Reporter and farmer. [volume] (Webster, Day County, Dakota [S.D.]) 188?-1946, 1886-12-09
Fergnson.s Boy. Freddie.

f. Al. stearns, in It'd Bids: Idined
with Ferguson the other day. Fergu-
son has boy named Freddie. Fred
die Is boy about nine years of age,
and is considered very bright" He
is; he is positively brilliant. But If he
were my boy / think could polish
him still more. At ell events Ishould
/ try.
Freddie came into the parIor soon
after my arrival, his face shining from
a recent vigorous application OF soap
and water, and his yellow hair plas-
tered down to his head so that every
bump was plainly visible.
"You don't remember Mr.. johnson,
do your said his father, taking the
young cub on his knee.
Yep was the reply,
Whats THAR" said Ferguson re-
proyngiy.
"Yep," repeated the boy, with asur-
prised look.
Haven't | told you to always say
| yes, sir?"
"Yessir."
That's better. So you remember
Mr. johnson, eh? It's nearly three
years since Freddie saw you last, :"
added Ferguson, turning to me. Its
astonishing what memory that boy
has. What do you remember about
Mr.. johnson, Freddie?" he inquired.
Il remember" replied Freddie, in
geuiously, that his hair was white at
the roots and black at the ends, aud
mar said she guessed he hadn't dyed
it this week"
This remark produced a feeling of
constraint, SO to to speak, and Fred
die was banished from the parlor |
did not see him again until / went to
dinner.
Ferguson asked blessing. As soon
as he had finished Freddie burst out
| with:
Par, what's the reason you never
do that 'eept when wehayecomp'ny?"
Ferguson made some facetious re-
mark, but saw light in his eye
which told me that there was trouble
ahead for Freddie, and | reioiced in
secret.
Mar" said Freddie presently.
''dtn't you wish Aunt Maria was
/ here?"
Why, Freddie9'' said his mother,
with fond smile.
"'Cause you said the other day that
you wished she an Mr.. Johnson could
meet. cause he'd be such good catch
| for her, an it was about her last
| chance, an"
Frederick" shouted Ferguson.
"Why, Freddie Ferguson" exclaim-
ed his mother.
The subject was quickly changed. !
felt that 1t would be wiseto send Fred
die away from the table, but Ferguson
dared Fate and permitted him to re-
main.
Gimme another piece ofcake!" said
Freddie, presently.
"You have had three already" said
his mother, gently.
81 know / have, an / want anoth-
err"
But"
81 want another piece OF caker"
What can you possibly want Of
more cake?"
"Wanter eat it, OF course. What'd
yer s'pose | wanted ter do with it,
put wheels on it an use it for wag-
on?"
1t struck me that this would be a
good time to remove Freddie and in
iiet corporal punishment upon him,
but Mrs. Ferguson thought differently
She regarded Freddie's remarks as
laughable.
It's astonishing what fund of hui
NOR that boy has got" she said, as
she gave him the biggest piece OF cake
on the plate. Hes always making
quaint remarks like that. Par and /
think he'll become a great humorist. Z"
Mr.. Johnson" said Freddie, as he
rose from the table, lean / feel ofyour
di'mun pin2"
What singular request" said
Mrs Ferguson. "But please let him
do it if you don't mind, Mr.. Johnson.
He's got some funny idea in his head
and We shall see what it is"
We did. After rubbing the diamond
several times with his foreinger (inci-
IDENTIFY coloring my immaculate shirt
front with currant ielll, he said Won
deringiy:
"Why. it amt sticky at all. "
mo, Freddie, OF course not" said
Ferguson smilingly.
"Why shouldit bestickyG Diamonds
are not sticky"
mo, I s'pose not" said Freddie,
"but Iheard mar say that she thought
it vast adi'mun at all, but only paste,
anil knew that PASTE
But at this point Freddie was hus-
tied out of theroom by his father, and
in few moments my heart was glad
ened by the sounds OF dismal yells in
the distance.
saw no more of Freddie that even
ing. do not intend to dine at Fer
guson's again at present.