Cameron County press. [volume] (Emporium, Cameron County, Pa.) 1866-1922, 1907-12-12
HOW
HORACE
WAS
CURED
By BEN HAMS



slight, and his face shade too pale,
but otherwise a son of whom any
parents might have been proud. There
was gentle winsomeness in the soft,
dark eyes. with that indeinable look
that betrays at once an impusively
affectiouate nature, whose very life.
almost, depends upon a reciprocation
of its gift. Several times he lifted
his glance toward a lady of scarcely
middle age, who. rather over-dressed
for so early in the morning, was bus
lily engaged with her pen. At last he
spoke.
Mamma, won't you please help me
with this example, he said I've
got all the rest, but | cant see how
to start this one"
Don't bother me now, Horace!" the
busy mother replied Ask your tu-
tor when he comes. Don't you know
that l have this paper to write for
the Emerson club this afternoon?"
The boy subsided into heap in
the soft cushions.
The day wore away slowly to the
boy-they usually did; but evening
came at last. Mr.. Gilmore took his
lunch, perforce, at a restaurant, and
as business was heavy now. did not
usually reach home until dark, just
in time for dinner. That meal over,
the family of four were settled in
the cozy library. Mr.. Gilmore deep
behind his paper, as usual After
some time the boy ventured fidently
to his fathers chair, and silently
stood with his hand upon i S back
and his eyes fixed earnestly upon the
strong, manly face beside him There
was an intense usefulness in his
gaze, while he stood patiently as if
waiting for something. His father
looked up with frown.
Get out of my light, Horace" he
said; Il can't see through you!" The
boy retreated as though disappointed
sat down on a sofa, and began to
read. Pretty soon he said:
Papa, what does vertebrate
mean?"
Got back bone" Mr. Gilmore re-
piled, shortly. After few moments
OF silence Horace spoke up again
apa, "HdJ ID Il CdIUlNOTd
"A flesh-eater."
And what does"
"Oh Horace, do keep still" Mr..
Gilmore said, in an irritated tone.
You know how little time | get to
read anything" The boy made no
answer, excepting to say to him
self: Il wish there wasn't any old
newspaper"
The boy settled down in the sofa
corner Then he shut his eyes wear
lily, and went to sleep on the cushion,
and If anyone had seen it. there were
two bright drops that trickled down
from beneath the closed eyelids on
the blue silk
The next morning Horace sat at the
window, watching the boys on their
way to school, with longing eyes.
There were no private schools near.
and the boys at the public schools had
no manners, his mother said, SO that
she could not think of allowing him
to go there; hence he must have a
tutor. The dwellers in the neigh
borhood were such common people.
too, that she did not care to have her
boy mix with them, and no wonder
that he felt very much alone.
1t was dreary winter day Pres
emily large moving van came along
the street, and stopped at the house
across the way-a rather small house,
with bay-window.
Horace watched the house closely,
and saw lady with little girl enter
presently, and a little after noon a
boy of IL or - years came along
the street. He was not so tall as Hor
ace, but he was sturdily-bui Jolly
little fellow. He looked at the num-
bers on the houses until he came
to the one of the bay-windows when
he darted up the steps and was lost
to sight. Horace was much attracted
to him, and not only managed to see
him when he left again for school an
hour later, but also when he returned
about four.
Horace had brought his book to
the window, and so it was thai he was
still there when, perhaps half an hour
later, the new boy appeared within
the bay-window, which commanded
somewhat of view down the street
After watching for a time. he sud
denly disappeared, and quickly emerg-
ing from the door, ran hatless down
the street to meet man who was an.
preaching. He joyfully reached his
hand up on the high shoulder when
the tall man, putting one arm about
him, stopped down and-yes-hs did!
Horace's face beamed as he watch
ed the happy comrades walk along tn.
gether, and then look of bitter sad.
ness overwhelmed it. But in snite
of the latter emotion, never a dav
passed but that hour found him
watching from behind the curtains
and always came the hungry look over
his face as he turned aWav