Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1879-07-25
A BIT OF FUN AND HOW 1T SPREAD.

Willie Niinton stood on the back
steps waiting for breakfast to be ready
CHANGING through the open window O
the kitchen to see how Bridget was get
ting on, the mischievous thought came
into his head that it would be fun tc
shoot her with his pop-gun-which he
had in his hands-to see her jump.
Mother told me not to tease her,
he thought; "but it's only for fun, and
it won't do any HARM"
He turned the small weapon towards
the window, and taking careful aim, set
it off.
II hit Bridget on the side OF the face;
she started, split the hot lard in her
hands, partly over the range, where it
instantly blazed up, and the rest on the
floor whose whiteness was the delight
of her life.
Willie had his fun; he saw her jump,
and he thought that was the end of it,
but he did not know how one little act
will spread, as circles spread around a
stone thrown into still water.
His laugh told Bridget who she had
to thank for the mischief
"Ah, you bad boy!" she exclaimed
in rage, you're always in some trick,
bothering the life out of me, and MAX
ing more work for me. Look at my
white floor, will you THAT spent two
hours over, last night"
Willie did not hear; he had gone into
the house to tell Josie the joke he had
played upon Bridget.
To the quick-tempered cook, how
ever, it was no joke. She went on after
he had gone, muttering to herself
"I'll have no peace till he gets off to
school, and I'll hurry up them rolls, to
be sure. She uncovered q pan of
breakfast rolls which stood before the
fire to rise.
"They're not light yet" she said
Grossly, "but | don't care. | won't
wait for 'em," and she thrust them into
the hot oven with bang.
"Mary, these rolls are heavy again!"
greeted Mrs. Minton, rs her invalid
husband sat down to his breakfast,
How often have repeated that cam
not eat such heavy bread! 1t does seem
as if your cooks took pleasure ia im-
posing upon YOU
The faint color faded out OF Mrs.
Minton's already pale face, and a
troubled look spread over it, but she re-
piled gently:
Bridget was recommended as Il spe-
cially good breadmaker, and | can't
imagine why she failed"
"Well, | wish you would correct her
for this, and oversee the rolls in future"
was the answer from Mr.. Minton, who
generally a pleasant, well-bred gentle
man-was now out of health, and like
many others i'll similar condition,
thought it right to vent his bad feelings
in cross language.
Breakfast was spoiled for Mrs. Min
ton, and the usual cheerful meal was
taken in silence and constraint by the
whole family.
This was the second result of Willte's
"fun."
After the breakfast was over, Mr..
Minton went into the library to read
the papers before going to his office,
and there Josie found him, a half ho.r
later, when starting for school.
40, father" she said, shave you de-
cided about my joining the sketch class?
Il have to tell Miss Barlow to-day"
Now Josies greatest delight was in
drawing, and she had hailed with joy
the announcement that sketch class
would be formed in school, if enough
could be found to join, and had hurried
home to ask her father ifshe might put
down her name. The night before he
had talked it over with mother, and it
was about decided to allow her to do SO.
But, unfortunately, the heavy rolls still
troubled him, and darkened all his
world.
mo" he said shortly; don't bother
mel It's all fol.de-rol, you, learning to
SKETCH" and he turned again to his
paper.
The eager light went out of Josie's
bright eyes, and the smile died on her
lips. She had not dreamed of such a
reply, but she knew her father too well
to attempt to change him. Slowly, and
like one stunned by heavy misfor-
tune, she left the room, and the house,
tears rapidly chasing each other over
her cheeks, and deep pain in ler heart.
Third result OF Willie's "fun."
"Mother." said Willie himself, about
the time that Josie received her blow,
"Imay 90 to Brandon to-day, maynt II"
Eyes" said Mrs. Minton, i yonr
new clothes come home, az ! told you
yesterday"
They will, won't they?" he asked
anxiously, for this was a long-wished-
for treat.
Il hope so. Mrs. Brown promised,
and if Katie is no worse to-day have
no doubt she will do 50" was the reply,
As Willie seized his books and started
70 school,
Nine o'clock arrived, and Mr.. Minton
went TO business with the mornings
cloud still upon his face. Everything
was clean and bright in the Office, and