The Madison journal. (Tallulah, Madison Parish, La.) 1888-current, 1913-10-18

But If | were. mother wouldn't be here
to enjoy it. Won't you tell Professor
Ashton that you are sorry?"
Fran" Abbott began.
Fran made mouth at him. Il cont
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 it classified under
| the Els"
After this explosion, she turned
again to the lad: II 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 ! could
strike out like you did, I'd wait till |
saw man bullying a weaker one. and
Id stand up to him" Fran leaped
impulsively to her feet, and doubled
her ARMAND I'd let her land. 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 a glim-
mering of comprehension. He seemed
coming to life. as if sap were trickling
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 a 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? l don't look starved, do I?
Pshaw! II woman without a cent to
her name, and ten pounds in her arms
can make good, what about d big
strong boy like you with q mother to
smile every time he hits the mark?
Tell these gentlemen you're sorry for
punching that boy"
'"Sorr'," muttered Jakey shame
facedly.
Il 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 a
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.
Ia. no, troubles just an empty heart!
Well, sir, when read about how good
Mr.. Hamilton Gregory is, and how
much he gives away-to folks he new
er sees-here / came. But l don't
seem to belong to anybody, Jakey, I'm
outside Of everything. But you have
home and mother. Jakey, and q
place In the world. so / say 'Hurrah!'
because you belong to somebody, and,
best Of all. you're not a girl, but a boy
o strike out straight from the shout
ler."
Jakey was dissolved; tears burst
heir confines.
One may shout oneself hoarse at the
delivery Of speech which, IL served
lpon printed page, would never prompt
he reader to cast his hat to the cell
ng. No mere print under bold head
ines did Abbott read. but rather the
hanging lights and shadows in great
lack eyes. 1t was marvellous how
ran could project past experiences
lpon the screen of the listeners per-
option. At her, when mother died"
abbott saw the girl weeping beside
he death-bed. When she sighed. Il
ont belong to anybody" the school
irector felt like crying: Then be-
ong to mel"
Fran now completed her work. She
ose from the immovable Jakey and
anne over to Abbott Ashton, with
1eekly folded hands.
He found the magic of the moon
ght-hour returning. She had mel. ,
'wed - glowed - softened-woman-
could not find the word ,
Dr. 1t. She quivered with an exquisite
ess not to be defined-a something
hair. or flesh, or glory of eye. or
oftness OF lips. altogether lacking In
is physical being, but eagerly desired
Professor Ashton" she spoke seri- |
usly. IL have been horrid. might
ave known that school is merely
lace where young peOple crawl into G