The Oakley Eagle

WHERE HE GOT THEM.
Little Boy's Explanation Embarrassed Generous Teacher.

At recess one morning little Nathan Garowski withdrew to a corner and wept, and the heart of his pretty teacher was moved with compassion.

"What's the matter, Nathan?" she inquired gently. "Why don't you play with the others?"

Nathan looked up with dimmed eyes. Dust and tears mingled on his brown cheeks. He pointed mutely to his skirt and then broke into a roar:

"It was the dress of Rebecca. Me mudder no money has for buy me any t'ing. I nefer have the trouser, and the children—the children—they stick out the finger on me, and make a laughs. They call me—call me—a gi-girl."

"Don't mind them, dear," said Alice Harmon with sympathy. "They shall not laugh at you long. I will get you a coat and trousers, too."

Several days later Nathan appeared in the glory of a new suit and strutted about basking in the admiring glances of those who had despised him. His cup of pride was filled to overflowing when the superintendent came in with the principal for a visit of inspection. Nathan, well in the foreground, glanced at his garments and looked at the strangers for approbation.

"Why, little boy, what a fine pair of trousers!" said the superintendent affably. "Where did you get them?"

Nathan drew himself up to his full height, and outstretched his hand in the direction of his beloved teacher.

"I got them off her," he announced. "I got them off Miss Harmon."

Then Alice Harmon, with the blush of confusion on her fair face, explained: "The—the children—on the East Side always say 'off' when they mean 'from.'"—Lippincott's.