Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1874-07-02

pered Fred to his dry socks. mo ques-
tons nor grieved looks. Tell you, I'll
never do this again. No, sir,''
what shall l say?" asked mamma, as
she pushed down the clothes in the boiler
and returned.
- Oh! just what they always say
Please a-scuse Freddy, as he was neces-
sarily 'tained," said the young diplomat
Then 1t was necessary for you to go
to the water?" Queried his mother, doubt
fully
Freddy was chipping the dry mud from
his copper-toes He didn't reply.
And necessary to play on the raft?"
Tom Gray dared me, "interposed Fred,
dulIing his knife rather recklessly.
And necessary to stand in the cold
Wen, now, mamma, let's not talk
about that now. It's most ten o'clock.
Please be writin'."
What shall l write?"
Oh. you know" And the speaker
nervously twisted his shoe-string and put
1t through an eyelet
Mamma began writing, gravely. Fred
hopped on one foot to the table, anxious
" spelling out the words. He saw:
NO, no; excuse, excuse"
Down went the undressed foot Mat
tiers were growing serious.
His, his; own, own; fault,
fault"
oh, mamma! She'll punish me
she'll punish me! How can you! Oh!
don't you love me? Oh! mamma!
Yes, dear, love you. Isn't my note
true?s
well, but couldn't you just say-iust
say Well, couldn't you fix it some
how?" he sobbed.
This is the truth, dear, and the truth
cannot be improved by fixing. Mamma
can't tell a lie for you"
Il don't want you to tell a lie" Oh
no; the dear face of his mother was toe
pure for that. Fred only wanted a com
promise.
But don't you love me? Doyou wan
me to be punished?
4 love you too we'll to send you tC
your teacher with falsehood in youl
hand | cannot fix the note, Freddy, with
out making it untrue; but | would gladly
bear the pain of your punishment on my
own hand"
"Never!" exclaimed Fred, with I'M
wonted chivalry, kissing the hands thai
were finishing his toilet.
4 will walk back with you, dear" put.
| ting the neat Shaker bonnet over hel
strangely dewy eyes; land you will not
be as lonely then"
But you'll hear her whip me. She will
certainly do that if [ take this note," and
| the sobs began again.
"Then | shall know you are bearing the
pain rather than carry an untruth from
your mothers hand" said Mrs. White
l. I,
| the door.
| Going toward the sChOOl-rOOm strange
medley of thoughts passed through the
little boys mind. Mothers way was SC
strange, 50 irresistible. 1t made trouble
for him; yet it was right he knew. Bu
! that terrible ruler! His hand would
! tremble; but his mother babe him good
| bye at the gate, as though a punishment
was nothing.
GO in now, Freddy. Mamma can wal
for you to decide whether she is right o.
wrong. Goodbye"
Gray shouldn't see him cry. He waited
to kiss mamma. She looked so pale, anC
maybe her way was best. He looked bacl
from the entry. He would smile toward
her 1t would be too bad to let her q
home grieving and he remembered he
arms were so small and those stockings
were only two among many muddy ones
He had made her a great deal of trouble
this morning-Iittle mother!
He went into the schoOl-rOOm. MANN;
waited without for three, four, five min
utes. No sound of blow or cry. Six
seven minutes. All quiet within.
Then she drew long breath and wen
home.