54 TROTTY’S WEDDING TOUR.

“ Father ll think I am a fool,” said Jem. ‘ And I don’t
think I am, do you?”

The principal smiled and hesitated.

*T don’t feel like a fool,” continued Jem, candidly.

“ Not even when you’re told to write a composition?”
smiled the principal.

“No,” said Jem, boldly. “I don’t feel like a fool when
I’m asked to write a composition. I feel as if I were in
prison, and going to be hung.”

The principal shook her patient head, and only smiled the
more.

One day a learned lady called on the principal. She was
the editor of the Wednesday Evening Early Visitor, and a
very learned lady indeed.

“ What shall I do with that girl?” asked the principal.

“Turn her over to me,” said the learned lady.

“ You can’t get a composition out of her that is fit to be
read.”

“We ’ll see.”

‘But it’s impossible. Look these over and judge for
yourself.”

The principal threw down on the desk a package of poor
little Jem’s compositions, and the editor of the Wednesday
Evening Early Visitor pitilessly read them, every one.

This happened so long ago that I have only been able to
procure a few.

They ran like this : —