Knoxville journal. [volume] (Knoxville, Iowa) 1874-1986, 1875-06-24
TOMMY'S TREATMENT.

Mamma, want some jam"
"No, Tommy, not this morning. Eat
your bread and milk" Mrs. Harris
spoke decidedly.
"Yes," whined Tommy, with most
unbecoming pout on his red lips, and a
rebellious fire in his eyes. Can't l,
papa?'
I" You heard what your mother said,
my son." said his father, slowly stirring
his coffee.
al will have some jamr screamed
Tommy, defantly, land / won't eat that
nasty old bread and milk; so, theren'
Tommy said his father, sternly,
reaching toward the bell
Crash! The china bowl lay in pieces
on the floor, and Tommy's bread and
milk streaming over the carpet. In
a moment the servant had borne him,
kicking and screaming, from the room.
Mrs. Harris looked at her husband de-
spairingly.
"Where did that child get his tenn
peru
mot from you, my dear, am sure,
and | can't remember that i ever had
such tantrums. l should have been
soundly horse-whipped if such had been
the Tease, and serve me right Something
must be done with the boy. He gets
worse and worse" and Mr.. Harris
pushed his chair back impatiently and
left the table.
All this time Uncle Charlie had not
spoken. Now he said: "Give Tommy
UP to me today and I'll warrant a cure. F"
Mrs. Harris looked incredulous.
you'll have nothing to do with him, ]"
said Uncle Charlie again; "lll under
take his management" and he laughed
heartily.
"Very WELL" replied his sister. "i've
been wanting to go over to mothers for
a day"
"Now's your chance; only don't let
Tommy know you're going"
And so it happened that when, an hour
afterward, Tommy came sullenly down
stairs, mamma wasn't to be found.
Mammal he shouted, stamping his
foot in rage, "where be your" but OF
course there was no answer
Then he rushed to the library and
slammed the door open savagely. Uncle
Charlie was there reading the morning
paper. He didn't look up when Tommy
burst in so unceremoniously, which fact
rather surprised the young gentleman,
who had always been accustomed to
carry things by storm.
"Where's mammal" he demanded,
fercely, looking as young savage
minus his war-paint might be sup
posed to.
No answer. Uncle Charlie looked up
as if surprised.
"Where's my mamma, say" yelled
Tommy again, the veins in his throat
standing out like great whip-cords. an
strike you if you don't tell"
Jrpc1a (ibarlipta Look M surnrigp changed
to one of pity, Tommy fancied. He soft
ened his voice little.
won't you tell me where mammais?"
"Oh, is il you, Tommy? | wasn't
sure. Your mother has gone over to
grandma's."
Tommy's black eyes flashed, and his
fists doubled themselves up tightly
ominous signs with him.
"Gone tograndma's 'ithout me? Why
didn't she let me go? What? what? Oh
DOOR and over Tommy went, flat on his
back, and his copper.toed boots began
to fly against the door, the wall-wher-
ever they happened to hit.
Uncle Charlie calmly laid down his
paper, pulled the bell-rope, put on pair
of thick buckskin gloves, and walked
toward Tommy, looking at him queerly.
Just then the servant made his appear
ance
go for Dr. Merriman as quick as pos
sible, John; | fear poor Tommy has a
maniacal attack"
Poor Tommy" stopped kicking and
screaming long enough to wonder what
sort OF thing "maniacal attack" was.
Something very bad, he had no doubt.
Uncle Charlie was watching him anx.
iously, and Tommy began 10 feel little
uneasy.
So they remained, Tommy kicking with
all his might-and 1t wasn't a small
might, / assure you-and Uncle Charles
eyes fixed gravely and steadily upon
him, until DR.. Merriman came.
He was queer little man, with a
round, jolly face, and keen sense of
humor. Tommy was great favorite of
his. "a fine boy, fine boy" he was
wont to remark, if 'twern't for those
tautrums" He took in the situation at
glance.
"Ohl see, seer' he said, rubbing
his hands together briskly. "A clear
case of temporary alteration. Poor little
fellows madness hereditary in your