St. Landry democrat., 1881-12-31
I'm put the rest of mine in my peck

| ct. -
And SO he did; but it was good while
before Mrs. Jones got through asking
them about their plans for the dav, and
after that it was hard work to keep Ben
Jones from going with them. In fact,
the moment they We're out of doors
again, Ben sat down in a corner and
began to howl over it, SC that he had to
stay in the corner till dinner-time.
Nv here IL we 90 now, Johnny?"
Judge Curtin S is the biggest house
on the block, boys, and he hasn't any
Children
That's the place. They'll have ice
cream there, see if they don't IT,
But the moment the bell of Judge
Curtin's door was pulled, the door swung
open wide, and there stood his bic
waiter, in swallow-tailed coat and
white cravat, looking down in wonder
on his diminutive guests. 1t was in
vain for Johnny Cook to look bio and
hold his head up as he handed out the
cards, and Tom and Tracy edged little
behind him.
"Vot is dis You poys want some
tings?'
New Years calls explained John
ny. Are the ladies at home?'
$50? Very goot. Walk right in. I
dake in dose card, too. De madame
will be proud to see YOU Walk in
"Johnny knows" muttered Tom to
Tracy. They'll have cream here
MAY be some candy. too
But the big waiter was bowling them
into the parlor now, where Mrs Curtin
and her grown-up daughters were en-
tertaining quite an array of their gentle
men friends, and Johnny whispered
back:
"Hush, boys! There's table, and
it's FULL
A very large and stately lady was Mrs.
Curtin, and it seemed to the three new
corners that everybody in that room
was at least a size or two larger than
common; but Johnny Cook led them on
bravely, and all the ladies bowed very
low when they said: 'Wish you hap
Ply New Year"
Il am acquainted with Mr.. Cook"
said Mrs. Curtin, as she held out her
hand to him; but which of YOU is Mr..
Marmaduke Plumb?'
That's my papa, a'am, and I'm
Tracy
"Oh, you are making his calls for
him?'
"No, ma am, he's out, too, but I use
some of his cards.
Exactly. / see And this is Miss
Arabella Fitch?''
''Please, ma'am, if you'll give me
back Bellies card I'll rive you one of
mother's,'' said Tom, little doubtfully.
"Oh, this is just as good. But must
introduce you to the company while
Pierre is getting you some refreshments.
Plenty of cream, Pierre, and some con-
fectionery."
"Thats it, whispered Tom to Tracy,
and the latter answered.: "Hush, Tom!
Johnny knows"
1t was remarkable how very polite
were all those tall ladies and gentlemen.
One great, thin, yellow-whiskered
man, in particular kept them SO long
with his questions that Tom at last felt
compelled to remark: ':Don't talk to
him any more, Johnny; the ice-cream'll
be all melted"
$50 it WILL" said Mrs. Curtin. 'sDo
let them off, Mr.. Grant. Were you
never a boy?-I mean, very young
gentleman?'
"Never," said Mr.. Grant Il was
always old enough to want to eat my
cream before it melted. Come, boys,
I'll see you through like to associate
with fellows of my own age. Come ol.'
He was very grave and dignified about
it, but between him and Pierre and Mrs.
Curtin, Johnny Cook was compelled to
say to his friends:
"We must stop eating, boys, or we
can't be polite in the next house,
But he made no objection to Mr.
Grant putting confectionery in their
pockets, and then the whole company
bowed, as Pierre showed them the way
to the front door. They wondered what
he meant, as he smiled in their faces
and said:
Bon jour, mes enfants' ~
@''What's bunjer?" asked Tom.
- Johnny knows began Tracy; but
their leader was thinking Of something
else just then.
!" Can you eat any more, boys? I can,
if we walk little.''
They said they thought they could.
.tThen we'll 60 to Dr. Micklin's. He
tended our baby when it had the
measles
EDO doctors have any New Years
Day?"
"Don't you s'pose Johnny knows,
Tom?'' said Tracy Plumb. "Of course
they do
The doctor lived in big brick house
on corner, nearly two blocks beyond
Judge Curtin's; but the boys were only
half sure they were hungry when they
rang the bell.
The door was opened by gentleman
with a coffee-colored face and curly hair,
and who could not have been more than
tIIrino &c ala q ,Hnrl1