by Grace MacGowan Cooke (1863- )

[From Harper's Magazine_, August, 1906 Copyright, 1906, by Harper & Brothers Republished author's permission ]

boy in an unnaturally clean, country-laundered collar walked down long white road He scuffed the dust up wantonly, for to veil the all-too-brilliant polish cowhide shoes Also the memory whiteness and slipperiness collar oppressed him fain to look like one accustomed to social diversions, man hurried from hall to hall of pleasure, without time between collar or polish boot He stooped and rubbed crumb of earth overfresh neck-linen

long sustain his drooping spirit mentally adrift Hints and Helps to Young Men in Business and Social Relations_, which had suggested to him his present enterprise, appearance of second youth, taller and broader than himself, with shock of light curling hair and crop of freckles that advertised rich soil threw him lifeline He put his thumbs lips and whistled in peculiarly ear-splitting way The two boys had sat same bench at Sunday-school not three hours before; yet what change had come over the world for since then !

"Hello ! Where you goin', Ab ? " asked the newcomer, gruffly

"Callin'," replied the boy collar, laconically, but with carefully averted gaze

" girls ? " inquired the other, awestruck In Mount Pisgah you saw the girls home from night church, socials, or parties; hang over the gate; and walk with girl cemetery of Sunday afternoon; but to ring front-door bell and ask for Miss Heart's Desire one must in long trousers three years-- two boys confronted dusty road had worn these dignifying garments barely six months

"Girls," said Abner, loftily; "I don't know about girls--I'm just going on one girl--Champe Claiborne " He marched on the conversation was at an end; but Ross hung upon his flank Ross and Champe were neighbors, comrades in all sorts of mischief; in doubt whether to halt Abner and pummel him, or propose to enlist under his banner

" reckon ? " he debated, trotting along irresponsive Jilton boy

"Run home to your mother," growled the originator plan, savagely "You ain't old enough on girls; anybody that; but , and I'm going on Champe Claiborne "

Again the name acted as spur on Ross "With your collar and boots all dirty ? " he jeered "They won't know you're callin' "

The boy road stopped short dusty tracks an intense creature, and he whitened tragic insinuation, longing wholesome stay and companionship of freckle-faced Ross "I put the dirt on o' purpose so's to look kind of careless," he half whispered, in an agony of doubt "S'pose I'd better go into your house and try to wash it off ? Reckon your mother would let me ? "

"I've got two clean collars," announced the other boy, proudly generous "I'll lend you one put it on while I'm getting ready I'll tell mother that we're just stepping out little calling girls "

Here was an ally worthy cause Abner welcomed him, of certain jealous twinges He reflected with satisfaction that there were two Claiborne girls, and though Alicia was so stiff and prim that no boy would ever think of calling on her, still the she might draw Ross's fire, and leave him, Abner, to numerous remarks he had stored up mind from Hints and Helps to Young Men in Social and Business Relations to Champe alone

Mrs Pryor received them easy-going kindness mother of one son She followed them dining-room to kiss and feed him, with an absent "Howdy, Abner; how's your mother ? "

Abner, big importance mutual intention, inclined his head stiffly and looked toward Ross for explanation He trembled little, but with delight, as he anticipated the effect speech Ross had outlined But it come

"I'm not hungry, mother," revised edition which the freckle-faced boy offered maternal ear "I-- going over to Mr Claiborne's--on--er--on an errand for Abner's father "

The black-eyed boy looked reproach clattered up the stairs to Ross's room, where the clean collar was produced and small stock of ties

"You'd wear necktie--wouldn't you ? " Ross asked, spreading them bureau-top

"Yes But make it fall carelessly over your shirt-front," advised the student of Hints and Helps "Your collar is miles too big Say ! I've got wad of white chewing-gum; would you flat it out and stick it over the collar button ? Maybe fill up some You kick my foot if me turning my head so's to knock it off "

"Better button up your vest," cautioned Ross, laboring "careless" fall tie

"Huh-uh ! 'that easy air which presupposes familiarity with society'--that's what it says in my book," objected Abner

"Sure ! " Ross returned more familiar jeering attitude "Loosen up all your clothes, then Why don't you untie your shoes ? Flop sock down over one of 'em--that looks 'easy' all right "

Abner buttoned his vest "It gives man lots of confidence he's good-looking," he remarked, taking all the room in front mirror

Ross, wash-stand soaking his hair the curl out of it, grumbled some unintelligible response The two boys went down the stairs with tremulous hearts

"Why, you've put on another clean shirt, Rossie ! " Mrs Pryor called from her chair--mothers' eyes ! "Well--don't get into any dirty play and soil it " The boys walked in silence--but pregnant silence; for roof Claiborne house began to peer above the crest hill, Ross plumped down on stone and announced, "I ain't goin' "

"Come on," urged the black-eyed boy "It'll be fun--and everybody will respect us more Champe won't throw rocks at us in recess-time, after we've called on her She couldn't "

"Called ! " grunted Ross "I couldn't make call any more than cow What'd ? What'd ? behave all right just go to people's houses--but call ! "

Abner hesitated Should he give away his brilliant inside information, drawn Hints and Helps book, and be rivalled glory manners and bearing ? Why should he not pass on alone, perfectly composed, and reap the field of glory unsupported ? His knees gave way and he sat down without intending it

"Don't you tell anybody and I'll put you on to exactly what grown-up gentlemen say and do go calling girls," he began

"Fire away," retorted Ross, gloomily "Nobody out from me Dead men tell no tales If I'm fool enough , I don't expect out of it alive "

Abner rose, white and shaking, and thrusting three fingers buttoning vest, extending the other hand like an orator, proceeded to instruct the freckled, perspiring disciple at his feet

"'Hang your hat rack, or give it to servant '" Ross nodded intelligently

"'Let your legs be gracefully disposed, one hand knee, the other--'"

Abner came to an unhappy pause "I forget what fellow does other hand Might stick it in your pocket, loudly, or expectorate carpet Indulge in little frivolity Let rich stream of conversation flow '"

Ross mentally dug within himself for sources of rich streams of conversation dry soil "What you goin' about ? " he demanded, fretfully "I won't go step farther till what I'm goin' when I get there "

Abner began to repeat paragraphs from Hints and Helps "' best to remark,'" he opened, in an unnatural voice, "'How well looking ! ' although fulsome compliments avoided When seated young lady who her favorite composer is '"

"What's composer ? " inquired Ross, with visions of soothing-syrup mind

"A man that makes up music Don't butt way; you put me all out--'composer is Name yours Ask her what piece of music she likes best Name yours lady is musical, here ask her to play or sing '"

This chanted recitation seemed hypnotic effect freckled boy; his big pupils contracted Abner came repetend, "Name yours "

"I'm tired already," he grumbled; but some spell made him rise and fare farther

had entered the Claiborne gate, they leaned toward like young saplings weakened root and locking branches what shallow foothold on earth remained

"You're goin' in first," asserted Ross, but without conviction his custom to tear up house dozen times week, father's old horse or afoot; wont to yell for Champe as he approached, and quarrel joyously with her while he performed such errand as he had come upon; but gagged and hamstrung now hypnotism of Abner's scheme

"'Walk quietly up the steps; ring the bell and lay your card servant,'" quoted Abner, who had never heard of server

"'Lay your card servant ! '" echoed Ross "Cady'd dodge There's porch to cross after you go up the steps--does it say anything ? "

"It says card placed servant," Abner reiterated, doggedly "If Cady dodges, it ain't any business no porches in my book Just walk across it like anybody We'll ask for Miss Champe Claiborne "

"We haven't got any cards," discovered Ross, with hope

" ," announced Abner, pompously "I had some struck off in Chicago I ordered 'em They got my name Pillow, but there's scalloped gilt border around it write on my card Got pencil ? "

He produced the bit of cardboard; Ross fished up chewed stump of lead pencil, took it in cold, stiff fingers, and disfigured the square with eccentric scribblings

"They'll know who it's meant for," , apologetically, "because I'm here What's likely to happen after we get rid card ? "

" you about hanging your hat rack and disposing your legs "