The Abilene reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1883-1888, 1884-05-22
Bertie's Bad Habit.

AWAY AIC IOu dWdhC
That is what BERTHE Martin heard his
mother calling to him from the foot of
the stairs one cold morning lately, and
he answered as he cuddled down still
further into the warm bed:
"Yes'm, in 8 minute"
And that was what BERTHE ALWAYS
said, no matter what you asked him
I'm a minute"
So this morning when breakfast was
ready there was, as usual, no BERTHE,
and as he did not come one OF his sis
tiers was sent to call him again. And
when his mother was ready to clear the
table she must wait till the lazy boy had
eaten his breakfast.
"Bertie, said the dear old grandma,
'please run up to my room and fetch
me the bail of red yarn that is on the
table"
I'm minute" answered BERTHE
But his minute was so long that
grandma, who was waiting for the
yarn, had to toll up the stairs herself
and get it.
Come, Bertie!'' called Jennie, who
was tying on her hood, ''it's nearly
school time"
III be ready in a minute" And
Bertie commenced to fly around for
books and cap.
Pm not gong to wait for any of
your old minutes" replied Jennie,
marching off to school, but BERTHE
nearly ran his legs of to reach the
door in time.
"Bertie." said his father, 81 want
you to mail this letter for me immedi-
ately."
':In a minute" papa" said BERTHE,
but his father saw to it that lie started
right off. But before he reached the
pOst-otfice he stopped at Willie Deane's
house to invite him to spend the next
afternoon with him, and by the time he
had looked at Willie's rabbits and
climbed up to the pigeon loft. it was
four O. o'clock and too late for the impor-
tant letter to go that afternoon.
That was the way all Bertie's days
were spent, in putting each thing off till
the wrong time. to the trouble and
annoyance of every one around him.
But one morning things were turned
round.
"Bertie! BERTHE! get up" called his
mother that morning.
"Yes' m, in a minute"
But in exactly minute his big
brother Tom came into the room.
What! not up? you're not keeping
your word to mammal And Tom
tugged at the bed-clotheS.
.'Oh! Ow! let me alone! oh, say,
it's coldn' and BERTHE clung with all his
might to the covers.
'O-o-o-wr he squealed, as Tom,
with jerk. landed him, covers and all,
in the middle of the floor.
"Now," said Tom, "if you don't get
dressed it will be the worse for you"
And BERTHE was too wretched and
surprised at such treatment to say: Elm
q minute" He only shivered.
.Bertie, come to breakfast" called
Sue, presently.
"In a minute" answered Bertie, who
was in bed again by this time. When
he came lettering down after breakfast
was over, what was his surprise to find
everything cleared away and Sue wash
ing the dishes.
Il want my breakfast" he said.
'Then you must come in time for it,"
replied his mother. ''Boys who never
do anything at the right time may ex-
pect people to grow tired of their ways,
and to-day am going to let you see
for yourself just how this bad habit of
yours seems to others"
An hour later Bertie came running in. |
20. mamma, may go cOasting on
Firehin with the bOys?"
Mr. Martin ,uoS I-,.ppipor a
chine.
"Wait a minute" she answered; 81
want to finish this SEAM" And she
ratified away, while BERTHE screamed in
vain that the boys were going right
away. His mother finished her seam,
it out, looked at the stitches;
at last she said: What is it?''
BERTHE told her again.
I'm afraid it's too cold" answered
Mrs. Martin. "but I will look at the
in minute and IL it is
above twenty degrees Jou may 60"
SO in about quarter of an hour when
Mrs. Martin had finished her sewing she
looked at the thermometer and gave
Bert e the promised permission. but by
that time the other boys had gone and
poor BERTHE must trudge through the
snow alone. At dinner time he rushed
IN hungry as hawk and in great
hurry to eat and he of.
..Dinner will be ready in a minute"
said Sue.
But it wasn't ready for nearly an
hour. And so it was all day long;
whatever he asked the answer was: '.In
l minute" Whatever he wanted he
must wait very long minute, just as
le had kept other people waiting. /
hink BERTHE learned lesson of prompt
obedience from that uncomfortable day,
md never heard him say ''In a min
ite'' Observation-Disclosures Call.