Bolax, Imp or Angel-Which?

Coal

ll just take a holiday." As he was turning off the bridge he heard some one say: "Well, young man, where are you bound for?" Looking up he saw Mr. O'Donnel, the coal man. "

ls the woods 'God's own garden,' and while there is a wild flower to be had, from the arbutus and hepatica in early Spring to the golden rod in the autumn, we gat

with me if you can climb up; you're a mighty knowi

breeze all combined to make Bolax enjoy his drive, although one would suppo

veway into a gentleman's private demesne. On each side, it was bordered by immense sycamore trees; their beautiful

m," answered Bolax, with a rising inflection as though he felt injured at anyone questioning his religious belief. "Can't you see in my face I'm a Catholic; you ought to hear me stand up for my religion. I knocked the stuffing out of Reddy Smith last week for saying the priest walked pigeon-toed." "Ha! Ha!" laughed Mr. O'Donnel, "more power to

ut them, and Mamma and Papa took sides with them

ording to what they know of religion. After the disaster at Colesburg, the Boers helped to bury the British dead; they prayed and sang hymns over the graves, and some of the leaders made impressive speeches, expressing their horror of the

ng those good people and teach them the true faith." "God bless your innocent heart. I wonder if you'

table people, and I am sure you are very re

are at our journey's end; suppose you get down at the gate, my little man, and run up to the house and ask to have the

ge his friend and show his

wreath and a very smutty face, who, hat in hand presented the ticket to be signed and asked to have the cellar window opened; after saying this the boy bowed. Mrs. Carpenter was quite astonished at such gentlemanly manners, and smiling and patting the boy on the head she asked his name. "Bolax," said he, with another bow. "What an odd name," said Mrs. Carpenter, and going to the door, she saw that the coal-man was of respectable appearance, and apparently above his present occupation. Thinking to please him, she c

Nellie went back to the parlor and gave a description of the coal-man's son, with such extraordinary good m

cause I wouldn't practice." Miss Devine heard Bo's voice, and listening for a moment said, "Let me see that boy." On going to the kitchen door she made an exclamation which brought all the ladies on the scene. Then she la

is my little friend Bolax, Amy's brother. Don't be angry, Amy." "I can't help being

off the smear, but only succeeded in adding two more black streaks, for

inviting him to look at their Pony. Bo forgot his sister's displeasure

St. Thomas' for two weeks; they didn't want to take me because I'm

e fellows up th

d caught hold of Father Clement's arm, and he wasn't struck dead!" "Struck dead!" exclaimed Sam. "What do you mean?" "Why my Mamma told me a priest was more holy than the 'Ark of the Covenant,' and once long ago, two men were struck dead just for putting their hands on the Ark. So I thought for sure, a boy th

haps our Lord forgave the boy this time, that

work to keep it nice. I went behind a big fellow that was on the grass and I pushed him off, and asked him if he didn't see the sign." "What did he say to you?" laughed the boys. "Oh, he called me a fusty kid, and said, 'I

riests kin

om most of the time. Day before yesterday he asked me to come up to see him, and he showed me pictures, a

they laughed outright. Sam patted the little fellow on the head, and gave hi

first let me wipe your face; there is just a speck of black on the end of your nose." Bo was very thankful to be made somewhat prese

ide home on the coal c

get into your ca

with me; we'll exc

get lost." Amy was ready to cry at Bo's escapade, but the young ladies and their brothers enjoyed the joke i

oul clean." "My darling little brother," said Amy, throwing her arms around Bo's neck, "forgive me if I have hurt your feelings. Your family knows how clean your soul is, but strangers only judge by outward appearances."

dren bid "au revoir" to Miss Devine; then she rec

account of his day, for he had been away since luncheon. "Oh, Aunt Lucy, Mr. O'Donnel is such a kind man

you to ride with him, but he did not think of the danger there was for a stumpy little fellow, with short legs, perched so hi

d be hurt if I passed him without speaking." "Of course, dear; you ma

the boys say, although no one expected a bliz

venture out, and the four day scholars we

red for, and could remain with him until the roads were cleared, if it took a w

charge gave him a night robe; then tucked him in bed as deftly as if he had b

or the night. Suddenly Bolax gave a scream, "two rats! Two rats, two

ted with: "Rats! Mr. Royal, Rats!" There were sixteen boys in

Royal; "where did

" said Harry Dunn, "but how did they escape?" "D

s; I was just looking at them when the door of the trap opened s

ought not to have gone near the tr

zen voices expressed their owners' willingness to go on t

iers. All the doors were shut, and the hunt began; the rats did not keep together, but ran in different directio

know which way to run. Such laughter! It appeared to be gre

nd order was once more restored.

trust to your honor." And all did obey, for they loved an

heard of Bo's rats, and had a good

ather Anthony, and his reports delighted his father and mother. At Easter h