Evening journal., 1907-04-03

z CHOOL had Just been dismissed one
FHday afternoon, and the Big
Four''-,Jake, Bob Jack and Sandy
were gathered on the steps of No. dis
cussing their plans for the next days out
ing. That following Saturday was the
closing day Of the great county fair, the
hest day Of all, besides being the only
chance for the school boys TO attend.
'sWe've got TO start early; we don't
want to miss a single thing. We're going
to leave this corner promptly at eight
o'clock-e--g-h-tl Do you hear that, old
SLOW Poker"
Some boys might have resented Jake's
tone as we'll as the name itself, but not
so Sandy Anderson. How could hel
Never did there exist in all the annals Of
Centreville slower, more deliberate
young man than this same Sandy, but
with all his exasperating deliberation he
was nevertheless great favorite in
School No 3 for his lovable disposition,
his quiet thoughtfulness for others and
his gentle way Of giving that soft answer
which turneth away wrath Still there
were times when he was sore trial to
the boys, in spite Of all these sterling
qualities His quick witted sister Mandy
never could understand such extreme de-
liberation She herself always did things
with a rush and often thought afterward.
"Why. Sandy has to start the day be
fore yesterday TO be ready for to-mor-
row. she sometimes declared. indignant
ly. Il can walk all around himw And
SO she could. but not over him, for with
an his slowness and gentle good nature
Sandy never allowed himself TO be inn
posed upon, which was as It should be,
possibly. considering Miss Mandys mas
terful disposition.
It was a current rumor Ia the Anderson
family that Sandy had once slept in his
shoes and stockings to be ready on time
for some early festivity. It had become
the custom among the boys when any
project was on foot which required espe-
cial promptness to appoint a delegation
of one or more Of "the fellows" 10 attend
on Master Sandy and 'punch him upg'
His intentions were always of the best
only he could not hurry and he knew IL;
so now. with queer little shrug Of resig
nation, he answered Jake's emphatic ques.
ton in his quiet. thoughtful way.
"I'n tell you what III do, boys III
wash my face an neck an ears tonight
Thatn save time in the morning" lie
meant it, too. although tho boys greeted
his proposition with a shout Of derision.
II suppose we'n have to lug lunch
along" said Bob. He hated 70 carry
bundle Of any. kind unless its proportion
permitted it to be stuffed into the from
OF his waist. Say. Sandy, mas mad,
some awfully good ginger elephants. Tn
going TO bring a lot I tell you what
we'll do. Let's put our bundles together
and take turns carrying IT, win your
Bob knew Sandy's failing, knew that he
could never resist sweets Of any kind, and,
like a born diplomatist, banked upon that
knowledge.
II guess my turn would come first on
the way there" chucSled Sandy, good
humoredly. Il don't seem to see just
where you come in on that stunt, Bob"
"Oh, well, if you don't care for IN,
cookies"--
"Who said I didn't care? Put 'em il
one bundle if you want to; I guess I car
stand IT,"
Promptly az the appointed time tn
big -Four" three Of whom were care
fully carrying shoe boxes filled with re
freshment for the inner man, started oi
their trudge to the fair grounds at thu
Junction, all filed with bright anticipa
tons Of the days pleasure. To the boy
the county fair was one period OF ecstas
from the time they passed the ticke
taker at the gate until they again swarme