Becky's Illness

Chapter One

   One dark and stormy morning, young Becky Thatcher was walking to school. As she was walking to school, she realized that she forgot her umbrella. "Just lovely..." she thought, "Half a mile walked, and I forgot my umbrella. What else could happen? How would things be worse than this?" She decided to walk to school in the rain; without her umbrella.

     As Becky walked down the muddy path, she was alone. She usually walked to school with Tom Sawyer, but he was already at school. As it continued to rain, the storm became more intense. The rain felt cold against her skin, her wet dress clung to her legs, and her long brown hair became stringy, and her bangs plastered to her forehead. About ten minutes later she entered the school house.

    Mr. Dobbins was teaching the other children a geography lesson. "Today we are studying about the Mississippi River. The Mississippi River is one of the many great rivers here in the United States. It runs along with the Illinois River and the Missouri River. It flows into..." As soon as he looked up at the class, he glanced at Becky. "Why are you late Rebecca Thatcher?" Becky did not look or feel well.

    " I can explain Mr. Dobbins; you see, it is raining out yonder. As I was on my way here, I forgot my parasol. And I made the decision to walk the rest of the way with out it, so I would not be any later than I am presently..." She felt a tickle in her nose, and she rushed to Tom, who handed her a hankerchief. Becky nodded to say thank you, and then, "aaaah... Aaaaah.... AAAAAHHH CHOO!" Poor Becky sneezed right into Tom's hankerchief. 

   Mr. Dobbins walked up to her, and placed his large hand onto Becky's forehead. It was hot with fever. "Is there a way we can contact your parents Rebecca?" Becky shrugged. "My mama is at the dress shop, and Papa is at the court house, and both are very busy."  "I'll go and fetch the Judge!" said the very brave Tom. The school master nodded and excused the boy to go to the court house. Tom ran as fast and swift as the wind through the local, public roads, and accidently ran into his partner in crime, Huckleberry Finn. "Sorry Huck... can't stop! I gotta get to Judge Thatcher!" "Why? What's wrong, Tom?" "Becky is ill, and she needs to go home!"