Tensas gazette. [volume] (St. Joseph, La.) 1886-current, 1908-01-10
FRANKIEs LESSON

frankie, you may tell me what you
wish first" said Miss Barrows, the
primary teacher, as three of her small
pupils raised their hands at the same
time one Friday afternoon.
Please may sit in Tommy Law
rence's seat this afternoon" asked
frankie. in a strange little voice. 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. Il
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 80
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 piratesi Tommy Lawrence
was going to be a 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 we'll look at the pictures in
that book without Miss Barrows see
ing 1t, and II 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 SONS
other time to see those pirates!
Two big tears splashed down on his
composition and made a 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 It under his blouse. Then q
, soon as school was over he evadet
his playmates and ran all the way Y
, Tommy Lawrence's house. His ham
|, trembled 80 he could hardly ring tn
bell, but he had made up his min
that the only thing to do was to Sc
Tommy Lawrence.
!. Tommy's mother came to the dool
"Is Tommy sick?" he asked
"No.. the future pirate is In his a
ual health" replied Mrs. Lawrence
! with a smile, but he IL under punisl
ment for taking q book to school. H
had promised he would leave 1t
home. I hope you always mind YOU
mother. Frankie" she continues
you are q good boy at school, Sc
; for you have a silver star.
"oh, no, I'm mott" cried Frank
1--WE been bad today. ] came to t.
you"--and he laid his head on Tor
, my's mothers shoulder. and sobb'
a out the story of his misdemeanor.
q 1T is more Tommy's fault ths
u yours" said Mrs. Lawrence. III
o had obeyed me and left that book
n home, then there would have been
i trouble, but II you were my little b
y I should have you 90 back to schc
D and tell your teacher. 30 that y
would be sure to remember this"
"Yes'm." said Frankie. I'm
ing"
. Miss Barrows did not make a
dive up his star. She told him u
she was sure that no punishmt
q would be necessary to make him
y member his lesson. Christine 81
con In Youths Companion.