Omaha daily bee., 1909-01-10

- COAA AS
space. He was a little chap,
49, only 10 years old. and the
IE4Hk8k gloom in his countenance did
0Qk&AD not belong there. for usually
Harry was a most happy boy, and his
mother called him her little ray of sum
shine. But today he was very low-spir-
tied, indeed, and II one would take the
pains to study Harry's surroundings he
might understand the cause of the little
fellows gloom. on the floor beside him
lay a pile OF books-school text books
and from the manner in which they were
tumbled about one would know they had
been thrown there by an impatient hand.
The truth Of the matter was this: Harry
had been dropping behind in his class for
the last week, and somehow he couldn't
confine himself to his study as he knew he
should. "~Books-schoo books, / mean
are so dull" he would say to himself. And
when. in the evening, his mother would
tell him to go into the library and prepare
his morrow's lessons, he felt that she was
setting a most unpleasant task for him
Until now Harry had not found 1t neces-
sary to study in the evenings, for until
now he had had only a few lessons to
learn. But after the holidays he had been
promoted to another grade, and that meant
SOME HOlllG HNuuA anu lAdN vas WHY
Harry sat so disconsolately in his room
and felt that the learning of lessons out OF
common school books was a most un-
happy task.
IF the books were only Interesting" he
unused. Then his eyes eyes fell on his
geography, and he gave it a vicious little
kick, for from that huge book he was
supposed 10 learn a long lesson before he
a.,,a a.. .n,s. he ouos - .Iaan that pFght
/ wish school books we're like fairy stories
thrilling and entertaining he said
aloud. Then he put his head against the
chairback and closed his blue eyes TO shut
out the sight OF those dreadful school
books. Its very. very hard to become
wise,' he m Then he remained
very quiet for several minutes, wishing
that he might go to bed and forget all
about geography lessons.
"Oh little lad. you are not the only boy
who hates TO study his lessons said a
merry voice beside Harry, and he looked
round in surprise. for he had not heard
any one enter his room. and he had been
entirely alone-Save for those awful stupid
books. To his surprise he saw a red
checked boy about his own size, q boy
wearing the happiest smile Harry had
ever seen on any human face. Yes. there
are other boys who dislike learning les
sons as much as you do went on the
stranger. But that is because they exag-
gerate the stupidity and dullness of school
books. In fact, school books are full Of
interest II the boy who studies them only
looks for It. But II you can't make w
your mind to like your books, maybe you
would enjoy a visit to the realm OF Dame
Wisdom. who will show you some most
interesting books from which you may
learn your lessons"
'Oh, 1 should like that" declared Harry
"But who are you, and where is the realm
of Dame Wisdom" hn asked with much
show of curiosity.
III oh, I'm just a little page from the
realm OF Dame Wisdom, and she sends me
to fetch just such boys as you. She is the
friend OF school children. and when they
form a hatred for the school books she In.
Vites them to visit her and she shows them