Cowboy Kim

By Ida Stewart Peay

(Previous chapter)

Chapter 11.

As Wallie Carson sat in the meeting which was to elect the officers for the new Athletic Club of the Webster School he was persistently cultivating in himself a feeling of good will towards everybody and persuading himself that he would be glad for whatever fellow was fortunate enough to secure the presidency. While these thoughts were going through his mind the meeting had been getting under way and soon Mr. Hicks called for nominations. Kim’s name was the first up. Then one or two other names were mentioned, among them that of the popular ball player, Bob Simmons. all of a sudden Kim stood up. He said he had a candidate in whose behalf he wanted to say a few words. Some unexplainable premonition made Wallie’s heart stand still and then beat so loud for a moment that he could not hear what his friend was saying. Presently Wallie became a little calmer and was able to follow the speaker.

“– he’s a fine athlete, he knows what all the boys can do, he’ll be fair and you can always depend upon him being on time for everything – I nominate Wallie Carson.”

A thrill of pleasure passed over the last nominee, his eyes smarted for a second, then he got his feelings in check and held up his head and waited.

Ever since a certain great teacher called attention to the fact that a shepherd will leave his ninety-nine sheep to go in search of the one hundredth which is lost and that there is more rejoicing over the one found than over all who were safely in the fold, humanity has been interested in a reformed brother. There is romance in the thought that one who had wandered into forbidden paths has at least returned contrite and humble. all this was vaguely sensed under the surface of this tiny convention. Although not much was said then or later, at least, by the scholars, yet every one seemed to know that Wallie Carson was trying bravely to be good, square, helpful and almost before the dazed lad could realize what was being done he was voted in as president of the new club. he was elected with a rousing cheer from his school mates that filled his heart to overflowing.

Kim accepted the position of treasurer of the society because he knew how to handle funds – and create them if required. Jorg was made secretary from the fact that he was the best listener, also, he knew how to put down on paper what he heard. And Bob Simmons was made happy – as was evidenced by his sunny grin – by being called upon to manage the ball team.

When the history-making meeting was over all the boys were cheering and bubbling with great expectations, but Wallie Carson was the most affected. His satisfaction was unbounded. Still it did not blind him, he knew he had a difficult role to sustain and he was determined to do it the best he could.

He was beginning to realize something about the power of habit. Without being able to reason it clearly he sort of sensed the fact that Kim’s right behavior was easy – done almost unconsciously while his own good deeds were achieved by the greatest endeavor and trial. He remembered, now, with keen appreciation what one of the teachers had told him Mark Twain had said about bad habits. It was to the effect that when one had walked gaily upstairs with them – the bad habits – one was not then able to throw them lightly out of the window to get rid of them, but must coax each down one step at a time. That was Wallie’s job from now on and he was working at it with a will to succeed.

Mrs. Carson was the last person to notice a change in her small son. When he came home with kindling eyes and a new dignity and told her of the exalted position he had attained she was utterly surprised and genuinely affected.

“Why, Wallie, you don’t mean it!” she gasped.

“Sure as you’re alive,” bragged the boy with excusable pride.

“However did they come to elect you?”

“I suppose one reason is that I am always early for school,” the child speculated with frank honesty. “That’s mighty important! Then I know which kids are good runners and jumpers and so on, and I try to be square,” here Wallie stole a quizzical look at his mother. She had often intimated that he was just the opposite from honest and he now perceived that she seemed stunned. At last she commended him.

“Good for you, sonny,” she said kindly. “I suppose it is true that ‘blood will tell.’”

Then she went over to impart the good news to Mrs. Sloane. She was surprised to find that her neighbor had already been informed.

“He’s got good stuff in him!” Mrs. Carson could not withhold that small boast.

“Oh, certainly!” admitted Mrs. Sloane. “Then I am sure that his punctuality was a great thing in his favor.”

“I’ve noticed that he gets off to school this fall without me scolding him, but I declare I don’t see what converted him to such a sensible course all of a sudden.”

“The wager, mainly, no doubt.”

“What wager?

“Didn’t you know about his and Kim’s bet?”

Mrs. Carson did not know, therefore, her friend enlightened her.

“So that is why Wallie gets up and goes off without his breakfast?” marveled the lady.

“Yes. Kim would do the same if I didn’t have the meal ready. But Peter and I get up a little earlier for the sole purpose of helping the child off. We think it is so wonderful for the boys to have a determination to e prompt.”

“It is!” responded Mrs. Carson solemnly. She went home in a thoughtful mood. Had she been too sure that she was always right? Did Wallie have finer and better qualities in him than she had suspected? She seriously resolved, hereafter, to study her boy and his interests with an unbiased mind and more of that attribute that “thinketh no evil.”

The Athletic Club was only the beginning of organization in the Webster School. Teachers and scholars were enthused with the spirit of it. Now besides having achieved the highest standard of punctuality ever realized, they had raised a number of records in the athletic line which won for them first place among the schools of the town. This gave them a desire to try for advancement in other lines.

Miss Sawyer was responsible, or at least partially so, for the next move. She still taught the fifth Grade. This year she discovered that she had some excellent voices in her room; therefore, she organized a quartette and had them entertain the whole school with their sweet singing. This style of amusement made a great impression on Kim. It delighted im above all things he had ever experienced. Whenever these little musicians were performing he would sit with a rapt expression on is face while his heart overflowed with joy strangely mixed with sadness; but it was a sweet, soothing sadness and the harmonies seemed to make him live and love more abundantly. In one of these transported moods the thought came into his head which when worked out brought still more glory to the Webster School and a new charm into the lives of its pupils.

Kim did not tell anyone about his latest idea. It was vague in his mind, anyway. he could not have ut it into words. However, one step towards is fulfillment presented itself to him and he forthwith took it. That evening when he got home from school he waited impatiently for his uncle to arrive from is day’s work. Mr. Sloane finally reached the garden gate and Kim rushed to meet him.

“Oh, you’re here at last!”

“Hello, my boy,” greeted Uncle Pete in his usual good humored manner. “What have you on your mind?”

“I want to know the names of the men who manage the schools,” answered the boy coming to the point directly like a true executive.

“The Board of Education?”

“Yes, sir.”

“There are five of them. The president is my friend and office-neighbor, Mr. Pett; you know him.”

“Oh, yes, goody goody!” cried the boy. “I’m so glad.”

“why should that make you pleased?”

“I am glad the president is someone I know and someone who knows us for I have a favor to ask him and I shall feel less afraid now.”

“Oh!” Uncle Pete’s intonation indicated his usual interest, not to say curiosity, but he delicately refrained from questioning Kim out right.

“I will tell you all about it and then if you like my plan maybe you’ll tell me what to do first,” explained the boy in a thrillingly confidential tone as he and his uncle leaned against the fence like a couple of old cronies ready for a confab.

“Fire away,” smiled Mr. Sloane, anticipating a little fun for Kim’s schemes always greatly amused him.

“This is it –” bean the lad in a cautiously low voice – “we boys at school have been talking it over and we want to organize – ”

Just at this moment Mr. Carson who was passing, stopped to chat a moment with his neighbor so Kim withheld the important words as he was afraid any premature announcement of his plot might interfere with its development.

Later that evening, however, Kim found opportunity to divulge his secret to his uncle and also to his aunt. They were both enthusiastically in favor of what Kim proposed. They told him that it was their judgment that a petition from the parents should be presented to the Board by a delegation of Webster School boys. Aunt Mabel had to explain to the boy that a petition was an appeal to the Board for the desired innovation and that the appeal, or request, must be signed by the taxpayers wishing the change. She declared she was so interested that she, herself, would carry around the petition and secure the necessary signers. all this must be done, the boy was told, because to carry out his scheme, a new teacher – and a specially prepared teacher at that – must be employed by those managing the school affairs; and hey would like to know that the taxpayers were willing to go to the added expense.

“And that reminds me,” cried Aunt Mabel,” who could be hired for this particular job?”

“Don’t you know?” asked Kim, his big gray eyes sparkling with pleasure as he anticipated giving them a delightful surprise.

“I can’t think of anyone who could fill the bill,” confessed Aunt Mabel in a quandary.

“Kelly McCree! Kelly McCree!” shouted the boy in great delight. “hadn’t you thought of him? And he could teach the singing, too!”

“Why, of course,” admitted Uncle Pete, “he’s the very one! I would never have thought of him.”

“Neither would I, but Kim is right,” acknowledged Aunt Mabel. “Kelly is doing marvelous work on his violin. I think he is a wonder. Also, as Kim says, he has a splendid voice and since his course at the university he will be perfectly able to handle the music of the schools.”

It is easy to guess now that Kim’s plan was to organize a boys’ school band and a school orchestra. He also thought of a girls’ chorus because, to be sue, he would want something in which Pattie could take part; her sweet, clear soprano was already the pride of the school.

Aunt Mabel lost no time in presenting this whole matter before her friend, Mrs. Carson. “And you know, Mrs. Carson, if Wallie can get to play the piano in the orchestra it will give him a greater impetus to practice than he has ever had before,” she suggested zealously.

“Indeed, it will!” agreed Mrs. Carson with a broad smile. “I should like nothing better. I will help you carry the petition around to the taxpayers for their signatures; and I will do everything I can do to bring about this splendid advancement in our schools. It is too bad Kim was not there to hear her add with earnest conviction. “That nephew of yours certainly has a head on him worth having.”

Mrs. Sloane and Mrs. Carson had astonishing success with their petition. Everybody seemed to be pleased with the prospect of having band and orchestra music in the schools. Of course music had been taught in the different sections of the city by the best talent available but there had been no general supervisor.

When the proposition was brought before the Board of Education by the delegation of boys from the Webster School with Kim as spokesman, according to the first plan, the matter was received with high favor. In fact, nothing could have been simpler, so much was everybody taken by the idea; therefore to the delight of all concerned the innovation was decided upon then and there without a dissenting voice.

Almost the best thing about the whole affair to Kim was the keen pleasure it brought to the McCree family. Because of an accident which brought on a spell of ill health, Mr. McCree had been unable to work for his loved ones for a long time. For this reason the McCrees had experienced a period of rather difficult sailing. Yet they had suffered no harm. The brave little mother and the children had worked, co-operated, made sacrifices and managed very well. In fact, what they had lost in one way they had gained in another. Kelly never cold have applied himself so diligently except under this sharp necessity. Now, although Mr. McCree was greatly improved in health and was sure he would soon regain is normal strength, still he was unable for a while to assume the arduous task of bread winner. This position for Kelly, therefore, was a boon to the family for the time being. Pattie let it out to Kim, during one of their play periods at the sand pile, just how much it had affected them.

“Oh, Kim,” she confided innocently, “Kelly was so glad he was selected for the new music teacher that he couldn’t eat his supper. He danced Mama around the room as wild as could be and declared she should never work hard again, and he promised sister a new party dress and me some songs, an’, oh, everything.”

Some place in the life of the spirit outside of the conscious mind, Kim had sensed the difficulties of this family and he wanted so to help to repay in some small part the debt of gratitude he felt he owed to them. Now he smiled a smile of inward satisfaction; for a moment his eyes misted as he bent a loving, kindly look upon his charming little friend. Joy welled up in his heart though he never could have put into words the cause of his happiness. Kim made no reply to Pattie’s effusive words, nor reference to what was in his mind; instead he thought of something entirely foreign.

(To be continued)