The Fourth Watch | Page 4

heart beat fast. What! was his name in the
paper? Would the people in the big city see it? What would the boys in
the neighbourhood think? Would they make fun of him any more? He
could show them now that he was somebody, for his name was in the
paper! These thoughts drove surgingly through his brain. He rose from
his place and stood by his father's side.
"Show me, dad," he whispered; "let me see it."
"There, Danny, look at the heading:--
"'A Boy's Brave Deed.'"
"And is that long piece all about me, dad?"
"Yes, and it states what you did. Why didn't you tell me about it, son?"
"Where's my name, dad?" asked Dan, unheeding his father's question.
"There," and Mr. Flitter, pointing with his finger, spelled out the words,
"Daniel Flitter."
"Does it say, dad, who those people were that got swamped?"
"No, their names are not given. It only says that the young man lives in
the city. But why didn't you tell me about it, Dan?"
"Thought it wasn't worth while," replied the boy. "But I don't see how
they know about it down there to put it in the paper."
"How did it happen, son. Let's have the whole story." Mr. Flitter pulled
off his boots, lighted his pipe afresh, and leaned back to listen.

"I wonder who that woman is," he remarked, when Dan had finished
his brief account. "I know most people for miles around, and it's
strange I don't know her from your description. However, I shall make
inquiries and find out."
During the days that followed, Dan lived in a new world. His feet trod
the earth, and he trudged for miles the woodland ways. But his mind
was in fairyland.
It was an enchanted world through which he moved, and he was master
of all. The trees on every side were crowds of admiring people, and the
branches were so many outstretched hands pointing to him. His breast
swelled with pride. He walked erect, his head held high, while his eyes
flashed with a triumphant light. The birds sang his praises; the squirrels
chattered one to another, and every brook babbled "Daniel Flitter,
Daniel Flitter." His name had appeared in the paper! He was no longer
an obscure person, but a hero--a wonder! He kept the clipping carefully
wrapped up in his pocket. Often he would sit down in some quiet forest
spot, unfold his treasure and look long and proudly upon those two
magic words. One day as he sat studying the paper a desire came into
his heart to know all of those wonderful words before and after his
name. He could not read, never having gone to school. In fact he never
wanted to do so. His one aim was to be a mighty hunter and trapper like
his father. But now, a longing had entered his soul; a spark from the
mysterious fire of life had found a lodging which needed only a little
fanning to produce a bright and fervent flame.
"Dad," said he, that night, while eating his supper, "I wish I knew how
to read. All the boys in this settlement can read and write. Ain't I old
enough to begin?"
"You're old enough, lad, but we live a long way from the schoolhouse,
and when you were little it was too far for you to walk. You might go
this winter, when there's spare time, if you don't mind the distance."
"I don't mind that, dad, but all the rest will know so much that they'll
make fun of me. I only know a few of my letters, and mother taught me
them before she died."

"She did, lad, she did, God bless her," and a huskiness came into Mr.
Flitter's voice as he spoke. "If she were alive now you would know as
much as any boy of your age, for your mother was a smart one, and I
guess you take after her, Dan.
"I wish I had her now," and the boy gave a deep eigh. "She'd help me
every night, and I wouldn't be stupid any more."
Mr. Flitter made no reply to these words. He finished his supper in
silence, and while Dan washed the few dishes he sat thoughtfully
smoking his old clay pipe.
"Laddie," he remarked as they were preparing for bed, "I've been
having deep thoughts to-night, and I've come to the conclusion that I
haven't done right by you. I've neglected you too much."
"In what way, dad?" questioned the boy.
"Oh, in many ways. I've fed and clothed you, though I guess you've
earned it all. But I've not thought enough about your mind--your
education, I mean. Besides, there are deeper and more serious things in
life of which I've told