The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1890-05-14
THE "cOMMODORE."
How He Cured His Little Master of n Yer,
Annoying Habit.

How He Cured His Little Master of Very
Annoying Habit.
20 Mamma Terry, I've most smashed
my thumb! Oh! Oh dear!' cried Win
fred, bursting into the sitting-room like
small tornado.
''Oh, hush, Win! If you haven't been
blown to pieces by a dynamite bomb
run over by an engine, or fallen out of a
seventh-story window, there is no rea-
son for bowling so" said Thad, his big
brother, looking up from his Greek.
do be quiet, Winny," said sister
Ruth, ''for you'll have policeman and
all the neighbors in here to know who
is being lSillcd!'
but ithearts awfullyw cried Winfred.
81 guess you'd cry!'
| At that moment the bewitching strains
IF a hand-organ were heard in the
street. Winfred ran to the window, and
was perfectly quiet until the monkey
and organ moved on, then he took up
his doleful crying ~'here he left off.
"Winfred," said his mother, trying
hard to speak patiently, what is the
trouble now?'
81 hurt my finger" said the little
boy.
"Come here and let me see it."
Winfred held up his fat little fingers,
md looked at them with puzzled ex-
preston on his face.
81 s'pose it was this finger-or else,
may be, it was my thumb, I've most for
got which," he said, looking somewhat
ashamed.
'The injury must have been very
slight. Winfred, said Mrs. Terry, "or you
would not have forgotten SO soon. You
have very bad habit Of crying overevery
trine, and it makes it very unpleasant
for all OF us Besides, dear, habits, like
threads, can be easily broken when they
are little, but they grow stronger year by
year, until they are like huge cables.
How sad it would be, when you are a
man, if you should cry every time you
studied your toe, or got a silver in your
finger"
Winfred's face grew very hot with
shame.
Course sha'n'tcry when I'm a mani"
he said.
II fear you will, unless you break
yourself of the habit now" said his
mother. '.You used to be brave little
boy, but for the last year have grown
more and more babyish. I really feel
ashamed of you, Winfred."
May be / sha'n't cry any more, said
the little boy, with his arms around his
mothers neck.
Nevertheless he had three more "sry-
ing SPELLS" before bedtime.
The next day there was great rejoic-
ing in the house, for Uncle Chester came
home.
Uncle Chester was sailor, and had
been away on long voyage. Every one
liked the kind, jolly sailor, but Winfred
thought him the greatest hero in the
world.
Uncle Chester brought them all pres
ents from distant lands-shells and rare
curicsities, but to Winfred he brought a
beautiful green parrot, with brilliant
red fea thers around his neck.
Winfred was so delighted that he was
nearly wild with JOY.
you are the dearest, jolliest uncle in
the worldp' cried Winfred, hugging him
till he cried for mercy. 'How could
you know just what wanted most?'
II thought you would like it," said
Uncle Chester. tits fine bird, anG
quito young, SO it can not converse very
fluently yet; but you can teach him, il
you are patient. This species is very
teachable. There is one thing, perhaps
ought to mention, the Commodore dis
likes very much to hear any one cry.
Wintreds face grew red as he saw
Ruth and Thad smiling. He would no
have had Uncle Chester know he criet
for bank full Of money; and in all tn,
fortnight he stayed, Winfred did no
once cry.
But the door had no sooner CLOSED
after Uncle Chester than he cried loud
er than ever.
The parrot was his constant campan
ion, and rode on his shoulder or follow
ed him from room to room.
He would say Commodore" quit
plainly when asked his name, and whel
the others We're laughing he joined wit
a gruff '.Ha! HAP but the moment Win
fred began to cry the bird cried out
'sWhat baby! Ha! ha! What baby
What baby! Ha! ha! What a babyi
Winfred stopped instantly, SO surprise
that it nearly took his breath away, an
it was several days before he cried AGAR
But whenever the boy began to cry til
/ parrot screamed, In . nocking ton,