The Toledo chronicle. [volume] (Toledo, Tama County, Iowa) 1873-1924, 1877-08-23
EBBIE.
't EREN. N.EZER ~

Ebbie stopped beating the tin-pan which
served him for drum, and listened half
sulkily to what mamma was saying.
I" can-nOt-stand such racketr' said
memma, emphatically. "You make me
as nervous as a witch"
Poor mammal! She had been UP half
the night with baby Johnnie, who was the
crossest baby that ever cut fronttooth
And poor Edible! This world is adread-
fully hard place fof healthy boys with
love for a " racket"
Can't you find something to do that
will be little quieter, dear ~ said man.
ma, in a gentler tune.
~ dess so," responded Ebbie, unhar-
Messing the chairs, and putting back in
the wood box the long sticks which he
had stood up on end to form a regiment.
"But p'raps l better 60 out doors. There's
lots of room to holler out there"
"Well," said mamma, laughing, 81
suppose hollering' is necessary to your
happiness-yes."
Ebbie went out and sat on the front door,
steps to watch the "ca'witches."
why, it's 'camp-meetin' dayr"
thought Ebbie. noticing the long line of
carriages which, in that out-of- the way
place, meant either circus or camp
meeting. tDess mamma fordOt bout
that. Ullo,' (aloud to q young man who
had stopped at the foot of the hill to rest
his horse momenD, should like a ride
wiv you"
The young man, who had frank, pleas
ant face, smiled at this fearless address.
"Would your" he said. "Well, you
can ride piece, if you like; ask your
folks in there" nodding toward the open
door,
"Yes, can CO." said Ebbie, returning
in minute. I" It's all right" he added,
confidently He did not think it neces-
sary TO say that, not being able TO find his
mother, he had taken the permission for
pranHS What's your name, DuuT' inquired
the young man, as Edible snuggled down
beside him.
"Ebbie, when Tin good. But some
times they say Ebby neezerr That's a
nawful name; but papa says III grow 10
it. What's yours ?"
Lamartine."
"That's lovely. never saw anybody
named Lemon teen."
Hadn't you better get out now." I,
"Wsit till we get to thattree first, " said
Edible.
" Moo III put yOu uoWu.
"Just ten steps more," pleaded Edible !
"tenty -leven."
How Edible could coax. And the man
was one of the coaxable kind, and didn't
know how to refuse such cunning little
fellow. But he ought to have known bet
ter.
!" See here, little youngster, d'you s'pose
your folks would be frightened if | should
keep you out an hour OF so? I'm Just
going up to the camp ground after LADY,
and then right home again
"No, indeed!" said Ebbie, earnestly.
"She'd be glad. When I'm at home !
keep facketing."
"All righti' said the young man, conf
pleting Ebbie's bliss by giving him the
whip, which he failed not to crack at least
once minute for the rest Of the journey.
Amt it pretty," said Edible, as they
walked up the wide avenue lined with
pretty, fanciful cottages and cool, picnic
like tents.
"Come, sit down here till the sermon is
over,n said his new friend. "Then we'll
find the lady,"
And Edible, nothing 10th, was set down
On the hard bench to listen and look about
him.
A little girl with long yellow curls sal
directly in front of him. She kept turn
| ing around to look at Ebble's black eyes
Edible, unlike some distinguished people,
didn't enjoy being stared at.
Suddenly the young man saw the little
girl whirl about hastily, looking very
much surprised and disguised.
"What did you do 10 her ?" he asked.
"'Ticked pin in herl'' said Ebbie, il