The citizen., 1919-03-13

two hands and shook them as he said:
upon my word, here Is my friend
Enrt. was not looking for you here"
lie put his hand on my head, now
higher than his shoulder, and said:
II was not looking for you here"
He asked about my aunt and uncle
and expressed Joy at learning that
was now under Mr.. Hacket.
81 shall be here for a number Of
weeks" he said, "and shall want to
see you often. Maybe we'll go hunt
ing some Saturday"
We babe him good morning and he
went on with his wheelbarrow, which
was loaded. remember, with stout
sacks Of meal and -four.
We went TO the school at half past
eight. What thrilling place II was
with its 7S children and Its three
rooms. How noisy they were as they
waited in the schoolyard for the bell
to ringl stood by the doorside look
ing very foolish, I dare say, for
Knew not what to do with myself. My
/ legs encased in the tow breeches felt
as n they were on fire. ! saw that
most Of the village boys wore bought
en- clothes and fine boots. | looked
down at my own leather and was
tower of shame on foundation of
creased cowhide. Sally Dunkelberg
came In with some other girls and pre-
/ tended not TO see me. That was the
hardest blow | suffered.
Among the handsome. well-dressed
boys of the village was Henry Wills
/ the boy who had stolen my water
melon. / had never forgiven him for
that or for the killing of my little hen.
/ The bell rang and we marched into
the big room, while a fat girl with
crinkly hair played on a melodeOn.
| Henry and another boy tried to shove
me out of line and a big paper wad
| struck the side Of my head as we were
marching in and after we were seated
cross-eyed, freckled girl in red
dress made a face at me.
/ IL was, on the whole, the unhappiest
day OF my life. During recess
slapped a boys face for calling me a
rabbit and the two Nhers who came
10 help him went away full Of fear
and astonlshment, for / had the
strength of young moose in me those
days. After that they began to make
friends with me.
In the noon hour man came to me
In he schoolyard with a subpoena for
the examination of Amos Grimshaw
and explained its meaning.
While / was talking with this man
Sally passed me walking with another
girl and said:
"IlSllo, Bart"
/ observed that Henry wills Joined
them and walked down the street at
the side Of Sally. l got my first pang
of jealousy then.
when school was out that after
noon Mr. Hacket said l could have an
hour TO see the sights OF the village,
so / set out feeling much depressed.
walked toward the house of Mr..
Wright and saw him digging potatoes
in the garden and went in. l knew
/ that he was my friend.
"Wen, Bart. how do you like
schoolg" he asked.
"Not very WELL" l answered.
"Of course not It's new 10 you
now. and you miss your aunt and
uncle. Stick to il. YOull make
friends and get interested before long"
81 want TO go home." l declared.
"NOw let's look at the compass" he
suggested. you're lost for a minute,
and like all lost people you're heading
the wrong way. Don't be misled by
selilShness. Forget~what you want to
dc and think of what we want you to
10. We want you to make Il man of
/ yourself. You must do il for the sake
of those dear people who have done
so much for you. The needle points
toward the schoolhouse yonder."
lie went on with his work, and as i
walked away l understood that the
needle ne referred TO was my con-
science.
/ 1 went about my chores. There was
/ to ,be no more wavering in my con-
duct. At the supper table Mr.. Hacket
| kept us laughing with songs and jests
and stories. The boy John, having
been reproved for rapid eating, hurled
his spoon upon the floor.
Those in favor of his punishment
will please say aye?" said the school
master.
l remember that we had a divided
house ON that important question.
The schoolmaster said: Michael
Henry wishes him to be forgiven on
promise or better conduct, but for the
next offense he shall ride the bad
ger"
This meant lying for a painful mo-
ment across his fathers knee.
The promise was given and our
merrymaking resumed. The district
attorney, whom l had met before,
came TO zee me after supper and asked
more questions and advised me TO talk
with no one about the shooting with
out his consent. Soon he went away.
and after l had learned my lessons
Mr. Hacket said:
! Let us walk up TO the Jail and
spend a few minutes with Amos"