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Page 33 text:
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Stories The Shirker’s Dream The long, sultry days in the latter part of May moved lazily by. Every morning it seemed more difficult for me to go into geometry class, as my lesson was never prepared. Every class m the day was the same, for school and study was a punishment instead of a pleasure to me. The nights were pleasant though, for I spent the greater part of them in studying, or at least my mother thought 1 was. but in reality I was reading stories and books which would have been destroyed if my mother had known I was reading such literature. One night 1 went to my room and I was afraid to go because my mind was so disturbed by the memory of the book I had just finished reading. It was “The Mystery of the Haunted Glen.” I sat down beside the open window, afraid to look to the right or left. I heard a strange fluttering like that of a wild bird trying to free itself from a cage. I was too frightened to turn and account for this strange sound. But it was not necessary for me to turn for two radiant beings stood before me. I was terrified, for I didn’t know what this could mean. They couldn't he ghosts which I called into being by reading wierd stories, for ghosts would not be so beautiful and angels would not visit one who practiced deceit as 1 had. The mystery of their identity soon cleared, for one spoke. She had a strange silvery voice, but somehow it had a harsh sound when she addressed me. She said. “I am the Spirit of Achievement, and this,'’ pointing to the other being, “is my sister, who is tin Spirit of Perseverance.” The Spirit of Achievement was tall and fair. She had an abundance of golden curly hair and large, blue eyes. ! never had seen anything nearly so beautiful and I probably never would again. I hoped I never would at the time. The Spirit of Perseverance was beautiful, too. but she looked nothing like her sister. She had straight black hair and beautiful brown eyes. Her hair was combed straight back and she looked very studious. I always imagined that if Perseverance were personified that she surely would be an old maid. She did not look the least bit like one. i I was trembling with fright when Perseverance laid her hand gently on my shoulder and said, “ Do not fear ns; we are your friends, although you have treated us terribly.” This didn’t comfort me much for I felt they had come to give me a punishment which I no doubt needed but was afraid to receive. Achievement spoke again and this time her voice was wonderful, for the harsh sound had vanished. Sin said. “No. there is no need to fear us. tor we are your friends, as my sister said. We have come to show you the advancement of the school world which you and others like you are holding back by shirking your studies. I gathered my courage and scattered wits and said, “Well. I don't see why not studying holds the advancement of education back, for it surely can advance without me.” Neither Spirit answered, but Perseverance took my right hand and Achievement my left, and they carried me through the air to a strange country, which they called “The Land of Days to Come, and took me to school. Before we entered, Achievement said, “Now we aren’t going to hurt you. but remember we are invisible and we must speak very low when we do speak. 1 promised to remember and we entered a very strange building.
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Page 34 text:
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Il was somethin}!: like the fresh air schools of today, but it was built especially for the purpose. The pupils were all dressed alike in tan. One thinjr I noticed especially was the arrangement of the seats. They were arranged in semi-circles and the pupils were discussing their lessons together. The Spirit of Achievement told me they were studying, or I would have thought it was a free period. ‘ Notice especially,” one Spirit whispered, “that no slang is heard. This is because they read the right kind of books and indulge in good clean sports.” 1 felt rather guilty, for I knew 1 picked up a new slang expression almost every book I read and was anxious to learn to use it. When the Spirits and I left this part of the school, we went to a larger building. This was wonderful and far more beautiful than any building I had ever seen. It was of pure white stone, and marble steps led up to the different entrances. The upper stories were entered by means of marble steps on the outside, so that the lower rooms were not disturbed when other classes came in. “ 1 his. said Perseverance, “is where all the reciting is done and all the rooms are equipped for the study taught there.” We entered this building and the first thing I noticed was a glass door upon which was printed, “Doctor and Dentist. on must he mistaken, this isn’t a school.” I said. “Oh. yes it is,” the Spirit of Achievement said; “this is one of my plans, having the doctor and the dentist part of the school. They take care of the children’s health from the time they enter school until they graduate. “ Is this the reason why everyone here is so healthy looking .’ 1 asked. “Surely it is,” answered Perseverance; “of course, we couldn’t suggest this for schools of your time, for it would be useless. Too many are interested in minor things instead of their health.” We floated on and Achievement said, “The airships are gone south for a few days with a class studying cotton, rice and tobacco. They will see all stages of growth, harvesting and manufacture till these products are as we use them, and then they will come back and write about what they saw. This surprised me greatly, hut I was afraid to ask any fpiestions, tor sometimes these Spirits are very severe. “You haven’t heard any of my plans for advancement, have you? I erse-veranee asked. “Well, this is one which I think is fine. We have no long vacations in which to forget what we have learned, but one week every ten continually.” “Do the pupils like this plan ?” T asked, expecting her to say they did not. “Surely they do.” said Achievement, “for they are industrious, not lazy. Suddenly the Spirits turned and we floated out of the schoolhouse and started to float higher and higher. I became frightened and screamed. The Spirits dropped mv hands and I started to fall. Down, down down I went, slowly at first, but faster as 1 neared Earth. 1 screamed continually.
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