The bee. (Earlington, Ky.) 1889-19??, 1909-03-11
The Reward Of
Mrs. McCIoskey
BY A. T. ATcHIsoN.

a hearty breakfast, his mother, who
had provided for the occasion a new
laid egg, standing by while he was
disposing of IL, accompanied by slices
OF buttered toast and declaring "tht
by amt attn enough to feed 9
chicken"
The by enjoyed the experience
of being coddled-as what boy would
not?-and did not hasten his repast
When It could be protracted no long
er he wiped his mouth on the back OF
his hand, stretched himself and crush
ing his almost brimless hat over his
tangled hair, started off down street
his mother standing in the door, with
her hand over hereyes, proudly watch
ing him.
He had not passed out Of her sight
when little Rose Murray, whom he
had rescued from drowning, attired
as usual in dainty befrilled garments.
espied him, and at once few to meet
him.
The big boy gasped for breath wheV
he felt the touch Of the soft fingers
and glanced down sheepishly from
his coarse blue jeans to her dainty
garments. But Rose felt perfectly al
ease, and was evidently proud of &C
companying her hero down street
when you was drownded my mamnA
said you was . wonderful boy" shs
said. There will never be such az
other boy In the village" she said.
AN my papa, he said, when yo
was drowndsd, he wouldn't a bees
s'prised to see you in parli'ment-tha
Irishmen have gone from the cabin
to the house afore this, an you had
Just the stun in you for that. An tht
schoolmaster, whenyou was drownded
said there was CLINT in your eya
which meant somethin' and the dust
wouldn't stick to your heels at school
when you liked.
"And the Sunday school teacher
when you was drownded, said he coult
not keep from takin' more than a com
mon interest in you, you was so bright
An when you was drownded, Mrs
McShane said she loved you like her
own son. An all the women said yoy
was a favorite of theirs, when, you
was drownded. An all the little girls
cried when you was drownded. ISM
it nice to beidrownded an have people
love your
yes" replied McCloskey's boy
dreamily, and after he had left Rose
he thus addressed himself:
$50 they were afther thinkin' I wus
good fur somethin' whin they tho't ]
wus drownded.
well, it would be cryin' shame to
disappoint 'em ALL" he said, when he
had recovered breath. "Tll hav' to see
what kin do"
81 told you So" said the schoolmas.
ter, wagging his head, when II be
came an established fact that McClos.
keys boy was "goin' ahead OF 'em
all" at the village school.
mo more than we expected"
averred the united head of the Murray
family.
aye needn't "a told US that" cried |
a chorus of villagers delighted with
their own astuteness.
After a while MeCloskey's boy got |
to where the village school could car.
ry him no further, and the schoolmas.
ter grew deeply concerned as to the
lads future.
What occurred during the summer |
did not become known to everyone, |
but in the early part of October the
boy set on for higher institution OF
learning.
The day he started, II he had been
some great potentate taking his leave, |
the village could not have shown
ivelier interest. Mrs. Murray sat in |
her bay window, and waved her hand
zerchief as he passed. The school
master gave an extra recess to the
children, and stood in the door of the
'choolhouss, shading his eyes with
,ne hand and swinging the other over
lis head. The meA came out of their
hops and shouted CHEEKY word and
Mrs. Brady, Mrs. McShane and the
Town to the train.
One summer early in May the train
rev into the usually quiet depot.
AS a tall young man stepped out OF
! car cheer after cheer rent the air.
Ind a dozen hands were reached out
% clasp his, but the old gray school.
master got the first shake.
The brass band struck up "The
Maple Leaf Forever" and q process
zion, headed by the schoolmaster anC
he young man. marched on up the
main street.
What is this all aboutf" asked .
stranger.
1.-THE new mimber-McClo skey'f
boy" replied Mrs. Brady, who. be
cause of her exuberantly excited in
crest, was the one accostsd.