Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1874-12-31
D0NNY.

"THE idea of it." said grandpa, laugh
ing. so very inconvenient," protested
grandma.
THAT many in family is uncommon,
men," added Nurse Pippin.
" Nobody ever heard of such thing"
pouted Auntie Meg.
They were talking about naming the
baby; and if there has ever been a baby
at Your house to name you know how
much talking that takes. But when all
the other people had spoken, the baby's
mamma repeated what she had first
said.
"He is to be John Boyd, Jr."
" But that is so commonplace" sighed
Auntie Meg, who wanted the name to be
Lionel Frederick.
Your argument is not as good as
grandma's 1t might be announcement"
said baby's mamma.
For you must know that in this family
there were already three Johns living un-
der the same roof; John Boyd, ST., who
was baby's papa, John Harlow, who was
baby's uncle, and little John Hathaway,
who was seven years old and baby's half
brother. So it did seem rather droll to
add fourth, and you cannot wonder
that Auntie Meg brought in the diction-
airy and read aloud all the names in the
last part, in the hope of softening her
sisters resolution. However, diction-
aries are of no use when a woman's mind
is made up, and baby was christened
John Boyd. And the name did not prove
so inconvenient after all, for by the time
grandma began to say,
" We must leave off calling that child
Baby"
Baby had made name for himself,
and was accustomed to describe himself
as don Boyd, Dunior," so presently
everybody fell into Baby's habit and
called the little fellow Don or Donny.
When he had grown so much as to
wear button boots and a sailor suit Don
ny was a square, sturdy urchin, with
brown hair cropped close, brown eyes,
brown little fists, and snub nose
freckled across, the bridge. The freckles
were almost as great trial to Auntie
Meg as his name, but Denny cared not a
penny for them, and frisked out IN all
weathers regardless Of consequences.
One day Denny was sent Of an errand.
And don't care much about going,
neither" he said confdentially to his
mamma. Il feel as if l could get in
tantrum just as easym
Il wouldn't to-day" said mamma,
kissing his brown cheek. "Here are
five cents to spend for yourself, and
after you have carried the note you may
go and slide on the Common for half an
hour"
In spite of this encouragement Denny
took the note rather gloomily.
JOHNNIE don't go of errands. Wish I
was big and studied Latin. Wish had
a sealskin cap, too"
With this remark Denny wound him
self up in long, gay-colored scarf which
Auntie Meg had knit for him, pulled his
cap over his forehead, and put the five
cents in his oVerCoat pocket, then ran
for his sled and departed.
He had delivered the note and was
trudging toward the Common when a
chestnut stand with its little furnace at
tracted him.
Five cents worth and I want some
all hotted up and cracked OPEN" said
Denny.
Turning away with the paper bag of
warmth in his hands Denny jostled
against a boy very nearly his own size,
who held a long basket on his arm.
Buy some peanuts, won't you? or
candy stick!' said the boy, wistfully.
Haven't any more money, 1 don't sup
pose" answered Denny, fishing yainly in
his pockets. 81 like peanuts"
q haven't sold hardly pint this af-
ternoon," said the boy, sadly. Folks
don't buy 'em SO well when it's cold"
Denny looked at the thin jacket and
torn hat, the bare red hands and pinched
lips, and shivered little with sympathy
'''Course I didn't mean to fret s if rs
beggar boy. only wanted sealskin
cap cause Johnny has one, and l wasn't
ungrateful, neither" said Denny to him
self, answering little twinge of con-
science hastily. Then aloud he said:
60 I'm going up to slide, and if meet
papa I'll ask him for five cents and buy
some. I'm sorry"
So Denny trudged away and was soon
sliding merrily among the little throng
Of boys on the long slope. Coming down
with shout and whirr he saw his small
acquaintance with the basket watching
him from the sidewalk.
Il didn't find him" said Denny, stop
ping to speak. Haven't you sold any
more?"
No" said the boy.
You don't boiler out and ask folks
loud enough, maybe" suggested Donny
Don't you want to slide down once with
me2n