The Aberdeen weekly. [volume] (Aberdeen, Miss.) 1878-1933, 1921-12-02
ole
ORIOLE

question, Mr.. Dill; but do you like
poetry"
Mobiles expression took on cold
ness for the word brought 10 his
mind a thought of NewIand Saunders.
This was poet of Mobiles age, who
wrote verses TO Julia-that too-lOvely,
absent aunt of Florences. DO l like
poetry" said Noble mo. don't"
Florence was momentarily discOur-
aged but at her age people usually
possess an invaluable faculty which
they lose later in life; and it is pity
they do lose ii. At thirteen-es especial
ly the earlier months of thirteen
they are still able TO set aside and
dismiss from their minds almost any
facts, no matter how audibly those
facts have asked for recognition. Chill
dren superbIy allow themselves TO be-
come deaf, SO TO speak, 10 undesirable
circumstances most frequently, Of
course, to undesirable circumstances
In the way Of parental direction; so
that fathers. mothers. nurses. or gov
ernesses, not comprehending that this
mental deafness is for the time being
entirely genuine, are liable to hoarse-
ness both Of throat and temper Thir-
teen is an age when the fading of this
gift or talent-One of the most beau
tiful of hildhood-begins TO impair
its helpfulness, under the mistaken
stress of discipline; but Florence re-
tanned something of ii. In a moment
or two Noble DIFs disaffection toward
poetry was altogether as if it did not
exist
She coughed, inclined her head
manner of pOliteness to callers. and,
repeating her deprecatOry laugh. re-
marked, well, Of course it's kind of
funny question for me to ask, of
course"
What is, Flc~ence?" Noble inquired
absently
"WelI-what I was saying was that
course it's sort Of queer me askin'
if you liked poetry, of course, on ac-
count of my writing poetry the way
do now
She looked up at him with a bright
readiness TO respond modestly to
whatever exclamation his wonder
should dictate but Mobiles attention
had struggled again. He failed to
comprehend what she had set before
him.
Has she written your mother late
lyY he asked.
Florence's expression denoted a
mental condition slightly disturbed.
No" she said. It's gOin' to be
printed in the North End Daily ORR
Ole.H
"What?"
My poem. It's about a vast amen
anyhow that's prob1y the best thing
in it, I guess-and they're goin' to
have it tomorrow. or else they'll have
TO settle with me; that's one thing
certain! I'll bring one over to your
house and leave 1t at the door for
you, Mr. Dill"
Noble had but a confused notion
of what she thus generally promised.
However. he said, Thank you" and
nodded vaguely.
"Of course, 1 don't know as it's so
awful good Florence admitted insin-
cerely THE family all seem to think
it's something pretty much; but don't
know If it is or not Really, l don't!'
NO" said Noble, still confused. Il
suppose not"
I'm half way through another one |
l think myself'1 be a good deal better. |
I'm not goin' as fast with it as l did |
with the other one, and expect it'll he |
quite a ways ahead of this one" She |
again employed the deprecatory little |
laugh. Il don't know how l do it. |
myself The family all think it's sort
of funny I don't know how l do it
myself but that's the way it is. They !
all say if they could do it they're sure
they'd know how they did 1t; but I |
guess they're wrong. 1 presume If
you can do it. why 1t just comes to |
you? Don't you presume that's the !
way ii is. Mr.. Dill?"
"I-guess so" They had reached |
his gate. and he stopped. You're sure
none of your family have heard any
thing tOday?" he asked anxiOusly.
From Aunt Julia? l don't think
they have"
He sighed. and opened the gate.
well, good evening, Florence"
Good evening" Her eyes followed I
him wistfully as he passed within the /
inclosure then she turned and walked I
quickly toward her own home but at +
the corner of the next fence she called I
over her shoulder, I'll leave it with /
your mother for you, If you're not I
home when | bring it."
"What?' he shouted, from the vi
entity of his front door.
"rH leave it with your mother"
Leave what?"
The poem!'
"Oh T. said Noble
His mother handed him a copy of
he first issue of the North End Daily
Oriole. the next day when he came
home TO lunch. He read 1t without
there was nothing about
Julia in IL.
THE North End daily Oriols
Atwater s. Rooter Awners & Propreitors