The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1888-08-04


envy OF all the other boys whose fathers
lacked the enterprise to engage in mer-
camille transactions of 30 much import
ance.
eff I were you" said Mort Stribling to
his cousins, I'D just slip in behind a
barrel of pork, and get forgotten until
your father was fairly on the way"
"Would your retorted Leonard scorn-
fully. "Then you don't know my father
as well as we do. For all he's so full Of
fun, we'd get dressing with leather
strap, sure as he found us, and be put
on the next boat up the river
But Ben drew himself up proudly.
"Do you think I'd sneak off from home
that way, and father gone? Who would
take care of mother and the girls if was
to leave them?"
The women, discussing the subject
over their afternoon knitting. talked fast
as the needles flew. But while much was
said, whose tongue few 30 fast as Susie's?
Who hut she rang all the changes that a
fertile brain could invent, on that and
every topic, with busy, questioning chat
ter? And when all the queries about
things probable and improbable had
been brought forward, who but she could
begin the category again, and continue
it with untiring persistence?
Leonard, who had attended the district
school three miles away through the win
ter, drew huge Interrogation point on
the smoke house door with charcoal, and
labeled it Susie North.
In fact Susie might well be called an
animate interrogation point. Now, all
interrogation points are pert enough ask
ing questions which often no one knows
how to answer But when they are put
down in the middle of page, there they
must stay waiting for reply, and If it
never comes they can only keep up help
less, mute appeal. But fancy an active,
wriggling, healthy interrogation point,
endowed with strong limbs, and mouth
which never ceases all day long! Such q
one might well be terror In a well-regu-
lated family, and such terror was Susie
fast becoming in the crowded home cir
Gle.
"That child has become nuisance with
her endless questions" said Mrs. North
every day. This remark she repeated
with more emphasis than usual to her
husband one evening. when the children
we're tucked away in bed. 1--WE must try
new plan to help her overcome it, she
added.
'But mother" returned Mr.. North,
"she wouldn't learn it if she didn't ask
questions. It's the sign of an active and
intelligent mind"
"Yes; but her active mind needn't run
away with all sense and reason. It.gets to
be nothing but selfishness. II you had her
around all day as do, with her endless
clatter and want to know you'd see that
it couldn't be endured and ought not to
be-"
Mr.. North, sitting tipped back again st
the wall in his high backed, splint-bot-
toned chair, made no reply. Susie had
always been his especial pet, and he felt
that if she transgressed the bounds OF
propriety and modesty expected of little
girls at that time, 1t was partly caused by
his too great indulgence. He thought
fully "stropped" his razor on the back OF
the leather bound Bible, and dropped q
hair upon its edge, still in silence.
"What do you think of this, wife?'' he
said, after while. "You know I'm 60
ing to New Orleans next week."
"Well?"
"How would it do to limit her to twenty
questions day while I'm away, and il
she keeps within bounds, let her come
and meet me at Beardstown with you
and Ben, when I get back, 1t will be a
nice treat for the child. She's never been
so far from home"
perhaps that might do" returned
Mrs. North. II think it would be worth
trying, any way"
The next morning, which was Sunday,
the plan was unfolded to Susie, who
grasped eagerly at the idea without STOP
ping to count the cost. She was quite
ready to begin then and there.
Don't promise in hurry" said Leon
ard. you'll ask twenty before break
fast is over"
Susie closed her lips very tight, and
made no answer. but alasl how easy it is
to forgetl in a few moments she had
asked three, almost in breath.
"Be careful, SUSIE" said Mary, lifting
a warning finger, "sou have long day
before you, and the questions are piline
up fast"
"O-o-h, dearp sighed Susie, 81 wish
could just go to sleep and wake up and
find it was tomorrow"
However, by taking little sister Ksthie
out of doors and amusing her while the
family were st"meeting and long nap in
the afternoon, she did get through the
day in safety.
The next morning, Mr.. North, whose
plans had been enlarged to embrace 6
liver steamer instead of fat-boat, took
his departure for BeRrdstowp, where the
boat was awaiting him. His last words
to Susie were:
"Now, Susie. be pspa's good girl while
1 am gone. Take care OF baby Ksthie