Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1917-08-17
The Boy Who w as
Ready

as SILL duu 81 dASul DIS plOOulStIChs
they turned splendid square corner
and filed triumphantly into Room Five
Sunshiny Miss Fay did not smile at her
faithful little pupils, however. Her
dimples were all ironed out, the
twinkle in her eyes had vanished, and
worst sign of all, there was genuine
criss-cross frown between her eyes!
How many boys are ready for
something hard?" she demanded.
TWenty-four hands flew up. (There
were just twenty-four boys in the
school)
Good" exclaimed Miss Fay. I'VE
can't play in Mr.. Fosters field any
more, boys. The principal got a letter
from him last night. Now l want you
boys to remind the little fellows to stay
In the schoolyard. haven't forgotten
how you stopped the snow-balling last
winter and shall count on you to help
me-"
The boys of Room Five tried to
smile back loyalty, but it was hard
work There wasn't playground near
the school, but for years the boys had
spent their recesses in Mr.. Fosters
field, which was big enough for two
baseball diamonds with room to spare
for other games.
Everybody was unhappy the first re-
cess. The children were crowded in
was to sit or stand around. Phil Rice,
Bob Lowe, Tom Whitney, and several
other boys sat on the steps and looked
longingly at the woods In the distance.
Let's go to walk tonight right after
school," proposed Phil.
Let's agreed everybody in the
group
Phil, Bob. Tom and Jamie we're the
first boys out that night. They waited
a moment for Chester who always
mixed the "e' and "i' in receive. AS
soon as he had written It ten times in
yellow chalk on the blackboard he
Joined them, and the little troop start
ed off.
They followed Parker's brook for
half mile. Phil gathered specimens
of any flower he didn't know, and Cob
picked an armful of black alder berries
for the painting lesson next day. Tom
tried to catch fish with his hands
and tumbled in head first He was
used to duckings and laughed the loud
est of all.
Suddenly Phil stood still. His head
was thrown back and he shifted the air
like a hound. Il smell smoke" he an
nounced. The others shook their heads.
But Phil stood his ground. TITS up in
Mr.. Fosters woods. Let's rum up and
see'
Don't bother" argued Chester. IF
we go up there we won't have time to
go through the cave"
Mr. Foster is as mean as dirt, sput-
tered Tom, "and I'm not going on his
land for one"
Phil didn't say word but shifted
the air again and started to make his
way through the tangle Of vines and
bushes. The other boys looked after
him a moment and then followed on.
It was hard climbing. The bank was
steep and the way was obstructed by
a growth Of briars and brambles.
Phil kept on doggedly and the others
kept on after him. They stopped a
minute at the summit to get their
breath, but Phirs eyes shone like
lamps. There 1t is he shouted;
come on, boys"
1t was only little fire, but 1t was
burning brightly. In a few minutes 1t
would have been beyong the boys con-
troll. Now they ground 1t under their
heels, and soon the bright flames were
conquered and only heap of black
ashes remained.
Good for you,' said gruff old
voice, and Mr.. Foster came in sight. II
smelled that fire mile away, but my
legs aren't as good as my nose. 1
thought the woods would be gone
when I came"
He looked at the boys keeniy. Il
didn't know boys were so useful" He
fumbled in his pocket and drew out a
shabby old purse.
I'VE don't want any money" Phil
said promptly, 'but we'd like the right
to play ball in your lot again"
You've earned it," said the old man.
He scrubbed few words on his pad
and gave 1t to Phil. Give this to your
teacher tomorrow" So at the next re-
cess all the boys of the school got to-
gether. "Hurrah for the boys of Room
Five!' they shouted.
Every boy cheered until he was
obliged to stop for breath, and then
climbed the fence and waved
his hands. Three cheers for the boy
who was ready and saw his chance"
he shouted.
SO the boys started cheering all over
again until Phil sensibly reminded
them that recess would be over and
the new football untried.
A piRD TANClE