The Lamar register. [volume] (Lamar, Colo.) 1889-1952, 1915-10-06
HER STRANGE SCHOLAR
BY KEITH KENYON.

LulOuBu lut NAAhpN1 VI AAAt aNAANNA
room where Elsin Dorr taught and
played with her kindergarten babies.
There were fifteen of the young
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 a
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 hutter of excitement
among her pupils as well as the own
er Of the discordant voice.
Seated crosslegged on the floor, in
the middle of the circle, was a strange
little boy, a winsome-faced laddie OF
five years. with big brown eyes and
curly mop of haxen hair. He wore a
Russian blouse of blue serge and bore
every appearance OF having come from
a comfortable home and the loving
hands Of n mother.
"Good-morning," cried Elsin. a lit
tie breathlessly. We are very glad
to see you. VIII you come and tell
me your name?"
The small visitor got up and came
to Elsin's knee. putting up a wistful
mouth to be kissed.
Tell me your name. dear" urged
Elsin
Jonathan Ferdinand Marbridge."
returned the child.
THAT is a very nice name, iona
than" said Elsin. Now you mus
tell me who brought you to school
this morning"
81 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 long. long
time. and daddy said he'd see about
It, but he is a very busy man" iona
than pulled 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 a 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 Dobbin
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
mother. dear7 Won't she worry about
your"
Il haven't any mother any more,
Miss Elsin-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 oak woods. and
in the distance was a snow-swept
stretch Of lawn with great groups OF
magnificent trees surrounding a 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 wonderi 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. l am deeply. grateful, Miss
Derry. You have had a long walk
through the snow Win you not come
to the house and let Mrs. W-ickham.