The Raymer enterprise., 1915-08-26

HER STRANGE SCHOLAR
ey KEITH KENYON,


The December sunshine stresmed
thfohgh the windows of the school
room where Eisin Dorr taught and
played with her kindergarten babies
There We're fifteen of the young
sters sitting in their little chairs
around the wide circle chalkad 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 Foiee-a little boys strong treble
Without the iaiatest appreciation of
tune.
AT the end Of the first verse, Eisin
turned 10 the circle and discovered the
cause OF the nutter OF excitement
among her pupils as well as the own,
er of the discordant voice.
Seated crogs-legged en- the floor in
the middle Of the circle, was p strange
little boy, winsome-faced laddie oil
nFe years, with big brown eyes and
curly mop Of naxen hair. He were
Russian blouse of blue serge ard aore
every appearance OF having come from
comfortable home and the LOVING
hands OF mother.
Good-morning!" cried Tlsln. a III
tie breathlessly. we are very glad
to see yon. WIN yon come and tell
me your name2"
The small visitor got up and came
to Eisin's knee, putting up a wistful
mouth TO be kissed.
tell me your name, dear" urged
Elsln
Jonathan Ferdinand Marbridge,
returned the child.
THAT is a very nice nane. Iona.
than, said Elsin Now you must
tell me who brought you to school
this morning"
i came myself-- Dobhin is towE In
the yard
WHO Ia Dobhin, dear?'
Tie is my pony. Don't YOU know
him? | told him was coming this
morning and 80 hc hrinEed me. I'VE
been wanting, 10 come for a long. long
time, and daddy said he'd see about
It, but he is q very busy man" Iora-
than paffed out his chest ard looked
very important
Very well, jonathan. you NAV fetch
.. little chair Into The circle and will
send word to your father that you are
here
fnt ii was a dificalt matter 10 dis
cover the residence OF Jonathan Fer
dinand Marbridse and Dobhin. his pie.
bald poay. No enc in wildwood ap
peared to recognize the name of Mar.
bridge End even the central telephone
exchange could give no clpe TO the
Identity Of the little boys parents.
i viii hold the bride ard DohbIn
inust show me the way to your
house." said f'lsiu. pulling her white
woolly cap over her bronze brown
hair
"Bobbin knows the way" said Jena
than confidently.
10 yol live in Oakland plaias.
Jonathan?" she asked. And your
mother dear? Won't she worry about
you?T
4 haven't any mother any more
Miss ElBin-she is With God. There's
no one 'eopt daddy and Mrs. Wick
ham and Sarah and the ether sery-
ants
So Dobbin led the way, ard finally
they emerged into tail oak ~ocas, ard
IN the distance was a sGcw-swept
stretch Of lawn with great grcupa of
magnificent trees surrounding a long,
rambling red brick mansion.
That's my house" cried Jonathan
eyeitealy, and there is faddy. run
ni1g-I wonder what is the matter?
Perhaps the house is cl FIRE" be aid.
ed conplaecrtly,
4 tall man without hat nr ovorcoat
YVES running ranlGlY toward then.
MY little lad" The san snatche4
the boy from the saddle ard held hin
c!o1e 10 his heart
Els!n answered his puartionirq ewes
hy telling him how Gha had discovered
the child sitting in the middle Of bor
Kindergarten class 'fWe tried 70 hn1
his PEOPLE, bat could not locate any
ore Of the name Of Mararllse." she
said.
No wonderi Marbri1ee Ia only
one o. Jonathln's many names He "a
Jonathan Ferdinand Marbr'dre-lTar.
court named for two graadfathers
lie often negiefts 10 add the paternal
sllrname. I am deeply grateful, Miss
Derry You have hpA long walk
through the STOW VIII YOU not CORE
TO the house ard let Mrs yickham.
my housekeeper. give yoa cup o.
tea and then | viii take yeu homo in
my carr"
Please do, Mss Elsln, dear" rlaad.
ed Jonathan.
hfter that memorable day jonathan
Ferdinand AiarhriAge.Hnrconrt came
to Miss Darr's kindergarten every