Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1907-11-13
WHAT HAD THE BOY DONE?

Jack was real good boy and "a
prime favorite with teachers and
school fellows-such a willing, good.
natured fellow, and such a lot OF
go" in him, never Sinking his work.
One day he had a difficult sum to
work out, and was bending his mind
to it, when "Whack!" came the cane
over his back.
Sir, sir" stammered Jack, what's
that for?"
Nothing in particular. my boy"
said the master with another whack,
and then another, while he stood
smiling at Jack and began to whistle.
Jack sprang up. "Sir, it's not fair
not to tell me what I've done wrong"
said he.
you've done nothing wrong" ana
down came another whack with the
cane
By this time the whole class were
on their feet, and rebellion seemed
ready, when the stern command came,
Keep your seats!" and unwillingly
the boys sat down. All seemed to
think the teacher had gone mad. Jack
resumed his seat with burning face
and smarting shoulders Presently
the teacher said pleasantly, 81 saw
you driving your fathers horse and
cart yesterday, Jack, and was so sor-
ry you had such wretched horse to
drive"
Jack blurted out, Our Bob is the
best fellow in the place, sir"
"Ah! then he was lazy, suppose.
yesterday" said the master.
Not he" said Jack, angrily. His
shoulders were bad enough to bear,
but to hear Bob abused was more
than he would stand Hes as splen.
did and willing little fellow as there
is in the district He never shirks
work"
$50, So" said the master. well,
l saw you yesterday, Jack, and real.
ly thought your little horse was GO
ing in fine style, when you stood up
and slashed him with your whip. He
shook his head, when slash you went
again, and saw Bob fairly turn his
head to look at you, much as you did
when you asked me why / gave you
the cane cut; but you gave him sew
eral more cuts with the whip, though
he had fair load, and was doing
his lever best. You own he is will.
ing fellow, always doing his best, so
j thought, Jack, you might be con-
tent for me to treat you, my good,
obedient pupil, who always tries to
please me, in just the same way. Fair
play all round, Jack, eh?" s
Jack dropped his face on his hands
down to the desk, and he fairly shook
with restrained sobs-big boy as he
was-then he stood UP.
Il understand your treatment, sir,
and deserve it.. used the whip
without thinking about it, and it's
quite fair that / should have a taste
OF what l gave our fine little Bob. I'll
beg his pardon when go home." -,
well done, Jack. Shake hands. Go
on with your lessons. boys" said the
teacher.
"And I'll remember my lesson, SIR,
said Jack, with comical rub on his
shoulders; "but it's fair play all
round. Our Four Footed Friends.
SALT.
How could we get on without it!
In our daily food, as in our daily
life, little of it is necessary, and
the absence of it takes away from the
flavor of everything we eat. The
salt of life" which we hear about
signifies the health, vigor and wit
which We find in life. There was a
time, in countries far from the sea,
when primitive man never used salt
in his food, and it was only when
nations advanced in civilization that
salt became an absolute necessity.
But 1T was not alone as food that
salt was valued; among the ancients
a salt spring was regarded as a gift
of the gods, and it was believed that
any salt found in the soil lent it a
peculiar sanctity and made it a place
where prayers were most readily
heard. Every meal that included salt
had certain sacred character, Great.
ing bond of piety and friendship
between host and guest Hence the
expression .'There is salt between
u.s." meaning friendship; and to be
untrue to salt" means to be disloyal
or ungrateful
In the middle ages, when all classes
and degrees sat at the same board
they were placed according to rank,
above or below the great saltcellar,
which always stood in the middle and
marked the dividing social line
above the salt" meant of high de-
gree. Below the salt were the yeo.
many, serfs and vassals of the feu-
dial days. A good description of this
custom may be found in "Ivanhoe,"
where Cedric the Saxon entertains
his yassals and friends.
A pinch of salt is always consid-
cred lucky in cooking. To take any
thing with a pinch of salt" means
to excuse or make allowances for it.
A "salt' is sailor. To salt ones
conversation means to make it
sparkle. Salt is always employed in
sense of benefit or strength.
The Bible has many references to
salt, among them being, "Ye are the
salt of the earth" Matt. v:13, and ST.
Paul says, 'Let your speech be al.
ways with grace, seasoned with salt"
Salt is used by Catholics In bap.
tism; they consider 1t a symbol OF
wisdom, and put few grains in the
mouth of the person baptized
Washington Star.
CHIHUAHUA DOGS.
Consul General A. L. NJ. Gottschalk
of Mexico City, in responding to mum.