Southern standard. (McMinnville, Tenn.) 1879-current, 1881-03-05
A FATHERS MISTAKE.

"WHo threw that snow-ballP" de-
manded Mr.. Gunther, stepping from his
door an instant after the missile went
crashing through thirty-six by twenty
inch glass in the bay window.
"Johnnie Parks, answered Bill Blase,
in rough voice.
Mr.. Gunther scanned the group of
boys a moment silently. They ex-
changed glances in terror.
Z" 1t is Johnnie Parks, l say; the kids
ran home," said Bill, stepping forward
boldly.
"Now you've done it," said Sammy
Sloan; "Gunther is going straight to
Parks, and Johnnie will catch it,
"The governor will plank down the
stamps he's able to. It's good joke,
and 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 he a goose, nor a
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.
Mr.. Gunther was kind and indulgent,
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 SNOWFALL:
about the house. At this time the boys
had had great fun building snow for
in the back yard. Concealing pail o.
water behind it to harden the SNOWFALL.
to throw at the enemy in the street hat
so exasperated them that they we're very
angry, and what began in sham figh
ended in q real battle. The boys in tn,
street continued firing as they retreateC
past the prescribed limits, until one o.
the hardened balls from the victorious
party struck the window.
Mr.. Gunther grew more angry anC
determined with every step. He wa!
surprised to find Johnnie drawing hi,
little sister in the front yard.
"You can't deceive me, you young
rascal, if you did reach home first
Where is your fatherp"
In the library, l think, sir,' replied
Johnnie, staring after Mr.. Gunther a.
he went hastily up the steps, and sooth
ing his sister, who was frightened at tn,
loud voice.
81 am sorry to trouble you, Mr.
Parks" began Mr.. Gunther, trying Il
control himself, 'but l have been 81
annoyed with this snow-balling busines
this winter that am quite out 0
patience, and it must be stopped. You
boy, Johnnie, has just broken one o
my large windows, and if had not for
hidden all the boys again and agail
throwing around my house, would no
have made an example of Johnnie a
this time. My boys have got to quit it
and mean other peoples shall on m
premises. There is no reason in tn
boys. You can not limit them; it has t.
be prohibited; the school superintend
ent has stopped all throwing on tn
school-house grounds. Why, it i
dreadful, sir, the audacity that boy
have in these days. Your Johnnie stare
at me as innocently as though he ha
never seen SNOWFALL. and was draw
ing his sister as blind"
al am glad you told me-" said MI
Parks. ~ will repair the damages an
punish the boy. Johnnie usually come
directly home from school, his mothe
tells me, and l am surprised he shoul
stop without permission. | am ava
from home so much the management {
the children is left mostly with my wif'
You are right about it, Mr.. Gunther;
must be stopped"
Mr.. Parks followed Mr.. Gunther t
the door, and cut an apple branch, 9
he called to Johnnie, getting very angr
J himself before the time. He did nj
often punish his children, and he ougl
never, because it was always in angt
and without waiting an explanation
1t must be said that Mr.. Gunther felt a
inward satisfaction, as he passed out {
; the gate, that one boy was about to g
} his just deserts.
MIR. Parks took Johnnie roughly b
the arm and pushed him into the librar,
"And so you had to smash one
Gunther's windows, did youp WI
: didn't you come and tell me, and n,
sneak this wayp"
"Oh! papa, /"
} "Not word, now. know all abol
it, and I'll teach you to let snowfall
= alone and find some other plaything, {
I'll show you how | can play with sue
things as this" the blows falling thiC
and heavy on Johnnie's back, and NJ
| Parks growing more and more angry.
"But | didn't, papa; Isurely didn't,
screamed Johnnie.
| "You know you did; what's the u
, of lying about itP Mr.. Gunther sa
l you do it. Now go to your room, al
5 see if you can let snow-balls alone
l future"
Mr.. Parks flung Johnnie from hiT
9 and the boy ran wildly and blindly u
4 stairs. He had never seen his father
S angry, or been so severely punishe
e Perhaps recent unsuccessful speeulatio
s added to the fathers anger, not being