Los Angeles herald., 1907-01-13

have you there, sir?" 1 was not aware of her
presence.
was so startled that, facing round. 1 let
go Jackie, who, without more ado, jumped
r'Rmt on TO the old matrons ample shoulders.
me effect was, to me at least, most appall-
ing. with loud shrek, she fell fiat on the
moor III strong hyster-ics while poor Jackie
made straight for Mrs. Glenn's room, where,
found.
The few boys then in the dormitory quick
y gathered round. and while one ran for the
housekeeper, the others assisted in carrying
the matron to her apartment.
As for myself, ! fled from the scene, the
last thing | noticed as / reached the door,
being that horrible cat, with something white
IN ms mouth, bounding up the stairs.
My reflections. i sat on the window-slll
OF the landing on the staircase that led to our
dormitory, were, as might be supposed, far
from pleasant
Grief for the untimely end of my poor pet
was mingled with considerable personal ap.
prehension as to what view the dean would
take of the matter in the morning; for |
knew full well that, even were the matron
too Ill to appear in the hall at breakfast
time, Nobel, the monitor, would not fail to
report the occurrence.
Certain misgivings as to the result Of the
matrons fright also crossed my mind.
At length the breakfast bell rang out, and
] knew my fate would soon be decided.
faint, uncharitable hope passed through my
mind that the matron would not have suff-
GENTLY recovered to attend the table; but
alas! no such good fortune. was in store, for
my reaching the dining hall landing, there
stood the matron.
We were soon in our places, the usual pray
er was given, and we fell to upon our break
fast, | with what appetite may be imagined.
1t was the deans custom to march between
the tables during meals, pausing at the head
of each to listen to any complaints from the
teachers or monitors. As he approached our
line, l closely scanned Mrs. Glenn''s face,
but could make nothing of her intentions.
At last he reached the head of our table,
and all doubts were speedily removed as,
when few words had been exchanged, / was
called from my place, which, being near the
bottom OF the table, prevented me from hear.
ing the. opening sentences of the rehearsal OF
my delinquencies.
On reaching the presence the matron had
got pretty nearly halfway through, and, |
was only in time to catch the following words
eyes, sir, | assure you-a great, live white
rat, as long as that"
Here Mrs, Glenn placed her left hand in
the hollow of her elbow to indicate. poor
Jaczies dimensions. an illustration which, if
true, would have made my poor lost pet some
nizing relation of the hysterical fit.
"What have you to say, sir?" said the
dean.
Having nothing to say, remained silent.
Next came the ominous command, deliv-
cred in expressive tones:
"When you have, finished your breakfast,
sir, go to my room"
Well, well! perhaps we had better draw
veil over the rest: They were not quite so
mercifu at boarding schools twenty years
ago as they have since become.
My father, who seemed TO have calculated
pretty correctly how long | should be able to
conceal Jackie, came to see me that evening,
and while condoling with me on the loss OF
my pet and the unpleasant results of my in.
terview with the project that morning, again
took occasion, in his own goodhumored way,
TO point out the folly of youngsters neglect
ing to seek the advice of their elders.