cherry tree. the stern parent, the boy
hero. George Washington Jones list
ened breathlessly. His soul was fired
with admiration-with emulation.
And then came-recess.
Before you can go out, Bobby"
added Miss Bristol, 81 want you to
tell me why you had Georges lunch.
con bag?"
"TIe gave it to me to hold" lied
Bobby, smoothly.
'Did you, George?" asked the teach
er. Then, remembering that she had
Just missed the personal application Of
her story, she said: BE sure you tell
the truth. We must all tell the truth.
always! But you especially, for you
are named George Washington"
The namesake's eyes filled with
tears. No. he couldn't tell lie-he
couldn't. But-what would recess be
like II he didn't?
"Well?" Miss Bristol's tone was i'm
patient
'T-I-never," gasped George. in
triumphant ago.sy.
"Then, Bobby, L stay after
school," came the verdict. "You can
all go out now"
Georges arm quivered in Bobby'e
relentless grasp.
"Ye little, snealing. sniveling"
He failed to find any word to do JUS |
tice to his conception Of George.
Didn't ye say ye would-C,dnt yer"
He punctuated his words with
shakes and slaps and pinches.