Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1917-09-06
Mr.. PeasIee. Instructor OF Youth.

Mr.. Peaslee, Instructor OF Youth.
The young mans hat sat lttle aslant
upon his head his coat was little too
tight, the pattern OF The plaid little too
pronounced, his yellow shoes little TOO
yellow. A cigarette dropped from his
mouth, and he had an air OF knowing a
great deal. The girl was attractive
small and alert,-and her expression at
times might have indicated that her opiu-
ion OF her companion was somewhat
lower than his own. The third visible
actor was Mr.. Peaslee, hearty and dandy,
with fringe of whiskers framing cheer
iul face apparently free from guile. The
fourth actor was for the moment out OF
sight. awaiting his cue.
WheH the young man and his compan-
ion rounded the turn, Mr.. Peaslee was
bent over hollow stump, busy with two
Sticks, which he was evidently attempt
ing to use as tongs. Many pufiS and 81
vums 7" testified that the old gentleman
was having difficulty. He wiped his face
with the back OF his hand and eyed the
couple blandIy. The young man returned
Mr.. Peaslee's gaze with interest and
spoke 10 the girl from the corner Of his
mouth in an audible aside.
"What do you suppose the old rabbit
sees in US TO interest him so ?"he asked.
The girl Redeemed and tried to pull him
along. Don't, Gannett," she protested
in low tone. you've no idea how
your voice carries -
The young fellow freed his arm impa-
tiently and turned TO Mr. Peaslee again.
Lost something old top ?" he inqur-
ed with bluff condescension.
Mr.. Peaslee nodded. "My jackkniie,"
he explained mildly. at went down in
there, and can't seem 10 ketch il right
10 get il out again"
The young man approached the stump
and peered into the opening intereStedly.
Then he turned 10 MIR. Peaslee with
plying smile.
There's your knife right there in plain
sight," he announced witheringly, and
then he devoted two more seconds TO the
charitable survey OF Mr.. Peaslee Final
ly he asked, "Why didn't you put your
arm down there and get your knife ? !
should think anyone would know enough
for that"
Mr.. Peaslee stretched out his arm and
scanned il critically. "Wa." he sub
mitted hesitatingly, "fust place, ! don't
b'lieve my arms long 'nough TO reach,
anyway, and then besides that"
Meanwhile the superior young man had
leisurely removed his coat, and now,
with superciIi7us air, he proceeded TO
thrust his arm down into the opening.
Mr.. Peaslee started forward with look
OF apprehension.
"'F was you, young man, he began
warningly. "a wouldn't be too brash
bout geltin' my hand down there. I'd
90 jest mite keerful-
But the young man waved him back
imperiously. 81 want 10 show you
thing or two you seem TO need teaching
as much as any man | ever saw" he an
nounced with the same air OF pity. Fool
ing down there with two sticks when a
reach with your hand would get the knife
in half The time - His face took or The
cropping, expectant look OF one feeling
for an object out OF sight. al touched II
then p he said exultinglY Something
hard and cold. I'll get il next time. III
bet "a"
Just then the fourth, and heretofore
hidden, actor came into the scheme of
events.
AS a breeze ripples over field OF wheat
a succession OF expressions fled across
the young mans face-concem and alarm
and CONSERVATION and, lastly. lively
terror.
"Owl" he yelped. Help me, some
body |" and with a mighty twitch he
brought his hand from the stump and
with il the hidden actor.
Hanging by its clamped jaws from the
thick part OF The superior young mans
thumb was medium-sized and sppar-
emily resolute turtle. Mr.. PeasIee leaped
TO the rescue. With BIT OF stout stick
he pried the reptiles jaws apart, and II
dropped TO the ground and scrambled
clumsily away. Thea he led the cliasten-
ed youth TO tie brook End washed the
injured thumb carefully.
Pooh |" he soothed The terrified victim
carelesslY. "'Twon't do ye a mite of
ham-not speck. IS matter OF fact"
and the girl fancied she caught twinkle
in his eye-"l shouldn't be s'prised il il
done ye more or less good-in some
ways. Livin' in the country So" he
continued meaningly. some OF us old
rabbits get TO learn 'nough not TO shove
our hands down into place we can't be
sure 'bout-hollow stumps or any other
place, ye know"
He paused TO beam pleasantly upon
them both.
'Tain't bad thing TO know, in this
t;fa - he concluded eanienfiv