Tensas gazette. [volume] (St. Joseph, La.) 1886-current, 1913-11-07

But II 1 were, mother wouldn't be here
to enjoy it. Won't you tell Professor
Ashton that you are sorry?"
Fran" Abbott began.
Fran made a mouth at him. II don't
belong to your school any MORE" she
informed him. Mr. School Director
can tell you the name of what he can
do to me; he'll find 1t classified under
the E's."
After this explosion, she turned
again to the lad: 81 saw you punch
that boy, Jakey, and heard you say
you didn't, and yet it was a good
punch. What made you deny it?
, Punches aren't bad ideas. If l could
strike out like you did, I'd wait till l
saw man bullying a weaker one. and
I'd stand up to him" Fran leaped
impulsively to her feet, and doubled
her ARMAND I'd let her landi Punch
ing's a good thing, and, oh, how it's
needed. Except at school-you
mustn't do anything human here, you
must be an oyster at school"
"Aw-right," said Jakey, with giim-
mering of comprehension. He seemed
coming to life, as IL sap were trucking
from winter-congealment.
Bob Clinton, too. felt the fresh
breeze or early spring in his face. He
removed his spectacles.
The first thing knew" Fran said,
resuming her private conversation
with Jakey, Il had mother, but no IA
ther-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 a woman without a cent to
her name, and ten pounds In her arms
can make good, what about big
strong boy like you with a mother to
smile every time he hits the mark
Tell these gentlemen you're sorry for
punching that boy"
"Sorr'," muttered Jakey shame
facedly.
81 am glad to hear It." Abbott ex-
claimed heartily. You, can take your
cap to go. Jakey."
"Lemme stay" 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 q
triumphant oval Of her mouth. Then
she seemed to forget the young mans
presence.
But when mother died, real trouble
began. 1t was always hard work. while
she lived. but hard work isn't trouble
la, no, troubles Just an empty heart
Well, sir, when read about how goot
Mr.. Hamilton Gregory is, and how
much he gives away-to folks he new
er sees-here / came. But / dom
seem to belong to anybody. Jakey, In
outside of everything. But you have
home and a mother, Jakey, and Z
place In the world, SO / say 'Hurrahl
because you belong to somebody, and
best of all. you're not girl, but DO.
to strike out straight from the shoul
der"
Jakey was dissolved; tears burs
their confines.
One may shout oneself hoarse ut tn,
delivery of a speech which, II seryet
upon printed page, would never promp
the reader to cast his hat to the cell
ing. No mere print under bold head
lines did Abbott read, but rather thu
changing lights and shadows in grea
black ewes. II was marvellous how
Fran could project past experiences
upon the screen of the listeners per
ception. At her, when mother died,
Abbott saw the girl weeping besid,
the death-bed. When she sighed, "
don't belong to anybody" the schoo
director felt like crying: Then be
long to mel"
Fran now completed her work. Sh'
rose from the immovable Jakey an,
came over to Abbott Ashton. will
meekly folded hands.
He found the magic of the moon
light-hour returning. She had mel
lowed = glowed - softened-woman
ized-Abbott could not find the wort
for it. She quivered with an exquisite
ness not to be defned-a something
in hair, or flesh, or glory of eye, o
softness of lips, altogether lacking ii
his physical being, but eagerly desired
Professor Ashton" she spoke seri
ously. Il have been horrid. / nigh
have known that school is merely
place where young people crawl int