Tensas gazette. [volume] (St. Joseph, La.) 1886-current, 1908-05-22
Blly'SRepOrt

When Billy's report for the month
was handed to him he thrust it into his
pocket without glance, being salts
bed from past experience that there
was that upon 1t which would give him
bad quarter of an hour.
Rapidly through his mind went the
possibilities Of what his punishment
at home would be this time. OF one
thing he was certain-he would not
be kept In on Saturday. / suppose his
mother had said the last time that she
didn't see why she should also be pun
lshed for his bad reports at school
Suddenly cold fear seized him. II
the array Of red "poors" was unusually
large his father might make him give
up his beloved bull pup. If he could
only defer the showing of the card un-
I'll he had taught Spotty to stand on
his hind legs without being held up
all the time the sight of so much tai
emit might save the pup.
He thought of losing the card for a
day or two, but remembering the un-
happy fate of Johnny Hughes, who
tried that plan only to have his father
dragged from work to be told more
smphatically of his deficiencies than
the card would have told, he concluded
not to do so. Such was his desperation
that he almost resolved to learn his
lessons thenceforth.
When he reached home that even
Ing his sister victoria's card, bearing
one excellent to which she ostenta-
tiously called the attention of the fam
lily several times, had been signed and
delivered and her cents reward had
been carefully tied up in her handker-
thief.
Walk up, kid, and get 1t over with"
said Jack. the 16-year-old brother, with
= grin. Don't pretend that you can't
hnd it," as Billy fumbled in his pock-
It, because 1t won't go. Lizabeth told
vicky all about 1t. What did she say,
Vicky"
said she's be ashamed IL her broth
er had card full Of red 'poors,' and
that you were a stupid" announced
Victoria.
Billy, too miserable to say anything.
put the card on the table as far from
his father as possible, and was COM
manded to pick 1t up and hand 1t over
like a gentleman. With an air OF
knowing only too well what it con-
tanned his father opened the envel-
ope, looked at the card, looked at 1t
again, scrutinized the name at the top.
and then-was the day of miracles
come back-smiled.
well. son. you were trying to fool
US were you? Just look, mother! Full
Of 'excellents!' Let me see how many
six, II you please. I'll be bankrupt
with two such smart children. Will
you give me six for a quarter, Billy?"
Sure" said Billy, wondering when
he would wake up.
well, l guess not; / think I'll pay
my excellent debts If I have to do
without cigars
"Gee." said Jack, examining the
card. II never got report like that
and | wasn't so worse. You must
have sprained your brain, kid. I'll tell
you what we'll do to celebrate; we'll
go and get one of the sweater vests
that you are so wild about"
I'D rather have collar for Spotty."
said Billy, eagerly. "One of the kind
full of nails that makes him look like
a fighter"
I'll see to the collar" said his
mother, beaming with pride.
For the first time in his short life
Billy began to study his history lesson
without any proddings from his moth
er or threats from his father. With a
very much injured air he wanted to
know how kid could learn his les
sons and get Els when vicky and
Spot. we're making so much noise"
I'D give good deal to know what
has made that young imp Of a William
turn into such an angel child" said |
Billy's teacher to her neighbor at
school. Il 6dn't know 1t was in him.
he seems so modest and |
'etiring and smiles at me in such a
secret way that have the feeling that
We are fellow conspirators in the same
dot"
At the end Of the month when she
ook up Billy's card and saw the full
fray Of "excellents' she had an illum-
nation.
Il hate to do It," she said to her
leighbor, sitting with eraser poised
'ver the card, Il really think these
marks have been the making OF him.
fy eye must have slipped last month"
I'm glad haven't got to solve the