The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1889-10-12
"Oh, mamma p Harry did look so

| SET the SChOOl-DOy at on thlS nOllQay
morning, after long weeks hard work.
1t could not be finished before noon,
and all this splendid winter morning
that could be devoted to sleighlng,
snow-balling, tobogannine, and other
such delights, would be lost.
"Well, Harry"-and l could see that
there was good deal of sympathy with
the buys woe begone face in the
mothers voice-':it is too bad, my son,
but don't see that there is anybody
else to do the work. Bridget cannot,
papa must 60 to his Office, and the rest
of US are weak women and children. l
am sorry, but you will have to settle it
with Gotter."
Harry hesitated few moments, and
| could see that there was a struggle
going on in his mind. But right con-
quered. for pretty soon l saw great
shovelfuls of snow flying about the gar
den, where stout, healthy, good-na-
tured boy was making havoc among the
drifts.
Or stop Was he afraid of Gotter7
WHAT would Gotter have done to him
This mysterious individual, who ruled
the household, was he dreadfully severe7
Would there have been sad times for
the school-boy if he had arrived, and
found the paths about the house all
blocked with snow? Clearly anything
might be expected of Gotter, a person
who interfered with and controlled
every little matter, even the slightest
occurrence in the household, and whose
absence did not prevent him from
holding tight rein, and mixing his will
up with the most insignificant affairs.
At last l became quite impatient to
see Gotter. He would be we'll worth
studying after all | had heard about
him. He cert inly must be the strang-
est character in existence, and, like all
curiosities, interesting even though
odious. Finally the day came when l
felt quite sure that my curiosity was 60
ing to be gratifed. Gotter was coming.
l should see him.
Harry and Edith had been talking
about their Missionary Band. 1t was
society of young people in the neigh
borhood who had been working for the
good cause for long time. OF late
new interest had been given to their
plans. One of their number, a young
man who had grown up among them,
had been recently ordained to the min
istry, and had decided to spend his life
upon the shores of Africa teaching the
poor natives there the wonderous truths
OF our Christian religion. The young
people had been very eager helping him
get ready to 60, and now, as the last
thing, they were to make up a purse
for him, to pay his passage out and
help him establish himself there. The
question was how much should each
give.
"How much shall you give, Edith ?"
81 don't know. Harry. / haven't
made up my mind. We can do as we
like"
eyes, fortunately. Gotter has moth
ing to do with this matter.'
81 am not so sure, my dears." This
came in very low, gentle tone from
their mother.
"Why, mamma2"
"How can he have7" from Harry.
"Nothing has been said about any
fixed sum, and there are so many things
l want this summer. If give any
large sum, good by to my new row.
boat"
"All right, Harry" said his mother,
gently. "Gotter may not seem to you
to have anything to do with the matter
now, but by tomorrow he will certainly
be here at least l feel sure he will.
You watch and see if he does not ar
rive before the time set for the meet
ing"
All! Gottier was coming. The time
was nearly here. l was so glad. Really,
my curiosity was consuming me. l
could not stand it much longer.
All the morning of the following day
| waited for the traveller to arrive. But
the hours sped on; he did not come.
Finally one O'Clock arrived.
Then it was that l heard light foot
step on the stairs, and presently, as he
reached the landing, l heard his
mother call him into her room.
"Well Harry1"
"What, mother2"
"Did Gotter Gomez"
eyes, he came"
"What p l exclaimed to myself.
"Is everybody crazy1 Not person of
any kind, save the milkman and the
grocer's boy, has been to this house to-
pay to my certain knowledge, and yet
here this boy tells mis- mother that Got
ter, the great Gotter, the mysterious
potentate that rules the house, that
every one bows down to and yields be-
fore, has actually arrived, and is some-
where about the domlclle. Yet nobody
has seen him; nobody has spoken to
him no attention has been paid to his
coming; no one except Harry shows
the least cognlzance of the fact It's
inexplicable !"
1t was at this moment that | heard
Harry say: eyes, mother. OF course
I'm the oldest member now Jack is
going, and I've got to take his place.
I've got to set an example. If l don t