St. Landry democrat., 1890-03-01
water 2" oueried the mother doubt

tie water3" queried the mother oouot-
July.
his coppsr-toes. lie didn't reply.
And necessary to play on the raft z
"Tom Gray dared me- to-" interposed
Fred dulling his knife rather recklessly::
And necessity to stand in the colo
water ?"
"Well now, mamma, let's not talk about
that now. It's most ten o'clock. Please
be writin'."
"What shall writer"
ooh you know" And tie speaker
nervously twisted his shoestring through
an eyelet.
Mamma began writing, gravely. Fred
hoped on one foot to the table, anxiously
spelling out the words he sa"
IN o, no; exc 9, excuse.
Down went the undressed foot. Mat
tiers were growing serious. -.
"H-i-s, his; o-w n, own; ia u-l-t
fault" -,
ooh, mamma She'll punish me- she'll
punish me! How can you? On don't
you love me-? Oh, mamma
Yes, dear, l love you. LINT my note
true?'
"Well but couldn't you just say-just
saw ell COulUu yoo LA ~ ~
| how ?" he sobbed.
"That is the truth, dear, and the truth
| can't be improved by hxlng. mamma
can't tell lie for you"
81 don't want YOU to tell liel' Oh, no
the dear face of mother was too pure for
that. Fred only wanted a compromise.
| "But don't you love me? Do you want
me to be punished p ..-
81 love YOU too well to send you to your
teacher with q falsehood in your hand l
cannot fix the note, Freddy, without max
ING it untrue; but | would gladly bear
tbs pain of your punishment CD my own
| hand"
"Never y exclaimed Fred, with I'M
wonted chigalry, kissing the hands that
were finishing his toilet.
II will walk with you, dear" putting
the neat Shaker bonnet over her strangely
dewy ewes. land you will not be as lonely
then"
"But you'll hear her whip me. She
will certainly do so if take this notef
and sobs began again. :,
"Then / shall know you are bearing the
pain rather than carry an untrutn IRON
your mothers hand" said Mrs. White
taking Fred's in her own, and moving &c
the door.
Going toward the school room, strange
medley of thoughts passed through the
little boys mind Mothers way was SO
strange. so irresistible. 1t made trouble
for him; vet it was right, he knew. Blu
that terrible ruler His hand would
tremble :; but his mother babe him good by
at the gate, as though punishment were
nothing. +.
"Go in now, Freddy. Mamma can wal
for YOU to decide whether she is right o.
wrong. Good-by."
Fred brushed the tears away. Ton
Gray shouldn't see him cry. He waited u
kiss mamma She looked so pale, ant
maybe her way was best. He looked bacl
from the entry. He would smile toware
her. It would be too bad to let her g.
home grieving, and he remembered he
arms were so small, and those stocking
were only two among many muddy ones
He had made her great deal of trouble
this morning-little mother!
He went into the schcol-loom. MANN
waited without for three, four, five min
utes, No sound or blow or cry. Six
seven minutes. All quiet within.
Then she drew a long breath and wen
home.
kitchen and voice exclaimed:
"Hurrah for mamma r
We'll, dear?'' brightly.
"She never touched me. Not a stroke
She only looked odd around the eyes, ant
she read YOUR note aloud, and she said
Here is good mother My | l was
proud didn't care if did have to sta..
and make up my lesson: l wouldn
have you write the other 'scuse for any
thing"
"and how about Rob and the others
asked his mother.
oh. didn't ask. They didn't have
stay, though, cause they weren't gone
long. Oh, didn't mind. When felio'
is SO full of happy and proud, and neve
meaning to bs bad again, he don't thin
much about the others getting off easy. :,
say, mamma" Fred's face was in th
kitchen towel, "I say, after all, even
| she had whipped, think your ways IL
best. Dinner ready T'-Independe'at.