The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1914-04-05
SWlpes

spoken very decidedly. and the firm
little mouth OF the speaker drew into
II hard red line.
But. my dear child, we don't take
dogs In school He must walt outside
TIL you finish your lessons" the teach
err, a delicate, perplexed looking young
woman, replied.
There was no anawer. but the quaint
little figure. slowly gathering up her
friend under her arm. turned and start
ed down the road. This was her first
day at school and the joys OF learning
were nothing IN comparison to the COM
pany OF Swipes.
The teacher looked after her despair
ingly. She did not understand chill
dren very we'll, but she understood
grown people.
'Bessy," she said, viii you wait till
ask you something? Can you answer
for Swipe's behavior in school, l mean
II no behaved badly and made the other
children laugh, would You mind II
he were put out?"
This appeal to Bessy's sense of jus
tice had its effect; for after n moments
hesitation, with one small thumb
tucked into her mouth and her dusty
little shoes shutting together in her
agitation. she finally settled matters By
retracing her steps toward the school
house merely remarking as she looked
up at the teacher mo. I guess not.
But could I be put out. too
Miss Barnes wisely made no reply.
but pushed her little pupil gently into
the schoolroom and shut the door after
her.
After Bessy had been seated and had
the mysteries Of 81 column of spelling
explained to her, Miss Barnes turned
her attention to Rotations, and Bessy
faded a little from her mind.
Swipes was not used to schoolroom;
so he investigated the slate Bessys
next neiebor was using, and, finding
! 1T look ed Interesting and did not taste
bad. licked n whole sum in long division
into nothingness with one stroke OF his
tongue and, quite indifferent to the
wrath OF the author of the sum, pro-
ceeded to lick her face by way OF cas-
ing his feelings.
Bessy during this little scene was
trying to learn spelling. but the novelty
Of the situation and her sympathy for
Swpes prevented her from giving due
attention to business,
l. Presently Miss Barnes looked up and
lcaueht twinkle in Bessy's eyes and a
shaking of her small. shoulders, which
showed what WAS going on.
Swipes' head was tucked under the
| childs arm and his face showed the
nearest approach to laughter that he
thought fit to show under the circum-
stances.
"Bessy." said Miss Barnes sharply,
learn your spelling and pay attention,
or you will have TO stay after school,
Bessy looked at Swipes for light bat
that adventurous doggy was trying a
new gafpe. which consisted OF walking
across desks and smelling eaach ink
we'll distainfuliy as he passed. The
Barnes felt that something must be
done.
'Bessy, do you remember what YOU
said about your dog when YOU came
this morning. He must go out now,
and you must learn your lessons with
out him"
To Miss Barnes great surprise
though. there were tears very near
he brown eyes and n suspicious culver
In the voice which asked. Can I go
too" When it was replied that she
could not. Bessy offered to put Swipes
out herself Indeed. It was well, for
though that badly behaved doggy was
as good natured as possible. he did not
understand what was being done with
him and. when he was finally tied In the
shed. wept very audibly az the morning
went on. w men EEtfHht WIS pNtf hlib
Bessy WAS called to give her name, sht
stood by Miss Barnes desk with
Swipes, whom she had rescued. clutche1
tightly under her arm and gave her
name ''Bessy Lois Maynard" and Their
added: "Swipes Maynard, same age
He can't write. but I'll do II for him
and there are two of Va. You see"
When Bessy's report came In for that
month and Mr. Maynard was reading
- = f1,,z ord ~ c
progress. he came to one cipher and
written above 1t In the teachers hand
ITO Swtpes' account for conduct un-
ACCOMMODATIONS and club.
The seventh general assembly OF
the Presbyterian church Of India was
held recently at Allahahad This as
sembly includes five synods, 1888
communicates. and ia candidates for
the ministry. There were 2,e25 ADULT
baptisms last year.
The translation Of the entire Rt-
Bile into Tswa or Sheetswa. q language
akin to Zulu. has been completed. This
! language is spoken by three million
people in South Africa
During the past year there has
been an Increase Of rs per cent In
dent Christian association in North
America. which now numbers 400
members.
No More Bella.
NEW YORK, April Mime Bella
( Alien, soprano at the Metropolitan
opera house. liz another OF the mem
bers of that company who Will not
return next season. She has been
connected with the institution for
nine years, having Joined 1t during
the directorate of the late Heinrich
IEonrad.
Nine. Alien recently said that she
was not satisfied with the roles now
being assigned her. Her plans for
next year include appearance in Ber-
lin and Vienna, after which she says
she will accept position AT some
German opera house