The Evening critic., 1884-02-11
AND THAT ANGELIC PARENT
Just Placed That Dear Little Boy
Across HIS Knees aud Made Him

Just Placed That Dear Little BOY
Across HIS Knees and Made Him
Howl.
They we're sitting around the tea-table sun
day evening. Pa looked contonted, because
he had Just laid down his knife and fork after
Industriously working them In connection
with his Jaws. Ma was happy and smiling be-
cause Pa had promised an early treat In the
shape OF tickets to the theatre. Sis was toy
ing with a spoon, occasionally lifting small
quantity Of preserves TO her lips and fire.
quently glancing at the clock, for the hour
was coming, only too slowly, when Adolphus
should make his appearance. Bobby, who
had Just got outside OF vast quantity OF pie,
preserves and sweets, was In deep study,
and finally broke out with:
"Pa, you're a angel, aren't your
what funny question, Bobby" giggied
"a nice little cherub" said Ma. "Doos he
look like the pictures of angels in your books,
s,But you are Pa, aren't your
"what put such notion and question In
"Me and Sam was playing down at the cor
ner. Jack Smith was a-standin' there, and by
and by Tom Jones and Nick Wilson came
along, and they says to Jack, says they, "what
| you standin here for2' and Jack said no was
a-waitin' for a angel, and list then they seed
Pa a-comin' down the street and Jack no
"Bob, hold your tongue" shouted Pa, who
| seemed TO be getting uneasy.
'Go on, Bobby. Come and tell Ma what Jack
enid," came encouragingly from the other side
OF the table. Pas excitement was making Ma
suspicious.
slack says says he"
"Roberti Ii you dare say another word III
thrash you" almost yelled the now very nor
vous Pa.
"Come here, pet" said Ma to the now
frightened Bobby, and as she smoothed his In
nocent locks, she said to Pa, 81 don't sec why
| the child should not tell what Jack said. He
| and his companions are nothing but three
| loafers, anyhow, who only work half the time
| and spend all they earn In beer shops"
"That 10 the very reason he should not quote
| their sayings or be near whore they are"
"Go on, Bobby, tell Ma what Jack said"
| Bobby, VINO was now seated on Mas lap, felt
pretty secure, and resumed;
| "When Jack seed Pa a.comin', he says, says
| he"
"Robertl" from Pa In a warning voice that
startled the child and made him sob.
"Go on, darling" from Ma, and fortifylng
| him with a kiss.
"Jack saye, says he, there comes our angel,
now. Then me and Sam ran round the COR
ner, cos we didn't want Pa 10 see US for fear he
might send me home. Then Pa, he"
"RobeIt Il you dare a say "a anotner ne word
darling" Another kiss.)
"Then, Pa, he came up and said something
TO them, and then they all went 10 at Dutch
Joe's eide door. But, Ma, what did they call
| Pa angel for, II he wasn't angel ?"
"ohi you wretchl " said Ma 70 Pa, not heed
ing the darling's question. "Theres whore
tho money goes, buying beer for bummers and
loafers who wait on cornors TO pick up angels,
as they call the fools who treat them. Angels,
| indeed"
But Pa had disappeared, and, as he closed
| the door with bang, he was heard TO mutter
something that sounded very much like
''damn precocious youngster, anyhow"
| And thus IL was that that happy family cir
| Gle broke up In q row; and Ma didn't get to
the theatre that week; and the next morning
Bobby and Pa had n little conversation In the
woodshed, unknown 10 Ma, and for three
days Bobby found II uncomfortable to sit
down; and Pa and Ma looked daggers at each
| for n We mi
phus because her eyes were swollen on ac-
count of the family troubles; and all because
| ono dear little boy wanted to inform the family
that some people thought "his Pa was q
l angel