The St. Mary banner. (Franklin, Parish of St. Mary, La.) 1889-1931, 1908-02-01
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neutrality-suspicious.
John Colby sat at his desk in his
own little room nervously lingering
= sheet of paper. ooh, dear!' he
cried. How l wish you were COW
cred with something"
1t was near the close Of the school
year. and compositions were in order.
Johns subject was Patriotism"
Il don't see what l can say about
that" quoth John. Everybody
knows what it is. What's the use of
trying to tell them"
Nevertheless he bent over his
paper, and wrote few words. Then
there was tap at his door, and Julia
Reed came in.
How do you get on?" she in
Quired. being pupil in the class
higher than Johns. and taking con-
descending interest in her interiors.
John held up his paper. There
were three lines upon it. She read,
Patriotism is the feeling that fell
low has for his country. He ought
to love his country above everything. I"
That's good as far as it goes, :"
she said critically, but | wouldn't
put it in just that way"
How would you put it,"
"Oh, I can't tell exactly. but"
ooh, dear!" groaned John II
never was made for writer. can't
do it,
III write it for you if you want
me to-" said Julia. magnanimously.
will you?" cried John, jumping
up That's jolly
Yes. I'd just as lief as not.
like it,
II hate it,
Nobody must know it," said
Julia, decidedly. Eve must keep it
to ourselves
But supposing it gets the price"
remarked John. II couldn't take it,
you know"
why not?'
Because it wouldn't belong to me.
But ! don't believe it will get the
price, he added. hopefully.
Julia looked doubtful. well, you
write it, anyway said John. "and
/ won't think anything more about
the old thing
Julia promised. and, true to his
word, John troubled his head no more
about the matter. Julia was a good
scholar, and she liked compositions.
John had never been particularly
pleased with any of hers that he had
happened to hear. but 1t would be
= composition all the same, whether
he liked 1t or not, and he could stand
up and read It, as required. Nothing
could be easier.
They were to be read on Wednes-
day morning, and on Monday Julia
handed him a roll of white paper.
John took the roll up stairs and
read:
Patriotism is the love which one
has for his country-a feeling as far
above all other affections as the high
est mountain is above the lowest val
ley"
That's putting it strong enough"
remarked John
From Alaska on the north to Pa
tagonia on the south the love Of coun-
try should be supreme A man who
does not love his country ought not
to be called a man."
What would you call him." asked
John.
THE japanese did well to fight for
their country. and the Russians, too"
Don't know about the Russians,
said John.
Some countries are more worth
lighting for than others. but all are
worth something and should be re-
vered. Even the Patagonian ought
to be willing to give up his life for
his country"
II draw the line at the Patago-
man." said John.
Let US always remember that our
country is the best of all; and, IL
any danger threatens her safety, and
we have an opportunity to show our
! patriotism, let US cheerfully die for
her"
Il don't banker for the chance
right away" remarked John. as he
folded the paper. II wonder what
mother will think of this STUFF
For the first time his conscience
gave him . sharp twinge. Perhaps
she won't come" he thought: but he
added ruefully, "She will IL she can
get there. know that"
This was true, for Mrs. Colby was
. devoted mother, and anything that
interested John interested her. John
usually enjoyed this. for it was al
ways pleasant to talk over things
with 50 responsive listener but this
was different. Hang IT," he cried.
IN disGust, II wish it was all over"