The Redwood gazette. [volume] (Redwood Falls, Minn.) 1873-1940, 1880-09-23
JOHNNY UPJOHN'S BROTHER.
A True Story.

"Poh! Yes'm. l guess I'm ten years
old! And Dicky don't eat much but
bread and milk"
"But are you sure you won't be afraid
to be LETT in the house all alone, you two
little boys? What if somebody should
come and knock?''
"Why, then they could 90 away again,
for l wouldn't wake up. What are you
smiling for, mother? To think you've
got a boy that's smart enough to keep
house?'
"Well, yes, it makes me very happy
to see my Johnny so ready to please his
father and MOTHER
Then she hesitated moment, turned
to her husband, and said:
eff we only knew just how sick Aunt
Eunice is! Perhaps, after all, it is only
bad cold, and we might wait till to-
morrow"
go, it must be something more than
that, or there wouldn't have been an
Immediately on the letter." said he,
decidedly.
Eyes, yes, l suppose you're right"
said Mrs. Upjohn; and her face grew
pale as she put on her bonnet before the
glass. "Then the sooner we start the
better. Have you charged Johnny
about locking up the house?''
"Yes; and Johnny, my son, you must
spend the evening in the kitchen; it
won't do to have q fire in the sitting
room, and don't put stick of wood in
the stove after seven o'clock. Can you
remember?''
Eyes, sir"
"You'd better both 60 to bed by
eight" said Mrs. Upjohn.
40 mother, mayn't sit up till nine?
I want to copy off my compensation"
"Well, yes, If Dicky is willing, and
it isn't too cold in the kitchen. There,
fathers gone now to harness. You
will find your supper of baked apples
and milk covered over on the table; and
something nice besides, I won't say
what"
"And are we going to sleep in the
downstairs room? 0 goody!'' cried
Dick, crushing his mothers bonnet with
parting hug.
"Good-by till tomorrow, my pre-
cious children. Johnny, don't forget
what father said about the fires"
1t wasn't likely Johnny would for
get. He was one of those slow-brain-
ed. faithful little fellows; much at home
with everything but books. If it had
been Dicky now, even at Johns age!
"Why, we never could leave Dicky
in charge of anything" said his father;
"you might as well set squirrel to
watch a weasel"
To be sure, the child was only five
years old.
He began to call for his supper the
moment the buggy drove off, though it
was not four O'clock.
"'Cause there's seed cakes. saw
'en. And then guess I'd better 60
see Jimmy Fisher; he's s'pecting me-"
"Dicky Upjohn, you stop talking"
said John, firmly. you're not going
farther than the Oil-nut tree this day;
and shan't let you do that if you don't
behave!''
The new tone of authority rather
awed and surprised little Dick.
LOOK here, Johnny. if I don't do
anything naughty will you let me work
your new steam engineer
eyes"
"And gi' me lots o string to play
boss withp''
eyes"
':Then I'll be orful good!" said
Master Dick, revolving in his wicked
little brain the chances of getting the
raisin box without been seen. "Guess
I could find the squinch preserves, too.
Mammals willin' l should have 'em
when don't feel we'll, and I've most
got the earache.''
At precisely seven o'clock Johnny
put large stick of wood in the kitchen
stove, and as his little brother had been
very obedient, he lighted the alcohol
lamp in his steam engine, and set the
pretty machine putting across the floor
like a thing alive. Dicky, having eat
en- two suppers, finished off with raisins
and preserves, was in q very quiet
mood, and threw himself on all tours
to watch show long the thing would
rum"
"Pll tell you what it u.s." said john
ny, with an air of wisdom that was not
lost upon the listener, 81 know how
this engine is put together as well as
father does, and I'll bet you I could
make one, if I only had the tools and
knew how to use 'em!'
"S'pose you could, honestp"
"Yes, to be sure. There, Dicky, the
clock is~striking eight. Now you will
have to go to bed. F."
Dicky's forehead began to pucker,
and his elbows to jerk.
Then you must 60, too, Johnny Up
john"
30, but I want to fix my compost
ton, so 1 can play Saturday. Come,
now, if you'll go to bed first, I'll give
you all my fire crackers.
Dicky's brow smOothed.
"And the pin-wheels. toop Fire
crackers amt much"
Eyes, and the pin-wheels, too; only
you'll have to 60 as quick as scat or
I'll take it all back
Dicky went; but as for lying still,
that wasn't in the bargain. "Water!
water!'' called he. when fairly settled
down. II shall dry to death,
johnny"
Johnny had seated himself at his
work, and copied of IA startling letters
about three lines.
"Apples il the most trout always yoused.
Apples is said to grow In almost eny country"
His arm ached already.
There" said he, carrying Dicky .
mug of water. And you just lie still,
sir. If you speak again it will cost you
a pin-wheel."
Then he went on with great labor:
"In some climates it is SO warm, Il IL seid