Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1915-09-02
HER STRANGE SCHOLAR
BY KEITH KENYON.

sters sitting In their little chairs
around the wide circle chalked on the
schoolroom floor and Elsin, at the
piano, led them in singing Good
Morning, Merry Sunshine; How Do
You Do Today?"
The first line was barely finished
when Elsin became conscious of
new voice-a little boys strong treble
without the faintest appreciation of
tune
At the end Of the first verse, Elsin
turned to the circle and discovered the
cause Of the flutter of excitement
among her pupils as we'll as the own.
er Of the discordant voice.
Seated cross-legged on the floor, in
the middle of the circle, was a strange
little boy, winsome-faced laddie Of
five years, with big brown eyes and
curly mop of flaxen hair. He wore
Russian blouse of blue serge and bore
every appearance of having come from
comfortable home and the loving
hands Of mother.
"Good-morning!" cried Elsin, lit
tie breathlessly. 1--WE are very glad
to see you. Will you come and tell
me your name?'
The small visitor got up and came
to Elsin's knee, putting up wistful
mouth to be kissed.
Tell me your name, dear" urged
Elsin.
Jonathan Ferdinand Marbridge,"
returned the child.
That is very nice name, iona,
than" said Elsin. Now you must
tell me who brought you to school
this morning"
Il came myself-Dobbin is down in
the yard
who is Dobbin, dear?"
He is my pony. Don't you know
him? | told him / was coming this
morning and so he bringed me- I've
been wanting to come for a long. long
time and daddy said he'd see about
it, but he is a very busy man." Jona-
than puffed out his chest and looked
very important
VERY well, Jonathan, you may fetch
a little chair into the circle and will
send word to your father that you are
here"
But II was difficult matter to dis.
cover the residence Of Jonathan Fer.
dinand Marbridge and Dobbin. his pie.
bald pony No one in Wildwood ap.
peared to recognize the name of Mar
bridge and even the central telephone
exchange could give no clue to the
identity of the little boys parents.
Il will hold the bride and Dobhin
must show me the way to your
house." said Elsin, pulling her white
woolly cap over her bronze-brown
hair
"Dobbin knows the way" said iona.
than confidently.
do you live in Oakland Plains,
Jonathan?" she asked. And your
mcther, dear? Won't she worry about
you?"
II haven't any mother any more,
Miss Esin-she is with God. There's
no one cept daddy and Mrs. Wick
ham and Sarah and the other serv-
ants"
So Dobbin led the way, and finally
they emerged into tall cak woods, and
in the distance was snow-swept
stretch of lawn with great groups of
magnificent trees surrounding long,
rambling red brick mansion.
That's my house." cried Jonathan
excitedly, "and there Is daddy, run
ning-I wonder what is the matter?
Perhaps the house Is on fire." he add
ed complacently.
A tall man without hat or overcoat
was running rapidly toward them.
"My little lad!" The man snatched
the boy from the saddle and held him
close to his heart.
Elsin answered his questioning eyes
by telling him how she had discovered
the child sitting in the middle Of her
kindergarten class. I'VE tried to find
his people, but could not locate any
one of the name Of Marbridge," she
said.
mo wonder! Marbridge is only
one Of Jonathan's many names. He Is
Jonathan Ferdinand Marbridge-Har-
court-named for two grandfathers.
He often neglects to add the paternal
surname | am deeply grateful, Miss
Dorry. You have had a long walk
through the snow. VIII you not come
TO the house and let Mrs. Wickham,
my housekeeper, give you cup OF
tea, and then will take you home in
my carr"
please do, Miss Elsin, dear" plead
ed Jonathan.
After that memorable day Jonathan
Ferdinand Marbridge-Ha came
to Miss DORIS kindergarten every
morning. But the faithful Dobbin did
not bring him. Mr.. HarcCurt was
never too busy to drive his little son
over to Woodbine street, nor was he
too busy to visit the school very fire.
uuently. Indeed one day he became
a member of the charmed circle and
told such wonderful stories that the
children tore themselves reluctantly
away to play in the April sunshine.
And one day Mr.. Harcourt crowned
his reputation as a story-teller by
telling Elsin Dorr the most wonder
full story that she had ever heard. And
Esn listened and believed-even
when he called himself her model
scholar. For he had faithfully learned
the lesson she had taught him-to
love her.
copyright 1915. by the Mcclure Newspa-
per S. ndicate.)