Part 17 (2/2)

Dr Sas as good as his word, for when Theo returned to school the following day he found that in addition to his other work he was expected to spend an hour eachin the carpenter's shop, a realm tohich he had alwaysto learn to saw and drive nails! What was the use of taking lessons? When a board was to be cut as there to do but take the saw and cut it? It was easy enough As for driving nails--that feat required no teaching

But to Theo's amazement it needed only the first lesson to demonstrate to hi It was one thing to cut a board haphazard; but quite another matter to cut it evenly, and on a ruled line Nor was the driving of nails as simple as he had supposed At the end of the first hour Theo, feeling very aard and cluet out of the path of the hammer, left the workshop

”I never drea knuckle with chagrin

The lesson of the following day did not provespirit

”I a to learn to saw and drive nails properly if it takes me the rest of my life!” he declared resolutely ”The very idea! Why, some of those little chaps in the sloyd room can chisel and plane like carpenters I'll bet I can do it, too, if I stick at it”

Therefore it ca tennis and basket-ball as he had expected, Theo became completely absorbed in his new interest--so absorbed that his father soon began to fear that his studies would suffer Early and late Theo was at his bench with his tools He tried faithfully not to slight his books, but there was no use pretending he did not enjoy his carpentry He was s which he was to stain with orange shellac and give to his mother Already he had finished a square tray and a handkerchief box When the stool was co for a ed yet hesitated to venture upon--a wooden bookrack for Mr Croyden

It was to be made from oak, not from the ordinary pine wood on which, up to this ti; and it was to be ahe had undertaken He had delayed beginning it until the closing part of the terht have the benefit of every atoet before he made the first cuts in the wood As he now fraift he smiled to think how io

”Dad was right!” he affir any other part of your body The longer and et Sloyd is no different fro, or football, or tennis”

With the help of his instructor he drew his design, measured his pattern, and sent for the wood

Then, iin work, he waited

Mr Croyden's birthday he had learned came the last part of June, and as on that date school ended he had only a short time to make his present Not only ether but there was all the finishi+ng, glueing, and varnishi+ng In addition an interval was also necessary for drying Therefore it was imperative that he set about his task as soon as possible

Yet day after day went by and the wood did not come

Theo was almost beside hiry, then discouraged

It was not until he had about given up hope of being able to complete the rack that the wood arrived The pieces were beautifully grained, and when Theo beheld them he could in his mind's eye see the bookshelves shaped, sift if he toiled nights as well as days! It is doubtful if ever a boy worked as hard or as anxiously as did Theo during the next teeks And as his creation took form how happy he was! He cut the three shelves, shaped the ends of the rack, and under his teacher's direction carved on a jig-saw the simple ornament which was to decorate the top Never in his whole life had he enjoyedso much Then came the day when the final coat of oil was applied and there was nothing more to do but wait until it dried But the work had required more time than Theo had anticipated, and therefore it was not until the very afternoon before Mr Croyden's birthday that the shelves were dry enough to be packed Dr Swift's et Theo, and the boy himself proudly carried hisin he called to the chauffeur to drive ho at his own abode Theo leaped up the brown stone steps with quick stride and rang the bell; then as he stood waiting for the door to be opened a sudden recollection overwhelerness to display his handiwork to his parents he had entirely forgotten his crutches! They were at school, and he now re

His father laughed heartily when Theo told hiuess that means you can do without crutches from now on, son,” the Doctor said

”Does it o to the Croydens', Dad?”

”I should say so,” was the ready response ”I will call Mr Croyden up on the telephone and find out when he wants you to coo to Trenton and carry your bookrack with you!”

It subsequently proved that there was more truth than fiction in this jest, for in answer to Dr Swift's inquiry Mr Croyden announced that he happened to be co into New York that very day in his car, and if the Swifts illing he would carry Theo back with hi!” exclaiht ”We can do the shelves all up so he won't guess what they are, and I can take the Then they will be safe at Mr Croyden's house and I shall not run the risk of the express late You know express ly the shelves were packed with greatest care in many soft papers so they would not be scratched, and afterward they rapped in a stouter outside covering When the parcel was tied up no one would have suspected as inside, and Theo viewed the mysterious bundle with satisfaction

”Mr Croyden will think that for a se,” chuckled the Doctor

”Maybe he won't have room to take it,” Mrs Swift rejoined