Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1907-12-25
FRANK1E's LESSON

frankie, you may tell me what you
wish first" said Miss Barrows, the
primary teacher, as three CT her small
pupils raised their hands at the same
time one Friday afternoon.
please may l sit in Tommy Law
rence's seat this afternoon?" asked
frankie, in strange little voice 1.-THE
sun is hot here"
The two other little boys whose
hands had been in the air quickly
dropped them, looking very much sur
prised and confused.
why, yes" answered Miss Bur-
rows, but her tone was little doubt
full. The sun certainly was very
bright where frankie sat.
frankie settled himself in his new
seat, but he did not feel half so
happy as he supposed he would when
the coveted privilege had been grant
ed him. There was the most wonder
full book in Tommy's desk! There.
were pictures of cowboys and Indians
in it-and pirates! Tommy Lawrence
was going to be pirate when he
grew up-he had confided his ambi-
ton to them that morning when he
brought the book to school.
When he thought 1t over, he could
not very well look at the pictures in
that book without Miss Barrows see
Ing 1t, and If she saw 1t she would
take 1t away, of course.
This was the day the silver stars
were given out. So far he had carried
one home every Friday that term, and
how proud his mother was to see the
proof of her little sons good behav.
Tor!
He did not dare to look at that book.
now he was SO near it. oh, how he
did wish he had been content to sit
at his own desk and wait until some
other time to see those pirates!
Two big tears splashed down on his
composition and made dreadful blot.
Miss Barrows was coming up the
aisle, and she was SO particular about
neatness. He hastily thrust the inky
paper into his desk until the teacher
passed by. He drew 1t out again,
to find that the most awful thing had
happened! The composition had blot.
ted itself on the brilliant cover of the
pirate book! What should he do?
frankie had never felt SO miserable
before in his life. He felt So asham-
ed when he looked at that star.
He rolled up the book that was the
cause of so much misfortune and
tucked 1t under his blouse. Then as
soon as school was over he evaded
his playmates and ran all the way to
Tommy Lawrence's house. His hand
trembled SO he could hardly ring the
bell, but he had made up his mind
that the only thing to do was to see
Tommy Lawrence.
Tommy's mother came to the door.
us Tommy sick?" he asked.
No, the future pirate is in his US.
ual health" replied Mrs. Lawrence,
with smile. "but he is under punish.
ment for taking book to school. He
had promised he would leave it at
home. hope you always mind your
mother, Frankie" she continued.
"You are good boy at school, see,
for you have silver star"
"Oh, no, I'm not!" cried frankie.
1--WE been bad today. l came to tell
you"-and he laid his head on Tom
my's mothers shoulder, and sobbed
out the story of his misdemeanor
ut is more Tommys fault than
yours" said Mrs. Lawrence. "If he
had obeyed me and left that book at
home, then there would have been no
trouble, but If you were my little boy
should have you go back to school
and tell your teacher, SO that you
would be sure to remember this"
"Yes'm," said Frankie, "I'm go.
ing"
Miss Barrows did not make him
give up his star. She told him that
She was sure that no punishment
would be necessary to make him re-
member his lesson Christine Glea-
son in Youths Companion.
AN ELEPHANT CAUGHT A FISH.
Elephants are very wise, and can be
trained to do many things. A gentle
man who had lived for many years
In India tells some interesting stories
of these great beasts, He had owned
one that became SO fond of his two
small boys that the parents felt glad
II the children were in the elephants
care. The three friends often went
OIL on long tramps together. and the
elephant never failed to come stalk,
inE home With the two ANAL boys rid.
'aS, happy AMI ssis. On h!a bsaf