The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1881-03-19
A FATHERS MISTAKE.

A FATHERS MISTAKE.
"WHo threw that snowflake" de
manded Mr.. Gunther, stepping from hi
door an instant after the missile wen
crashing through thirty-six by twent,
inch glass in the bay window.
"Johnnie Parks" answered Bill Blase
in rough voice.
Mr.. Gunther scanned the group o
boys a moment silently. They ex
changed glances in terror.
aft is Johnnie Parks, l say; the kid.
ran home," said Bill, stepping forward
boldly.
"Now you've done it," said Sammy
Sloan; "Gunther is going straight tc
Parks, and Johnnie will catch it,
"The governor will plank down the
stamps; he's able to. It's good joke
and a nice slide for you, heyP" and Bill
Blase chucked Clark Gunther under the
chin and the ribs. Clark was silent, and
very white.
"Pshaw! now don't be goose, nor 8
ghost either. declare, if he isn't as
white as any spook. Keep mum, boys
we won't peach, Clark, never fear"
With this the knot of boys separated,
and disappeared around the corner,
some of them hallooing back to Clark,
or waving their hats. He stood irreso-
lutte, looking after his father, who was
nearing Mr.. Parks in rapid strides.
Then, assured that the boys were all out
of sight, he ran to the barn and buried
himself in the hay.
MI, C,,ntbaY xrra @ l,;oJ orI :,,JrIouA
not only to his own sons, but others. He
had been much annoyed since the be-
ginning of the snow season with the
school-boys snow-balling about his place.
He gave them permission to play in the
back yard and about the barn, though
strictly forbidding throwing snow-balls
about the house. At this time the bows
had had great fun building a snow fort
in the back yard. Concealing pail of
water behind it to harden the snow-balls
to throw at the enemy in the street had
so exasperated them that they were very
angry. and what began in sham fight
ended in real battle. The boys in the
street continued firing as they retreated
past the prescribed limits, until one of
the hardened balls from the victorious
party struck the WINDOW.
Mr.. Gunther grew more angry and
determined with every step. He was
surprised to find Johnnie drawing his
little sister in the front yard.
"You can't deceive me, YOU Young
rascal, if you did reach home first.
Where is your fatherp"
I" In the library, think, SIR" replied
Johnnie, staring after Mr.. Gunther as
he went hastily up the steps, and sooth-
ing his sister, who was frightened at the
loud voice.
II am sorry to trouble you, Mr..
Parks" began Mr.. Gunther, trying to
control himself, "but / have been so
annoyed with this snow-balling business
this winter that l am quite out OF
patience, and it must be stopped. Your
boy, Johnnie, has just broken one OF
my large windows, and if had not for.
hidden all the boys again and again
throwing around my house, would not
have made an example of Johnnie al
this time. My boys have got to quit it,
and mean other peoples shall on my
premises. There is no reason in the
boys. You can not limit them; it has to
be prohibited; the school superintend.
ent has stopped all throwing on the
school-house grounds. Why, it is
dreadful, sir, the audacity that boys
have in these days. Your Johnnie stared
at me as innocently as though he had
never seen a SNOWFALL, and was draw
ing his sister as blind"
az am glad you told me,'' said Mr.
Parks. al will repair the damages and
punish the boy. Johnnie usually come.
directly home from school, his mother
tells me, and I am surprised he should
stop without permission. l am away
from home so much the management OF
the children is left mostly with my wife
You are right about it, Mr.. Gunther; il
must be stopped"
Mr.. Parks followed Mr.. Gunther tc
the door, and cut an apple branch, a.
he called to Johnnie, getting very angry
himself before the time. He did no
often punish his children, and he ough
never, because it was always in ange
and without waiting an explanation
1t must be said that Mr.. Gunther felt al
inward satisfaction, as he passed out O
the gate, that one boy was about to ge
Mr.. Parks took Johnnie roughly b,
the arm and pushed him into the library
"And SO you had to smash one 0
Gunther's windows, did youP VIII,
didn't you come and tell me, and no
sneak this wayP"
"Ohi papa, L"
"Not a word, now. know all abou
1t, and I'll teach you to let SNOWFALL
alone and find some other plaything, o
I'll show you how can play with sue
things as this the blows falling thicl
and heavy on Johnnie's back, and Mr.
Parks growing more and more angry.
"But l didn't, papa; surely didn't,
screamed Johnnie.
"You know you did; what's the us
of lying about itp Mr.. Gunther SAY
you do It. Now go to your room, an
see if you can let snow-balls alone i
future.'
Mr.. Parks flung Johnnie from him
and the boy ran wildly and blindly uE
stairs. He had never seen his father 5