Los Angeles herald., 1909-07-04
Prize story,

Jeanette's Decoration Day.
Il 1t was an unusually warm day.
even for the last of May, and the men,
bers of the Fourth Reader class gave Il
great sigh of relief when Miss Day
said: You may all put your books
away, children, as you will be dis
missed in a few moments. 1t will only
be necessary for you to take your
spelling home to study for tomorrow.
l would like to see Jeanette Howard
after school for a minute.
Jeanette was one of the prettiest
children in the school. She had great
black eyes and hair cut in Buster
Brown fashion, with big bow on one
side. She had one talent which all the
other children envied, and that was the
power to recite and read well. Many
longing looks were bestowed upon her
when she was asked to ''show Off her
reading before the superintendent when
he visited the school.
After all the other children had
passed out Miss Day said to jeanette,
I'VE have been asked to march out to
the cemetery on Decoration day and
put flowers on the soldiers graves
the whole fourth grade, you know-and
1 thought it would be very nice for you
to recite The Blue and the Gray while
the rest of the children decorated the
y
think you could do 1t, my dear?'
why, yes, Miss Day; I already know
the poem, so it will be easy" answered
jeanette, strapping up her book. Then,
telling Miss Day goodby, she put on
her sailor hat and started for home
along the dusty country road.
When she reached home she ran into
the sitting room and as she slammed
her book down and tore off her hat
she told the good news to her mother.
Mamma, do you think l can do it ?"
Jeanette asked, anxiously
why, of course you can, dear" an
swered her mother; "but you must
practice if you wish to make perfect"
When Mr.. Howard heard about it he
promised to give jeanette a dollar if
she did well. Well, you may imagine
she resolved to do well to be sure and
get the prize.
At last Decoration day dawned, clear
and bright, and when Jeanette
awakened it was still early, but her la
ther had already left for town.
She got dressed and went down.
stairs, but imagine her chagrin when
she saw the cook putting on her hat to
go to nurse a sick brother, and heard
from Nora's lips that Mrs. Howard
had a sick headache and was not abls
to get up.
"Oh. dear! Then I can't go to the
cemetery. Why did your brother get
sick today of all days?" stormed Jea-
nette.
Don't know. Goodby. Tell your
ma I'll be back tomorrow" answered
Nora, going out the door.
"Oh, what shall 1 do?' sobbed the
child, Il can't go to our exercises at
all. But" she went on, wiping her
eyes, "Ill have to get poor mamma
some breakfast"
She made some tea and toast and
took it up to Mrs. Howard. Her moth
er thanked the little cook gratefully
and turned over to try to get some
sleep.
Meanwhile the children had gone on
to the cemetery, and Jeanette had told
her chum, Nella, why she couldn't go.
The day passed slowly, and about 2
o'clock Mr.. Howard came home and
was much surprised to see his wife sit
ting up.
When he heard of Jeanette's sacrifice
he took bright, shining dollar out of
his pocket, and then, unwrapping a
parcel which he had brought home, he
laid the dollar in Jeanette's hand and
put the great flag which had been in
the parcel in her lap.
For as brave a little soldier as ever
lived" he said, with a smile.
One afternoon soon afterward Mr..
Howard brought home some snapshots
surprised jeanette by showing her o
picture of herself with the flag.
BERTHA WARDELL.
1909 Rich street; Sentous school,
eighth grade; age 13.