Daily Republican

"Ralph, the fifteen-minute bell is ringing."

"Not going to school to-day."

His mother said nothing more. How could she send a boy to school who had but half a breakfast, and who was out at elbows, and knees, and toes. But the father who, more sober than usual, lounging around the door, roused himself at the boy's words.

"Not going to school, eh? How long since you came to be your own master? If that is the way you appreciate your privileges, it's high time you lost them. Might as well stop school anyway; you don't learn anything."

"Reckon I could if I had half a chance," said the boy, looking disconsolately at his rags.

"I haven't another patch left to mend your clothes with," said his mother sadly.

"Oh, it isn't your fault; no one blames you, mother," said Ralph quickly.

"I suppose that means that I am to blame for everything that oughtn't to be. A boy of thirteen ought to be able to earn a suit of clothes, to say nothing of his bread and butter."

"Lots of good it would do me to earn anything," muttered Ralph, sullenly.

Usually he would not have dared to say so much in his father's presence, but this morning he hardly cared what he did or what might follow. Usually, too, he would have paid dearly for such a speech: but now Mr. Allen only said:

"You're an impudent rascal: but seeing I haven't done as well by you I'll make a bargain with you. Every cent you can make you may have, but not a bite to eat nor a rag to wear, besides. Do you understand? Now be off, and see what you are worth."

"All right," answered Ralph, picking up his ragged hat.

"You won't go out of town," said his mother anxiously, as he passed out.

"No, not without letting you know," he answered from outside the gate.

From simple force of habit, and without any definite purpose, he took the road leading to the school house, and found himself at the door just as the noisy troop were entering. "Might as well go in, too," he said to himself, and did. But his books remained unopened, and when his class was called he sat still in his seat. His teacher was sure from his looks that he was sick or in trouble, and knowing something of his home life, thought best to pay no attention at the time. At recess, however, she went and sat down beside him.