The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1909-10-08
TheTruth-
Teller
By FRANCES HARMER

eeac2re2Se2Se2re2r exSeZeZ
The snow fell heavily still, but a
certain mildness in the air made the
boys who wanted good skating shake
their heads. g.
THE Twenty-second ought to be
In the winter" said John Warrior.
frowning. "This sort Of things un-
seasonable."
His companions laughed. John was
very popular. and any word Of his
which had merry sound was hailed
as a witticism BY his partial list
eners.
That is, by most OF them. One boy.
with a dark, pale face, not given
overmuch to smiles at any time, was
frigid enough now. He had a much
sadder home, a much harder life,
than either of the two boys, who,
like himself, were competing for the
"Brickworth Prize and Scholarship"
both John Warrior and Walter
winton, the alternate heads, with
himself, of the head class in the high
school. The goal Of all their efforts
was that bequest OF the late Josiah
Brickworth, which, every four years,
sent to Harvard the most promising
of the high school graduates, with
one hundred dollars towards his
equipment.
John Warrior desired the prize for
the glory OF it. His father was well
to do. Walter Winton. pleasant.
modest youth whom our hero admir-
ed more than any one in the school.
wished to win 1t to please widowed
but not poverty-stricken mother. He
himself, Robert Gordon, passionately
strove for it, to escape from his un-
cle's guardianship. Robert was an
orphan, and found his fathers broth
err and his house a stern substitute
for home and parents. He was not
a harsh man, and had Bob, as he
called his nephew, been more like his
ideal lad, the boy might have been
happy enough. His uncle desired to
see him take an interest in his own
grocery business, and. after that, in
games and sports.
Roberts scholarly tendencies were
a perpetual annoyance to the sturdy
old man, who had won many trophies
from football and other matches be.
fore age had stiffened his limbs.
"Well," said John Warrior. when
the laugh about him had died away.
sif It doesn't freeze. and we cant
have our hockey match tomorrow
how can we fitly celebrate the Tween.
ty-second%
"A paper chase" cried one voice.
Walter Winton shook his head.
paper would get sodden and use
less in the rain," was his protest.
"Just long tranp.-say to-. Dinckly
Mills and back. That would put in the
best part Of the day."
Other projects were named. only to
be aouted. The ten-mile walk car.
ried the day.
'But," cried John. in his clear,
commanding tones-"if Il freezes
and 1t may.-the hockey match. re-
member"
He turned away, followed by a loud
chorus Of agreement. Only Robert
was silent. He was glad that the
walk could not claim him. as the
hockey match would. He could light
the coal oil stove In his attic. and
spend the day with his beloved
books. The examination was to be
held on the 2Sth Of February. and
the long day meant much to slow
student.
"Well," demanded his uncle. as the
uncongenial pair met at supper.
''what are you going to do to-mor-
row-George Washington's Birthday?
Hockey match, suppose. I think
I'll get over to 1t! See II you've
improved"
They are talking OF a paper
chase" answered Robert. But gave
that up for walk to Dinckly Mills"
mo match?' said the old man.
disappointed.
TITS thawing," replied his nephew,
with an uneasy sense of evasion.
"They didn't think the Ice would be
safe"
',Safe enough. unless it's a quick
thaw," the old man rose. Lads are
different from what l was. Nothing
would have made me wonder If the
ice would hold. I'd have been on
It."
Robert rose, also. and ran up to
his attic. He was soon immersed in
the mathematical problems which he
found so difficult. and on which so
much depended. He was sure OF him.
self on all other points, but geometry
caused him much anxiety.
He went to bed late. Once In the
night, he awoke. to pull up the slip.
ping coverlet, and was aware OF a
sharp Jingle of frost in the air. Alas