The Bossier banner. [volume] (Bellevue, Bossier Parish, La.) 1859-1952, 1880-10-14
JOHNNY UPJOHN'S BROTHER.
A True Story.


JOHNNY UPJOHN'S BROTHER.
A True Story.
"Now, Johnny, do you really think
you can take care of little Dick all night,
ingm
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 go away again,
for I wouldn't wake up. What are you
smiling for, mother? To think you We
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
a bad cold, and we might wait till to-
morrow"
80, it must be something more than
that, or there wouldn't have been an
Immediately on the letter." said he.
decidedly.
eyes, yes, 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 houseP'
Yes; and Johnny, my son, you must
spend the evening in the kitchen; it
won't do to have 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 go to bed by
eight" said Mrs. Upjohn.
20 mother, mayn't sit up till nine?
l 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"
land are we going to sleep in the
downstairs roomP o goody!'' cried
Dick, crushing his mothers bonnet with
a 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 a squirrel to
watch 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
'em. And then I guess I'd better 90
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
behaver'
The new tone of authority rather
awed and surprised little Dick.
. Look here, Johnny, if / don't do
anything naughty will you let me work
your new steam engineer
Eyes"
boss withp'
"Yes.n
"Then I'll be orful good!n said
Master Dick, revolving in his wicked
little brain the chances of getting the
raisin box without been seen. Guess
could find the squinch preserves, too.
Mammals willin' / should have ,em
when l don't feel well. 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
IKE thing alive. Dicky, having eat
en- two suppers, finished off with raisins
ana preserves, was in a verv Quiet
mood, and threw himself on all tours
20 watch chow long the thing would
IN tell you what it is," said John
ny, with an air Of wisdom that was not
lost upon the listener, II know how
tins engine is put together as well as
Ia1ner does, and I'll bet you I could
make one, if only had the tools and
knew how to use 'em!'
Spose you could, honest?''
Les, to be sure. There, Dicky, the