Mower County transcript. [volume] (Lansing, Minn.) 1868-1915, 1871-10-05

NJ MDEh 20.
Youths Department.
THAT PHELAN BOY.
Taddy was naughty boy that day.
Not even grandma could make an excuse
tor him, though she dropped great many
stitches in the bright little stocking she
was knitting, and was seen to wipe her
spectacles over and over again, and all be-
cause she felt so badly about her naughty
Well, perhaps lad better tell you the
whole story.
Mrs. Ives that was Taddy's mothers
name, sat sewing in the parlor, and it was
such a fine day that the window was
thrown open to let in the sweet breath of
the apple blossoms in the orchard, and the
English violets that grew by the front
door. Grandma sat knitting in her easy
chair, and Rose was painting bunch of
trailing arbutus that looked so like the real
flowers it seemed az though you could
pick them up from their bed of soft green
MOSS 1t was so quiet in the room that
they all heard what Taddy said, and saw
what he did, though he neither heard nor
saw them. He was sitting on the grass
plot Just in front of the parlor window,
this little five-year. old Taddy, eating buns,
and singing to himself song that he had
caught from his college brother Tom, and
his mother, listening to the pleasant voice,
thought within her heart, My 1dddy u a
darling! when the gate opened, and Jim
my Pnelan came whistling up the walk,
with his old straw hat perched on the back
of his head. Jimmy was the fourth son
of Mike Phelan, who worked in gentle
mems gardens up and down street.
81 wish that boy wouldn't come here,
eaid Rose, glancing up from her painting.
as she heard the click Of the gate. II
shouldn't think you would allow it,
mother. Just hear Taddy call out,
'HaAloP He is getting SO rude that am
really ashamed Of him, and that Phelan
boy is horrid!"
"HullO |" said Jimmy, quite UNCONSCIOUS
Of the Young lsdy's criticism; and thrust
ing his hanos into his trousers pockets, he
stood facing Taddy and the open parlor
window. He was q wretched looking
little ragamuffln, there was no denying it,
but then you could not wonder if you
would only bear in mind that there were
eleven more at home as like him as the
peas in pod are liks each other, to b.
fed and clothed and the best that Mike
and his wife c'uld do. tue feeding and
clothing were of the poorest and scantiest
kind. INDEED l suppose there was seldom
day that Jimmy's stout little bread basket
was comfortably filed.
"What is it ye'rc eatin', Taddy9" asked
Jimmy, after the salutahcns.
"Buns," said Taddy, "with currants in
'em!"
"Gi' me bite,"
Taddy shook his curly head. "I tan't
They'd make you awful sickI'
"Ill risk it," said Jimmy, holding out a
vevy dirty hand. "Just one small little
bit, Taddys"
"No, sirr' answered Taddy, his mouth
crammed full. my mother puts ptzon in
her buns, an if you eat just teenty tinty
bit it'll make you sick SO you'se have to
have the doctor, and t,ke palegolic."
"That's a lle" said Jimmy, stoutly;
"Why don't they make you sick if they're
pizou?"
"Oh, tause-tause-tause I'm my moth.
er's boy, and what did you tome in
here for, Jimmy Phelans Nobody told
YOU to, an don't want you an I wish
you'd go off where you bl0ng"
II want something to eat" said Jimmy
Then go'an ask your mother, way as
do"
"She's off a washing, and there ain't
nothing in the cupboard, cause l looked,
and Jimmy sat down on the grass. "Just
le'me have one bite, Taddy."
"No, I shall not! My mother don't low
me to give buns to Paddies!"
Theodore Ives, you naughty boy, come
into the house this minuteV cried Rose
putting her head out of the window.
"No, 1 sha'n't," answered Taddy, com
posedly.
"Then will come and fetch you" said
Rose.
"You tan't do il" rejoined Taddy, plant.
ing his heels in the grass, and throwing q
defiant look over his shoulder.
"Just one mite of piece" coaxed
Jimmy, in whisper; "there's such a
splendid currant"
~ won't do it," said Taddy, very rcd in
the face, Ind If you don't 60 off PHIL
I'll double up my fist to you, I will, just
like that !" and I am ashamed to say that
he hit Jimmy blow on the side of his
head that knocked off his old straw hat.
Taddy, want you'll"
It was Mrs. Ives that spoke this time,
sorrowfully enough you may be sure, and
the little boy, hastily swallowing the last
remaining bit of his last bun, got up re.
luctantly.
What'n she do to yer" asked Jimmy
under his breath.
Taddy shook his head.
lis it because you boxed my ears dye
s'posef"
"Yes, and 1 guess-I guess she heard
me say pizon and Paddy"
"That's nothing"
Eyes, it is; my mother don't low me
to say wrong stories and call Names"
Taddy came into the parlor hanging his
head so low that the curls fell over hle
face like yellow veil Rose looked al
him and said, severely:
"If you were my boy, I would punish
you with q stick, Taddy Ivesi"
Mamma did not speak, but held out hel
hand to her naughty boy. Grandma al
! mot always had an excuse ready for his
lit le misdemeanors, but looking askance
| through the veil of curls, Taddy saw hel
kind face quite turned away from him, and
not single word did she speak in his de-
fcnse.
"Rose, tell Jimmy Phelan to go to the
kitchen. door, and ask Jane for some din
ner" said Mrs. Ives.
Then she took white handkerchief out
of her pocke', and put it over Taddy's
mouth-that naughty mouth that had told
| lies and called names. Teddy stood quite
still while she tied the corners, but his
! h art beat very loud and fast, and tears
| gathered IN his blue eyes. He had never
been punished like this before. and il
seemed the worst punishment in the world
After the knot was tied, Mr.. Ives pointed
to Tadty's naughty corner" and thithel
! the little culprit went, and sat down on q
! cricket, with his face to the wall
"That Phelan boy won't 60 for his din.
ncr, mother: he says he wants to come in
and speak to you"
Before the words were out of her mouth
Jimmy Phelan had pushed past Rose, and
thrust his uncombed red head in at the
parlor door.
1t was grand room compared with the
old, smoky kitchen where the tribe of
Ptelan cooked, ate and sept Jimmy had
seldom seen grander, but that was moth
ing so long as povr Taddy sat sobbing in
corner OF it.
"lf you plaze, num-" he suffered, "if
you Place"
"What is it, my boy,"
If you p'aze, mum, Ia wish that ye