The Detroit times., 1912-12-24
ByJOHN BRElkENRlD0EELlE
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YOU tell Professor Ashton that you are
sorry?"
Fran" Abbott began.
Fran made mouth at him. Il don
belong TO your school any more" she
informed him. Mr.. School-Directo-
can tell you the name of what he can
do TO me; he'll find 1t classified under
the Els"
After this explosion, she turned
again 10 the lad; al saw you punch
that boy, Jakey, and | heard you say
you didn't, and yet IL was gooc
punch. What made you deny 1t?
Punches aren't bad ideas. II could
strike out like you did. I'd wait ill
saw a man bullying a weaker one,
and I'd stand up TO him Fran
leaped impulsively 10 her feet, ana
doubled her ARMAND I'd let her
land, Punching's a good thing, and.
oh. how it's needed. Except at
school-you mustn't do anything hui
man here. you must be an oyster at
| school"
"Aw-right," said Jakey, with glim-
mering OF comprehension. He seemed
coming 10 life, as If sap were trickling
from winter-congealmen
Bob Clinton, too. felt the fresh
breeze OF early spring in his face. He
removed his spectacles.
The first thing | knew" Fran said,
resuming her private conversation
with Jakey, II had mother. but no
father-not that he was dead, oh
bless you, he was alive enough-but
before my birth he deserted mother
Uncle turned US out OF the house
Did we starve, that deserted mother
and her little baby? | don't look
starved. do II Pshaw! II woman
without a cent TO her name, and ten
pounds in her arms can make good
what about big strong boy Ike you
with a mother TO smile every time he
hits the mark? And you'd better be
lieve we got more than a living out OF
life. Mother taught me geography
and history and the Revolutionary
'War-you know history's one thing,
and the Revolutionary War is an.
other-and every lesson she gave me
was soaked with love till il was nearly
as sweet as her own brave eyes.
Maybe | wouldn't have liked IL, IL I'd
had to study on hard bench in a
stuffy room with the world shut out,
and I'D put on my voice-but any
things good that's got a mother in
IL And tell these gentlemen you're
sorry for punching that boy
''Sorr'," muttered Jakey shamefac-
eddy.
II am glad TO hear It." Abbott ex-
claimed heartily You can take your
cap TO go, Jakey."
''Lemme shay" Jakey pleaded, not
budging an inch.
Fran lifted her face above the
tousled head TO look at Abbott; she
sucked In her cheeks and made tri-
umphant oval OF her mouth. Their
she seemed to forget the young man s
presence.
! But when mother died, real trouble
began. II was always hard work.
while she lived, but hard work isn't
trouble, Ia. no, troubles Just an empty
heart! Well, sir, when I read about
how good Mr.. Hamilton Gregory Is,
and how much. he gives away-to
folks he never sees-here came.
But l don't seem to belong TO any
body, Jakey, I'm outside OF every
thing. People wouldn't care II blew
away with the dead leaves, and may.
be Will. some fine morning-maybe
theyn go up TO my room and call,
Fran, Fran,'-and there'll be no
Fran. oh. oh, how happy they'll be
them But you have a home and a
mother. Jakey, and a place in the
world, SO I say Hurrah!' because you
belong to somebody. and. best OF all.
you're not a girl, but boy TO strike
out straight from the shoulder"
Jakey was dissolved; tears burst
their confines.
One may shout oneself hoarse at the
delivery OF q speech which, II served
upon printed page, would never
prompt the reader to cast his hat 10
the ceiling. No mere print under bold