Little Falls transcript. [volume] (Little Falls, Morrison County, Minn.) 1876-1894, 1879-06-26
THAT BOY.

THAT BOY.
Short Story for Mothers.
One pleasant day in the early part Of
summer, Max Fennimore stood leaning
listlessly over the gate IN front Of bis
fathers house. But this llstless manner
suddenly changed to admiration, for, on
looking down the street, he saw Frank
Jones coming. Frank was holding fast
to a string, to the otter end Of which was
attached a beautiful kite. Max opened
the gate and ran to meet him.
"Oh, Frankl' he cried, 'splease let me
fly your kite awhilc?'
"Well," said Frank good-naturedly.
But hold fast to the string, for she pulls
like span of horses"
Max took hold Of the string carefully;
and as he watched the kite, floating
among the very clouds, and felt it tug
ging at tue string as if impatient with the
tie which held it to the earth, he was
filled with the utmost delight. He
thrust his disengaged hand into his
pocket, and drew forth a lead pencil,
gaily striped tin penholder, a chunk of
red chalk, the neck of broken bottle,
piece Of rubber, and a bit of colored
glass; all of which he offered in exchange
for the kite, but without success Finally
he drew forth a new pocket knife.
''See here, Frank!" said he. II will
give you this knife,if you will let me have
the kite.'
Frank was several years older than
Max. He bad no intention of taking an
unfair advantage of his enthusiastic young
friend.
"The kite is not worth near so much
as your knife,'' said hc s'Let me take
the string, and will bring the kite down.
| can show you in a few moments how to
make one for yourself"
Max vas delighted. He watched
Frank as he slowly wound up the string,
and when the kite gave final plunge to
the earth, he ran and got it, and brought
it to Frank uninjured. Then the boys
sat down on the sidewalk, while Frank
explained its construction.
''And now," said Frank, rising to go,
eff you have any trouble in balancing it,
bring it over to me, and I will fasten on
the string for you.'
Gail right!'' was the reply; and Max
ran back to the house, and procuring a
piece of pine board he entered the kitchen.
The room presented an appearance of per-
feet order and neatness; for Mrs. Fenni-
more: was a. model housekeeper, and
could not tolerate anything like dirt or
confusion. There was no one about the
house but himself, but he did not consid-
CT this an unfavorable circumstance He
set at " ork with zeal which soon coy
cred the floor with bits of wood and shay
ings. He soon had the frame made, and
neatly tackled together. He got a paper
with which, to- cover it, and then began a
desperate search for scissors He searched
through the family sitting room; over
turning his mothers work-basket, look
ing through the contents; and in his haste
leaving everything in disorder and confu-
sion after him. He at length succeeded
in finding a pair, but could find no muci-
lage to fasten on the cover with, 50, pro-
curing basin, he put in a quantity of
flour, and mixing it up with, water soon
had liberal supply Of paste.
Finally the kite was completed. T. He
set it upon the table, and looked at it
with an air of pride aud triumph. Max
was an ingenious boy; and it was a nice
piece of workmanship for lad of his
age. "Ain't it beauty, thought" be
exclaimed to himself. II do believe it is
a nicer kite than Frank's.''
He stepped backward to take better
look, and in doing so, stumbled over the
basin, and in overturning it, the contents
ran out Oh the floor Max looked about
him; he had been so absorbed in the con-
struction of his kite as to be entirely
oblivious tc the mischief he had been do
ing, g. ellie with dismay he ran for the
mop, and began desperate attempt to
wipe up the paste. But the harder he
worked the further the paste spread, en-
quilting bits of wood and paper. Max
was in despair. Just at that moment
the door opened. Mrs. Fennimore was
about to enter, but paused in the door
way; through the door ajar SIZE could
look into the other room, and her ,prac-
ticed eye took in the whole scene. ,...:
"Max Fennimore ~ It was only tie
boys name, but there was a significant
emphasis and intlextion in the tone in
which it was uttered. 80
Il didn't mean to make muss," began
Max in trePidation. But was so busy
didn't notice what was doing. Just
wait moment, mother, and will clean
1T all up And Max began hopping
again with desperation 3 Mrs. Fenni-
more fastened across the room, and
grasping Max by the shoulder, shook
bin free from the mop-bandle.
Max Fennimore !" she exclaimed
again. what. have you been sdoine2n I s
Making a kite" and Max glanced
ruefully at the beautiful specimen of his
skill that stood on the table. as if in fri
amph at having attained such: ccom1elyy : bro.
portions, amid such chaos and confusion.
II will teach you how to make kites =,
And Mrs. Fenninofe crossed the room room.
and Selling the fabric, crushed it in her
hands, and thrust it remorsely into the
stove. Then she turned her attention To
Max. Didn't tell you, before I left
home, she began, :. that 7 should expect
to find every thing just .asI left it y hen ]
returned? And now, look at these rooms
And this IS always the way. I never can
leave the houses for a. half hour, but wher
! return find it looking as if q hurricane
had passed through it. I declare, Max
you will worry the life out of me l'& a:.5
ri MAX was unmoved. It was not sc
much because he had grown used to this
expression, and stood in no fear Of his
mothers lmmed iate dissolution |; but with
the destruc ton Of the kite, his ,penitence
and ,remorse had suddenly vanished and
lie listened to his mothers words siIani
and sullen, and would make no promises
of better conduct in the future. Mrs
Fennimore became thoroughly provoked