The Maryville times. (Maryville, Tenn.) 1884-1944, 1890-06-04
Bun wiped his mouth carefully as he

Bun wiped his mouth carefully IS he
went into his mothers kitchen. He
did't think Of her smelling his breath.
That she would not. IKE to have him
smoke, he was very sure, SO he did not
want her to know what no had done.
Mrs. Parks was ironing, and he had
to pass her to put his book away.
''Why! Bum" she said, what is it
that smells so strong of tobacco?"
She did look so surprised. Her son
hung his head, and his cheeks were as
red as the scarf he wore.
He did hate to tell, but the whole
story came out finally.
''Jack says that tobacco is good for
most any thing" Bun said in conclu-
sion. "When his sister Madge had the
ear-ache, his father smoked in it and it
got better right away."p
"You may go and do the chores now,"
was the only reply the lady gave.
She spoke so calmly that Bun thought
she didn't care much.
Cricket! but didn't expect to get
of that easy" murmured Bun, as he
went to the barn with a smile on his
face.
He fed the horse and COW, then he
shelled corn for the chickens, whistling
merrily as he worked.
When the fowls had eaten their sup
per he shut them into the hen-house.
| His work was now all done except
milking the white cow-Daisy.
He was in a good humor, and as he
hung up the stool Bun stopped to pet the
the gentle creature and talked to her
"You don't know what fun I've had
to-day, do you, Daisy?" he asked.
NO. you're not boy, so you can't
know any thing about it. I'm going to
be man some day, Daisy, and then l
can smoke all want to; no one will
make fuss about it. Ibid feel kind O
mean when | saw that grieved look
come over mothers face, but she'll get
over it after awhile, guess"
As soon as Bun left the house his
mother put on her hat and shawl Then
she went to the store, walking very fast.
When the little boy came in with the
pail of milk she was ready for him.
'Come in here" she said, leading the
way to the sitting-room.
Bun followed obediantly. She drew
the big rocking-chair up to the fire.
shook up the cushion, and said: ''Sit
down, Bunnie, and rest you must be
tired" The boy looked at her, too as
tonished for speech. He wondered
what it all meant, but he soon found
out.
Mrs. Parks went to her room, return
ing moment later with clay-pipe
and parcel of tobacco She filled the
pipe, and, after lighting it, handed it
to Bun, with the remark:
"Now have good smoke. When
that is gone I'll give you more; there's
plenty of tobacco here"
Was she testing? No; her face was
grave and her voice sounded as usual.
Another kind look from his mother,
and he was left alone.
''This is what call jolly" thought
our hero.
"a warm room all to myself, and leave
to smoke all want to-"
He pulled away for few minutes, but
suddenly his face grew sober.
IL don't want to smoke any more"
he cried.
"Oh, yes! finish what you have there,
at any rate" his mother answered.
'But Pm sick, he was obliged to own
at last
mercy sake! Can the child be sick?
Strange that he should be taken SO
suddenly, Perhaps another good smoke
will cure it," she added.
The mother hurried away to finish
getting supper But poor Bun could
not eat mouthful that night.
Only those who have had like ex-
perience can imagine how i'll the boy
was.
81 PROMISE" he sobbed, with his head
resting on his mothers shoulder, ''nev-
er to smoke any MORE"
He has kept his word.
To this day Bruce Parks can not
endure the sight or smell of tobacco
Lena Reynolds in Christian at Work.
A Lost Little Boy.
"Iicrc, Hattie" said Mrs. Brown, as
she was going out one afternoon, 81 am
going to the store, and you must amuse
little brother until / come back. You
may have your playthings on the piazzi,
but be sure that he does not go down
the steps. won't stay very long"
Hattie was faithful little sister, and
had often taken care of her little BROTH
er. AS he was three years old, his
mamma felt that she could leave home
for few minutes with perfect safety.
She was away. however, longer than
she expected. When she returned she
found Hattie sitting on the steps, crying
as If her heart would break.
80 mamma! mamma! Arthur Is lost!
have looked for him everywhere, and
can not find him."
81 told you to keep him on the piazza,
said mamma.
81 did keep him there, but he would
not play with the blocks, and went in
to get the tin soldiers for him. He came
into the hall with me, and shut the
door; but he opened it, for when came
out the door was open and he was gone.
1 ran down the street and called him
and nobody has seen him." and Hattie
sobbed again.
Mrs Brown asked some of her neigh
bors to help her in the search fol