The herald and news. [volume] (Newberry S.C.) 1903-1937, 1908-05-05

w. A'A' oiShoSJ Uut uuSHeu 10 the
nearest tree up which he scampered
in hurry. Minnie laughed merrily
but was thoroughly surprised to see
that Boy was looking unusually SER
ious and thoughtful.
"Why, Boy, what is the matter 2
You surely hit the cat satisfactorily
didn't you7' questioned Minnie.
"Cat7' absentmindsdly, "cat 2
Oh, l suppose Sol generally do. But
Ducky, have you noticed how papa IS
health has failcd7 How thin he is
Has it ever occurred to you that he
has spent everything he could rake
and scrape, poor fellow, to educate
usY | have been through his ward
robe and it breaks my heart to see
how scanty and threadbarc it is. He
is not able to work himself, hardly
able to oversee the hired hands. :
have been all over the farm and
have never seen the crops so sorry.
| very much fear that there will not
be enough to pay the help. Ducky,
unless we can put our education to
practical use, what good is it? We
must put our heads together and
invent some way to help papa"
"Oh. Boy, I m sure | don't know
| never dreamed il was so bad as
that, answered Minnie, her fair
face growing pale. Boy continued:
"l'll tell you what I wish, Ducky.
wish from the very bottom of my
heart that | were a boy--a sure
enough grown up young man with IA
great big mustache.'
"Why sister, how ridiculous" ex-
claimed the astonished Minnie.
"Just whatever you choose to call
1T, my dear; but I've a good reason
for wishing it," bitterly. "Ducky,
you don't know where I've been rid
ing so much Of late, do you2 We'll,
I've been trying to get school. I
tried at the Fork, at Dunroon and at
hhc Henderson school house. The
committeeman in The Fork district
didn't think lady 'suitablc.' AT
Dunroon they were sure a lady could
not manage their rough set, and that
the larger boys would make fshccp' 5
eyes. at me; they were certain it
would be best to have a gentleman
teacher. \ Mr.. Benson had alreadv
applied for and obtained permission
to teach at Henderson. The commit
tee were sorry I didn't apply sooner,
and though perhaps if I should see
Mr.. Benson, he'd withdraw and take
one of the other schools. And
Ducky, | really did 'see' him. | ex-
planned the situation and told him he
could get either of the schools, and
asked him kindly if he would not do
me the favor; I told him that the
committee had sent me to him, and
that it would be so convenient for me
to teach that particular school, for
then | could board at home. I nev-
er dreamed for an instant that he ID
refuse but he actually curled his lips
scornfully and replied: 'No, I thank
you. my dear, prefer this to either
the Fork or Dunroon' Flc didn It
think t2ching Il crowd of rough
country Youngsters was the proper
thing for a young lady, but would
feel honored to have me for a
"pupil.' and Boys lovely brown
eyes flashed resentfully.
For moment Minnie looked at her
sister in breathlcss admiration. Then
she said: "W2lI, Boy he must be IL
hard old skinflint to refuse you. But
does papa know Of thiS-of Your trv-
IN" I" "ct school?"
Mr.. Benson is young. Ducl<v. and
Is r"nccited as a--as that little Ban
tam. pointing to very small cock.
winch WAS at that moment irving 10
drive Il great Plymouth Rock rooster
from the yard "And. no. papa does
not and must not know now that my
efforts have all been in vain. And
now, Ducky, You have my reasons for
wishing to be a boy. Girls nave no
whatevcr.'
"A gentleman Who can it bc?'
Minnie.
"Talk of the angels and you will
hear their wings flop,' laghcd Boy.
$50, l shall guess that it is my chiv-
alrous Mr.. Benson. Say, Ducky, it
would be grand fun to go to his
school. My! I'd keep his head in
swim. Before two days he, too,
would be wishing that T were a sure