Gilpin observer., 1909-11-04
Ezry's
Interference


schoolhouse were wide open. A group
Of girls made dandelion chains in the
shade of the building. and the few
small boys who could be spared from
the farm work padded in tiny brook
under some overhanging willows near
at hand, fr
Teacher come to our house to
board last night" said Jimmy Weed.
the smallest boy in the group. Hope
I'll stand in with him like you did,
Ezry. while he was to your house."
Jaw, twasn't cause teacher board
ed there" spoke up larger boy;
twas cause he liked Ezry's sister
Marth'. Wasn't 1t, Ezry?"
II dunno, but that's all the good It
done him II twas" Ezry answered. II
heard my sister tell him last night.
fore he went over to your house, that
she didn't like him. nohow Say. may
be he wasn't mad! That's why he
went somewheres else to live"
At that moment the tall. lank young
! man under discussion came to the
door and rang the bell.
There was an unusual sternness
about the teachers face as the child
rem followed him in. After giving
Ezry one searching glance he took
him roughly by the shoulder.
What have you got in your pocket.
sir?" he asked in a tart voice.
Now Ezry well knew that 1t always
had been the teachers hobby to keep
an eye on the boys pockets, but some
how his had not been noticed in this
way before. But Ezry's time had
come at last, and now he saw the.
things dear to his boyish heart find
their way, one by one. through the.
open window to the yard below. Then,
followed a licking.
The boys looked at each other know
ingly; the girls wondered.
The bell rang at nine sharp as
usual the next morning. and Ezry did
not appear until the last arrivals were
in their places. There was the most
innocent expression in the world on
his face. and-could they believe
, their eyes-a bigger bulge than ever
was in his pocket this morning.
There was a moment of breathless
suspense; then the teacher broke the
silence:
"Ezry Grove. come here"
"Y-y-yes. sir"
what have you got In your
pocket?"
"I-i-it's my dinner. sir"
"a likely story: take it oct Of there
and give it to me-"
II can't, sir; its"
"You can't; well. l can. And I'll tan
your jacket when I've finished"
The next instant Ezry was dropped
and the exploring hand of the teacher
was withdrawn. and something was
| sticking to 1t with the tenacity OF
glue yell broke from the teachers
lips. The stun clung fast. Then. with
hand beating and waving. its owner
flew over the space between himself
and the entry. His exit was followed
by a splash, and then silence.
The interest now turned to EZry.
who had his face studiously buried in
his reader
What was it. Ezry?" whispered
Jimmy Wood. his nearest neighbor.
| Two dozen ears w>sre strained to
catch the reply.
"afush! Hot, With a shingle be-
| hind 1t! Marth' put II up FOR me. NOW
shut up"
"Oh. gee!"
The teacher came In. Every one
was busy. but the suspense was awful.
| The noon hour came without incident.
When they were dismissed he put on
his hat and took his way to the near
est house. which was Ezry's.
Now mebbe you amt in fer 1t.
] Ezry" said little Jimmy Wood.
Huh. Marth' did 1t. She won't see
me run over by nobody"
He went home and the boys waited
anxiously.
Say. where's the teacher?" they
asked In chorus when he returned.
Jaw. he's over to the house. Marth's
a.doin' up his hand. an a-cryin' cause
IT'S burnt. Girls is queer An. boys.
he's a.comin' back to our house to
l tkk