The diamond drill. (Crystal Falls, Iron County, Mich.) 1887-1996, 1888-07-28
Something To Fret About.

fretful tone. -don't you see the latch
Is OF the front gateP'
Yes indifferently.
'.Aren't you going to put Il onP"
aSometime. maybe" and the boy
continued his absorbing occupation OF
ilicklng the flies from the window
pane.
Il never saw anything like It,"
fretted Mrs. Wilson as che left the
room The children are all alike.
They do nothing but worry me to
death AL the time. and they don't
seem TO care one cent"
This appeal did not have the slight
est effect upon the mighty hunter Of
the flies.
Mss Renter rocked herself to and
fro in great statc OF rturbation.
She did dcsplse .'old maid aunts who
interfered with their nieces and neph-
ews," but IL was hard work to hold
hcr peace now. Finally human nature
could endure II no longer and she
said:
''Arcn't you going to fix that gate
for your mother. Stephen?'
mot Il know myself. at least not
Just now"
"Why notp' she demanded. rather
sternly.
sPm going TO leave her something
TO fret about She worries aud frets
so about everything that IL does me
good 10 see something really worth 1t
all"
II don't think that's exactly the
way for a boy of seventeen TO talk of
his mother.
No. perhaps not aunt Ellen. but
let me tell you one thing, aud that is.
that boy of seventeen sees parents
faults as we'll as anybody. There comes
time In every body's life when he be-
gines TO gauge his parents as man and
woman. His affection for them does
not change. but he secs their faults. as
he secs those OF the rest of humanity.
All my childhood our household was
uncomfortable. and never knew ex-
actly why. although felt the difference
between my homo aud that of some
other boys know. You've never been
here before. but you'll sec You'll
find out what | found out that the
whole discomfort rises from mothers
nagging. frelfuI disposition--day in
day out-morning noon and night. I
can just tell you ---' Mrs. Wilson's
entrance put an end to the conference.
Just look at that carpet" she ex-
claimed. the same fretful frown on her
face. "all the corners turned up.
never saw anything like it. Isuppose
Stephen kicked it up You may be
thankful. Ellen. you never married
and had any boys. They are enough
TO drive any body distracted. Where is
be nowp'
: Il really don't know; perhaps he has
gone to mend the gate"
II suppose he has. just as wanted
him to 90 on m crrand; he's never on
hand at the right moment Stephen!
Stephen" she called. In rasping
tones. ~
s.Wellpn Came from the distance.
u want you 10 go on an crrand.
Cant / fix tho gate. have just
got all the things out and II will take
SO long TO put them all back againP II
won't take mo minute 10 fix tho
gate" called Stephan In reply.
mo. You must go now. Good
graciousl never saw boy take so
long to pu; away few tools What
have yon been doingP' No reply.
What have you been doing?" 10
louder tone.
"You know perfectly WELL" fred up
the boy. 'tlist father always makes
me put the tools away exactly so In
the chest. aud II takes good while"
"Well now you can go down TO the
store. and got me the buttons for
your shirts. aud Let me sec IL you can
bc rs long about that"
Naturally Stephen. thus admonished.
started out in anything but a pleasant
temper.
Now. Ellen" she said. you've
been here two days. and just ask you,
did you ever see such dsrcspectful,
indifferent boy as haveP I've done
everything IN the widc world for that
boy. Wait there's Jamesl James.
did you know tho latch Is off the
gatoP"
Yes. Wife" answered good-naturcd
Mr.. Wilson. easily.