Clinton New Era, 1895-02-22, Page 3•
BE MOND OF THE bEYEIVi11u
(lir MRs FRANK Lan)
(Reproduced from the Youth's.(mpantos,
Boston, by consent of the stithor.t
4ACK MAKES A PROMISE AND KEEPS IT
CHAPTER V.
(CONTINUED)
The day that followed was a hard
one to Jack. There were sneers from
unmanly ones ou the beaten side in
their battle, and .much good-natured
shafting, almost as hard to bear when
the boy was smarting under the sting
of unmerited disgrace.
Snesham frequently managed to turn
the edge of the sneers and teasing by
his raillery; and Jack bore it mostly in
silence, though his clinched hands and
darkening face sometimes proved the
effort a severe one. On her way down
street, after her dismissal, Miss Allen
met Snesham, who lifted his' hat and
paused.
"Thought it my duty to see the
spectre home," the senior said. "I tell
you, Miss Allen, that's a particularly
gritty ghost."
The days rolled quietly by with their
usual routine after this, fast complet-
ing the weeks before examination. The
exact day set apart for any class; not
even the teachers knew, and the un-
certainty fairly acted as a stimulous
en the department. Seventh's boys
worked famously. The pupils were
,narked on a system of per cents„ and
any grade under ninety was regarded
with marked disapproval.
Miss Allen tried to moderate Sav-
age's good-natured growling one day
when he fell below, by reminding him
that an average of eighty-five would
secure the desired promotion, but was
told he didn't want just to scramble in-
to the next grade; the Seventh was
bound to go up with flying colors.
There was surely a change in Jack
Redmond. Then, as always, a good
student, the change otherwise seemed
to affect his whole nature. He had
Bever been a very kindly boy -not
from any maliciousness, but simply
because not often needing help or
sympathy himself, he did not think to
give any to others.
Somehow the discovery Of his weak-
ness when attempting self-control ap-
peared lbs i6niik'e frim more lenient and
gentle. Several times at recess Miss
.Allen found him patiently assisting
some slower brain. that would former-
ly have only roused his contemnt; and
Eagleson, between whom and himself
had been considerable rivalry, admit-
ted that Jack wasn't always so set on
having his own way.
In many of these things Miss Allen
recognized the influence of Snesham,
who had doubted if he possessed any
influence. The senior hardly realized
the hold he bad upon that strong and
fiery nature.
Well was it for Jack -that his friend,
whom he had grown to love with all
tris passionate spirit, was whole-souled
and c'Teit;n-hearted. Yes, I . believe
that every thinghad drawn Redmond
3.o him. Jack was too strong to love
down. --It must -bea-character as strong
as, or stronger, than ,his own that
would attract him. It might be -would
need -to be perhaps -strength of a dif-
ferent sort; but the power must be
there.
Miss_Allenalways remembered when
she first discovered there was some-
thing more to Snesham than careless
ood-nature and drawling nonsense.
good-nature
by her table one day, he de=
sired to Show her an article cut from
some journal, and, as he emptied his
vest-pocket of several slips of paper in
the search, out dropped a tiny Testa-
ment, from which fluttered a photo-
graph....
Miss -Allen 'picrced up the picture to
aestorg;it to', him. It had fallen face
downward upon the table, and raising
it, she:gaW-the words, "For my boy -
Cod bless -him!"
Willkurnedit oder in her hand, and
she looked long at the gentle, mother-
ly face: She noticed afterward, with
eecret'TSlteasure, the loving touch with
which he laid it again in the little
worn book.
"Good things to keep together,
Will -and always by one," she said,
laying her hand lightly on his.
"I think sp. My shield," touching
the spot -where he had placed them,
with a -tender light under the heavy
lids; and many a time after, when she
heard ,the pleasant voice, with its
slight drawl, and frequent slang -nev-
er rough or coarse - Miss Allen's
thoughts would go back with a thrill
to this remembrance.
To reiirrn to Redmond. Of course,
there were tirnss when his hard-earned
self-control slipped momentarily away
from him-: he would never be especial-
ly amiable; bat there had been nothing
in hidcpilduct which even Mr Haver-
• ill's pre',tidiced eye could find amiss.
His teacher half -fancied the master
began to ibok upon him with a more
favorable eye.
Stevens, of the Fiftlh had never for-
.Jotten'6't•forgiven ']fns encounter with
ack. He- ranked well in his class as
regardedlecholarship, and was quite a
faverftt"With his teacher, Mise Lever-
ing, whL 'declared his behavior to be
unexceptionable. Mr Haverill roused
„ her indignation one 'day, by saying
that Stev'eltn$ had tiot an honest face;
and Miss Allen found that neither Mr
Nellis-nor the yard -monitors coincided
in Miss Levering's Opinion. Whether
it was -correct or net we shall see.
One morning,the as gong sounded
at 8.50 ;