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Show DIXIE OWE Frank9 s Happy New Year Frank White you are expelled from school. The principals voice was calm and even, but as Franks glance met his stern grey eyes lie knew the decision was final. Ilis eyes dropped as the principal continued, Your actions have been disgraceful and your attitude one of willful disobedience. At the end of the Christmas holidays if you decide to come back and ask forgiveness you may finish your work, if not we will no longer consider you a member of our school. Frank slammed the office door and swung down he academy steps with quick, angry strides. No feeling of repentance or remorse showed in the snapping brown eyes or the determined square cut jaws as he muttered, Ask forgiveness of that old mutt, wait till I do. Im not that crazy about his confounded old school. Itsgoodby for keeps with me. Frank was a bright handsome He boy, the idol of his crowd. had been a good student until of late when he had fallen in with rough companions and neglected his work. Trouble with his teachers had reached a climax and he was expelled from school. For a week Frank and his friends joined in the holiday sports with goodnatured reckless-enjoymenand he seldom thought of home. When he entered his room about midnight New Years eve he was unable to cast off his troubles and fall asleep. He lay looking through the open window at the bank of fleecy white clouds, which floated over the moon and cast dark shadows over his bed. Somehow they reminded him of the soft, little, white bed in the attic where his mother always tucked him when he was a boy. How often the same moon had smiled at him through the tiny window as lie lay and listened to his mother humming a gen- tle tune as she finished the evenPoor Mother, he ing work. is She thought, always working for me. I t Oh, Bosh! whats caused this sentimental spirit to come over me? Frank sat up in bed and shook himself, then sank back and fell into a troubled sleep. He heard bis mother comHe felt her ing up the stairs. soft cool hand on his brow as she asked, Whats the matter Frankie, are you sick? With one bound he was out of bed, and as he stood shivering in the cold night air he realized that he had been dreaming but lie Yes mother, I am sick, cried, homesick for you. Ilis mind was clear now and quickly he made calculations. It was three oclock, at four the train left for Burton, be would be on board. ' New Years day would find him home with his mother. The sun was up as Frank softly opened the door and crept into his old home. Everything was so quiet he wondered if his mother was still asleep. No, he heard the familar creak of the stairs as she came down, and then for the first time he realized that lie must tell her of his disgrace. A wave of shame and cowardice caused him to hide behind the flowered calico curtains into the clothes closet. He would wait and surprise her, My, how I have overslept. The postman has been here. If I only get a letter from Frank. His mother spoke out loud and from his crack in the curtains he watched the drooping form hobble eagerly down the path and peep into the empty mail box. She came slowly back, closed the door with a weary sigh, and as she stood looking down the bleak country road the tired lines deepened around the faded brown I didnt think shed care eyes. that much for a letter from me, Frank murmured as he watched the cold wrinkled fingers scrape away the ashes and build the morning fire. Happy New Year Mandy, do ye want to sell them calico quilt tops ye spoke about? Mrs. Jones a neighbor, entered like a whirlwind and seating herself without cause if ceremony continued, know will who do, ye buy a I lot. 0 yes, I have been wonderto get some money to how ing send to Frank. frank saw his mothers eyes He light with new interest. needs some more money, I know, lie is doing so well in school this His last letter said he winter. had been putin the first team. First team, whats that Id like to know? the neighbors voice rang with sarcasm and disSome more of his tomgust. foolery no doubt, the lazy beggar. Now if he was a son of mine I f Oh, Sarah dont! the mothers voice quivered with pleading-paiYou know almost despair. Frank is no worse than most boys. Maybe a little thoughtless, but be is so young. Yes Mandy I know, and I am sorry I spoke so sharp like. The shrill voice now expressed a world of friendly sympathy and interest but it did not remove the pained look from the mothers eyes. A painful silence followed then Mrs. Jones continued, Frank didnt come home for Christmas? No the vacation was so short he wrote hed stay right at school and save the expense of coming home. The poor boy, I wanted him to come home and get a rest. If he stays there hell be sure to study all the time. He is such a bright boy and his teachers trust Her voice did him so much. |