Rogue River courier. (Grants Pass, Or.) 1886-1927, 1908-02-14

tiue for the declamations Mr.. Dor
kins' manner became even more At
tentlye ana expecant.
Several pupils displayed their elo-
quence in stirring appeals to patriot
ism and liberty, but they were too
conscious OF the audience to do their
best, and when they went down from
the platform II was with an uneasy
feeling of having failed. At length II
trim, bright faced boy Of twelve or
thirteen came forward and delivered
On eloquent statement OF NE Indian
question. His utterance was clear and
concise and without the least trace OF
embarrassment Mr.. Dorkins had liked
his appearance from the first, but
when be heard the distinct rapid now
OF choice words his enthusiasm be
came 30 great that It was with diff
Guilty he kept his seat As soon as the
exercises were over he drew the prin-
cipal aside.
who was that splendid little fel-
lowT he asked eagerly. "The one
who gave us such clear account Of
the Indian question: l don't think |
ever saw him before"
Nor There was surprise In the
principals voice. That's strange. |
thought OF course you knew him. He's
from the mill dlstrict-one Of your
own people. had an idea that you
were paying their tuition"
"TbeirT
"Yes; bis sister comes with him;
that little gSrl who took the prize for
singing. She has one Of the best un-
trained voices I ever heard. am
very proud OF them both. But II Is
curious you didn't know where they
lived"
Mr.. Dorkins looked troubled. 81
haven't been In the mills much late
ly," he said. and the principal noticed
that his voice trembled q little. Some
how have felt that the young people
didn't ike me. They have habit Of
throwing snowballs and things, and
and He hesitated a moment, then
broke into short, nervous lsugh-"of
calling me New Jerusalem For the
past year or so have left things
largely to the management of the su-
perintendent. II thought II would be
better for me to stay away. But you
haven't told me the childrens names
yet" he added more briskly. They
must bs looked up. I hope their par
ents viii be willing to have them con
tinue at school. Most Of my factory
people don't seem to have much re-
spect for education"
Yes, II would Be q pity for them to
leave Just now, when they are doing
so WELL" agreed the principal. "Btiil I
think they are safe for q year at least.
Each Of them has won . years tuition.
and II 10 hardly likely their parents
will take them away untii they have
reaped the benefits Of the prizes. But
you asked mo who they weru. Their
names are Charlton and Charlotte
Buriess-a very pretty combination. !
think. They were brought bore on the
nrst day Of the term By q rough. un-
calmly fellow, who said his name was
shoggs-s twister In the mill. he said
he WAS"
As Mr.. Dorkins walked down the
path he rubbed his hands together
softly and indulged in q low chuckle
from time to time.
"Wsll.- he soliloquized gayly, who'd
have thought III A pair OF mill chill
dren leading the SCHOOL, 1t will be
rare joke ON DR.. Green and the others.
They'll have to admit that Hgs do
grow on thistles sometimes. Well,
we'll Hellol What do you want
here5' sharply.
He had reached the gate which open
! ed into the school grounds, and there,
seated nonchalantly upon one OF the
stone posts. was rough. shock head
I cd boy who might have been any
where between sixteen and eighteen
years OF age. Evidently he had but
just come from the mill. for his feet
p were bare and there were bits OF cot
ton still cllnging TO his coarse clothing
II was not often that Mr.. Dorklns
frowned, but now his face grew hard
and stern. This rough, disreputable
figure was not unknown TO him. Only
few weeks before he had seen him
In the mill yard thrashing boy who
was much larger than himself
At first he had not intertered. The
big boy was able 10 take care OF him.
self he thought But when he saw
that he was really being hurt and that
the smaller boy did not seem to have
an Idea OF desistng he had caused
them to he separated A minute after.
ward as he was walking toward his
office he had glanced over his shoulder
just In time TO see the smaller boy
clmch his fists and sNyagely renew the
attack
ON another occasion his hat had been
knocked ON 10y q snowfall. aud. look
INK around quickly. no had seen this
same boy doJgIuL hohul "a bW.dm.
No wonder he had been unsucccsstul
IN remodeliug such material
What do You want herey he re
peatcd as the boy looked up from a
programme De was intcutly trying To
decipher
Hello, leu -er-oh. beg pardon. Mr.
| pOrkius Glad 10 see vour' The boy