The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1906-12-02

they are submitted TO him, but he evolves
them himself. He has a little way Of climb
ing into his fathers lap, for instance, and
announcing;
Here's a sticker for you, father: I just
thought OF it myself. II x'-y'=c' and II
c. tho sum Of and 20 on.
THE Sun reporter was fortunate enough
10 see the wonder child, which Is the Boston
way Of designating him. IL was oon and
he was wandering up and down the high
school corridor. cap and overooat on and
two books under his arm.
He looks no more than his g OF eight
years. He 10 at first sight q rather slender.
small boy with something gaminlike about
him.
This something proves to be q rather
strained intentness in the small face. You
see much the same look in a newsboy dodg-
ing across a crowded street, every nerve
alive to the game he Is playing.
But in this case the thing becomes posi-
lively painful. at least TO a stranger. II is
impossible. OF course, TO reproduce the high.
unnatural voice, the nervous gestures, the
knit brows. the something strange n
abnormal about the whole little figure.
Why don't you 60 home, Winiam5'
some one asked him. You shouldn't stay
In the corridor after your classes
But I am waiting for my motheri' ex-
claimed the child. I'LL cannot 60 With
out her, for l nave to hold her hand in case
I should meet a dog
This is said, rot dihidently, but as II
snnouncing-what 1t really is-a fact OF
psychological interest. His voice Is high
and strained, he struggles with bis words
and his face works ~nervously.
WHAT A big boy like you afraid OF .
dog7"
-Yes-you know cannot. l have al
ways been that way. / cannot help It. II
I see a dog-any dog-I must run away. l
must hide. l like the cat. l think he
searched the ceiling as IL for the exact
phrases he wished, Il think that II there
should be a yard, and in il all the animals
which ever were made, ! should choose
the cat
Isn't your mind able to overcome this
fear7'
"Ah,' the high voice became pinched and
shrill, shat is the very reason I cannot
overcome il! II is in the mind-it Ia a part
OF my mind-it is here-here-
He beat with his childish finger upon his
temple as II he wanted to lay bare the gro
tesque fear which had it's home there and
would not move out. Then his expression
changed. Coming close. he spoke softly.
Sometimes he said, sometimes I say
10 my cat, Dear little cat!''
Thousands Of children say the same thing
TO their own special tabby. tn odd thing
about this boy was that he stood of, men,
tally, and observed himself saying Dear
little cat" and found It an interesting mani
feetation in q boy with an unreasoning ter
ror OF dogs.
For, a. he said, it 10 not only big dogs he
fears. He curls up at the sight Of any little
wooIly canine no more formidable than Q
lamb or wheels.
Have you no brothers or sisters7' he was
asked.
mo-
1T would be fine II you had q BROTHER
-No-oh, moi Because then I would have
TO teach him everything. You SEQ IL
sounded pitiful, but perhaps It was only
that peculiarly thin, high voioe-.you see,
I know 90 much. Why, I know as much -
man so years DID,
-Oh, l gueee not
yes. yes-it Il true
He began 10 get on the nerves OF his ques-
toner, who said to him:
You ought 10 get out and play, and let
books alone
But, don't you see. I can't play out, for
my mother would have TO be there all the
time-because Of the possibility that I might
see a dog. Idon't see why she doesn't come
now"
Does school nave two sessions7"
-what?' his eyes suddenly screwing up
into questioning intentness.
DO you have two sessions q day7"
Il don't know what you mean What Is
thst7 Two s~essions'?'
DO You have school both morning and
a%fternoon7"
mo. And,' almost violently; .it would
not be right anyway. The mind, the mind
OF youth, cannot take In more than-than
a certain mount. II beoomes-it becomes
filed, and then, II you try 20 crowd more
INTO the dug his small fingers into his
t~smples--you Just crowd out what is already
~there-and you are back where you began.
And then, too. you would AVE no chance
no opportunity-to make your lessons at
home"
This use Of the word make was the only
instance Of q slip in speech. And certainly
hllb n vi uahO N tANo ~
as do" OF perhaps al get
what books have you there''
algebra and geometry regarding them
additionally.
what study do you like bessl'
Mathematics. / don't care about his
tory. / can't-I can' gee It into my mind;
again prodding at his temples and pinching
his voice indescribably.
DO you study GRAMMAR
NO. calmly. Il knew that BEFORE
Before what?s
He looked blank.
Before what?'
He turned his back and muttered some
thing indisting uishable.
what other study do you have besides
mathematician
Physics.
As a matter OF fact he has Latin also.
The master who declared that the child's
wonderful achievements would keep a per-
son awake nights said that he Is a marvel
In English.