The citizen-Republican. (Scotland, Bon Homme County, S.D.) 1???-19??, 1919-10-09
The TWICE AMERICAN
By A M. INGRAM

cScent by uellcate mlStS IN winch ISL
ands seemed to float like boIuets, the
shining city clasped by forests densely
rich hat rolled back to distant noun
tains starting up against the horizon
in lofty, Jagged peaks, the dazZled boy
understood the wisdom of the coun-
sci. He thought then, and never after
ward altered the opinion, that he had
come to the most beautiful place in
the world.
On he return voyage UP the coast
David hired a sailor from Argentina
to teach him Spanish. No one had
told him Of the difference in language
in Brazil, or that he really wished to
study Portuguese. The fee to his
teacher was one of the dollars remain
ing from the bounty of the princess
of the little shoes. Perhaps that knowl-
edge helped him to hard study; 1t was
part of his adventure fund. He learned
with rapidity, with the accurate mimi
cry of youth to help him; and prac-
ticed assiduously al every port the boat
touched.
That study called his attention to
a difference in English 6iction. The
captain and Mr.. Blake did not speak
like he dark eyed gentleman who had
they speak like the men Of the crew
nor like David himself. The boy set
himself to the tasks of observation and
imitation Of what he found desirable.
lie made comparisons, and took men
tai notes; becoming, in time, a fas-
tidious critic Of himself and others.
From language, he passed to the con-
sideration of many details Of manner
and department.
The Maya Girl did not return to New
York. Her new cargo was consigned
to a port in South Carolina, and from
there she again ran down the coasts
FAR below the equator. David did not
regret the cratic movements Of the
floating home he had adopted, but well
coined the changes. He would have
Stunned New York, from choice, in
those days. He a a shy, proud dread
of meeting the little girl or the GENTLE
man, lest they might think him beg
ging more favors. He was in no hurry;
his thoughts were the long, long
thoughts of youth.
He spent two on the Maya
Girl. Then Mr.. Blake attained a posi-
ton for which he had unanswered for
years. He became master of a vessel
belonging to Brazilian owners, and
plying between Boston and Rio de ia
Metro. He took his protege, David, with
him to this new position. The boy
was IL years old. then, and much
Spanish intercourse lac made the Ian
guage almost as truly his own as Eng
lish.
On its first voyage the ship had the
honor of carrying as passenger the
brother of it's owner. He was an aris-
tocrat of the extinct Brazilian empire;
an old man with a voice that flowed
Ike poured cream and a manner at
once mild n lofty. He had an air
of being magnificently Indifferent to
everyone about him while in reality
observing all things with an Unsuitable.
inquisitiveness. The lives and emotions
OF other people entertained him enor-
mously. He was not slow to perceive
an entertainment of novelty in Cap
tain Blake's interest In David; and pro-
ceeded to investigate its source by the
simple method OF himself talking to
the boy.
h baron DON found there were
deeps In David Noel beyond shallow
soundings. Delighted by an %unantici-
pated diversion, he summoned the boy
to him on every possible occasion, den-
cately graphing for the satisfaction
OF hfs curiosity. So deity managed
were these conversational graphing
irons that the inexperienced David new
er perceived their use. Yet quite un-
consciously he continued to battle The
~searcher's whim to know; a whim kin
to the passion Of a collector. David
never imagined himself as an enigma,
or h distinguished passenger as a
student Of such matters. He was too
young to conceive. as the Brazilian did.
that the most simple person-in the
world has secret ways OF thought, con-
cealed windings Of the heart rarely
traced by n knowledge save his own,
aA0 SAtcieAoEV OAASIlIlS To an explorer
the allure OF all forbidden places. It
never occurred to him to speak of HIM
sself. still less of his days as a street
boy in New York, although he was al
, ways glad to pause beside the baron's
deck chair for a chat in English or
Spanish. The Brazilian spoke both
flawlessly.
It vas the question of language that
dredged up his first desired pearl shell
of knowledge for the Senior da Fu-
entes.
You speak better Spanish than Eng
lish, my boy" the old man one day
informed him. do you understand
what I meang Your Spanish IL thai
OF a chop keeper; your English is tina,
OF the slums."
David Noel looked at the other with
his vivid gray ayes, and nodded.
Yes. sir. I learned Spanish BY talk
ing in the shops and 70 sailors. In,
English-well. 4 grew up where yo,r
say. But TIM trying to- fix it. Some
day rye got to talk decent"
"Decently.. supplied the baron. sDe.
Gently. Why