The Rich Hill tribune. (Rich Hill, Mo.) 1903-1911, 1907-11-14
civilian the
C0nquerer"


the Verau0o were ptfAeu anu
. red face peored through the open
IN. 4ssyl that there ornsry Biny has
went aud yanked Horace often the
bench. and tore him to pieces, and
now he's a-chawin' him up, and ] don't
darst % anywheres nigh him"
Biid from the hammock and
fastened with Lucinda 70 the scene
o. the tragedy, although ] was aware
that It was Of a far less serious nature
than a stranger might naturally have
inferred. I knew the startling an
nOuncement meant simply that our
troublesome pet goat William the
C~onquorer." had discovered my q
Hoyau Flacei Opera upon a garden
seat where / had careiessly left IT,
and, true to his nature and reputation,
was now demolishing and eating Il.
Lucinda always uses the personal
pronoun IN referring to a book which
she hears called by the name Of an
indlvidual-real or fictitious.
A. soon e. he spisd Us he reiterated
with bis prey into the orchard. and
from that into a Geld beyond. through
which flowed a deep brook, Taking
his station on the bank. he eyed me
wiekediy an ] had almost reached
him: then dropping all that remained
% my book into the water, he tossed
bis horns impudently and walked
leisurelY away.
II was agsrRvating. In two weeks
I should resume my duties as instruc-
tor IN preparatory Latin at Spring
port academy. and for this last foC.'
flight I had planned a diiigent review
Of the odes Of Horace. Now my book
was gone, and as far as / was aware
there was not another copy In the
village. Ny studies must therefore
be postponed until I could procure a
new one: 90 with a dutiful sigh for
the lost time, and a mereenary n
for the Bquandered cash. / resigned
myself. with q pretty good grace after
ali, to a brief immunity from the so
elety Of Horace.
On the afternoon of the third day
from the one on which Billy had
helped prove that there are indeed
Books In the running brooks" ] was
iounging IN the hammock. entertained
By the chatter Of a small acQuaint-
anes. when Lucinda appeared. her
face full Of animation.
your Horace Is Ia the settin'-
room. Miss Pauline" she said, excited
". Come on the noon train I
helped him on with his wrappin's and
be does look dreadful slick, % ]
tell you!"
We'll I'm very glad he has come.
I laughed. "Tu 80 In and see him this
moment ] must leave you now. Trot-
sic dear; but you can stay and
swing "a long az you like and fol-
lowed Lucinda gayiy into the house.
Allen Woodford and I had been the
best Of friends ever since the FIRST day
We attended the village school to-
esshsr, ard although We were 'Only
fhends" as jet, It seemed highly prob.
able that some day we should be
something more. he was now en-
gagged IN business In a distant state,
and We saw each other but seldom
arranged my hair IN the way Allen
liked is best put on q new and be
coming gown. and then employed my
self. As diligently az could be expected
under the circumstances. upon a re-
view OF the odes Of Horace.
But the afternoon merged into even
inG and Allen did not come.
"somsthing has unavoidably de-
laysd him" l said. but he will be
hero early tomorrow, so ! went 20
my room. laid aside the becoming
gown. and soon forgot my dlsnppolnt
pent in sleep.
The next day passed and another
evening; stiIl Allen did not come. nor
vHa there any word from him. u vas
very strange-eapeciaily 80 after that
last letter Of his. I could not under
stand II.
"A welcome diversion was offered me
the next morning by the arrival Of q
saFOrite cousin whom ! had not seen
for years. In the afternoon We drove
out together, and soon after starting
We met Allen. He bowed 10 me- some
What SuRy, aud gave Rob a look that
would have convinced me his conduct
was due 70 jealousy. II he had not
been Ia town two days before my
cousin came
Rob left that evening aud the next
day ] learned that Allen had some
also.
laid pride on the shelf long enough
70 indulge IN one good cry, then
reHotutcif aFPHss ~ 70 STUDY
finding what solaee / might In the re.
Election that after as many years a.
had elapsed since the old Latin lays
we're written. ] shouldn't and wouldn't
care . rs for the way Allen had be
haVed.
] gladly welcomed the close Of my
vacation, and. accompanied by Horace
/ returned 70 the academy a day ear
neF than vas necessary.
Il Nas early IN the third week Of
the term. and / was alone IN my class