Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1874-12-03
WEARING FATHERS BOOTS.
BY NJ. c. BARTLETT,

JIMMIE RYAN was mad" with Will
Baker because Will had told John Han
natord's sister that his (Jimmie's) father
had boiled sculpins for dinner every day
He had made up his mind never to speak
Ia VIII again as long as he lived. Boiled
sculpins, indeed!
But upon the very next morning he al
most forgot his anger in his tribulation.
He rose early and dressed himself with
his usual quickness until he came to his
feet.
" Where's my boots, mother?'
"Jack took 'em to Peterses. They're
wantin' mendin'."
Poor little Jimmie! He had only one
pair of boots in the wide world
"Whatll | wear, mother?"
" Here's pair of your fathers IL do
the day"
Jimmie looked at the large, stout boots.
His face flushed. His feelings were too
deep for utterance.
Come, don't be loiterin'."
Jimmie didn't say a word. He couldn't
though he tried very hard; but he cried
SO pitifully that his mother felt sorry for
him.
"Come, now, be a man"
All! if he only were. The boots would
fit him then.
It's only for the day, boy. Jacky'n
get the others the night"
Only for the day. Very true. But
what world of suffering was to be
crowded in that one day He seemed to
see himself as he shuff1ed into school,
his tiny feet almost lost in their huge
coverings. He seemed to hear the ieers
and jaunts of his remorseless school-fel-
lows. The teacher wouldn't laugh if she
could help it; he was quite sure of that.
But he didn't believe she could help it,
he would look so funny
And then he thought of Will Baker
Oh, he couldn't, couldn't bear it. Stay
ing at home had hitherto been a great
trial, for Jimmie was very ambitious,
but staying at home seemed to be the
one thing desired now.
g / feel sick" said he, family.
1t was hardly falsehood. His cheeks
were red and pale by turns, and his eyes
were full of tears.
His mother laughed. She was not
hard-hearted woman, but she had no
conception of the small agonies which
Jimmie was suffering
" Sick, is it? Will get the oily"
Jimmie nodded. The oil was nauseous
and unpalatable, but he would take it
without murmur now.
"Oh, musha, now! Well have no such
works. Put on them boots quick, an be
off wild yer"
Jimmie knew it was useless to resist.
He drew on the obnoxious boots and
stumbled downstairs. He had very lit
tie time for breakfast, but it was just as
we'll, for he had no appetite. He waited
till he heard the second bell ring Ohe
school-house was very near), and then
walked slowly out into the street and
looked about him.
VIII Baker was coming leisurely along
with one Of his companions Jimmie
turned quickly and took refuge in door
way near by, hardly daring to breathe
until they passed.
Then he crept silently back to his own
house. He climbed up a flight of rickety
steps, listening attentively all the while,
and soon found himself in an old attic
which contained nothing but rough.
implanted wooden box. Upon this box
he seated himself, his little heart throb-
bling fercely. He was doing wrong. He
knew that very well, but he couldn't
help it.
Meanwhile the teacher was very much
surprised at his absence, for he was gen.
orally one of the first to greet her when
she came. After a few inquiries which
no one could answer satisfactorily she
dispatched a boy to learn the cause of
his non appearance.
And so Jimmie's mother heard that he
had disobeyed her, and was filled with
righteous indignation. Armed with q
stout switch she started in search of him
but was unsuccessful for a time. At
last she thought Of the old attic, and as
the wretched little boy heard her foot
steps on the stairs he felt that it was all
over with him.
Something in his face, however, moved
her to pity. She put the switch behind
her that he might not see it. She spoke
kindly, even sympathetically, to him, but
he must go to school,
She took him by the hand and led him
downstairs. She would have gone with