Lawrence democrat. (Lawrenceburg, Tenn.) 1884-1925, 1890-12-12
NUMBER 10.

Josephine" she said, with earnest
gravity and serious shake of the
head, II don't know what father will
say to this. I'm afraid he will give you
q severe reprimand."
Josephine shivered with apprehension
and bowed her head still lower in abject
sorrow.
There, daughter, don't cry any
more" added mother. "Go, wash your
face and run out of doors"
10, dear me, o, dear me suz!'' cried
Josephine, making her way slowly
down the steps, with her apron over her
head. II don't soant father to give me
S'cere repermand. l neuer had one, but
they must hurt dre'fful o, where can
l go?"
She ran down the side yard and threw
herself under the shade of the apple
trees The birds sang overhead and
the rosy apples dropped, one by one,
about ber But she did not hear the
birds, she did not want the fruit.
She never could eat again nor play any
more. To meet dear fathers eye in re-
proof would break her heart, and then
o, the dreaded ''repermand." She
jumped up and ran into the gymnasium;
closing the door behind her, she has
tened into the bowling alley. She
caught up ball and sent it rolling,
but stopped in panic, fearing its clat-
ter would betray her hiding-place. She
wished she knew what "repermand"
whip was. 1t must be something like
horsewhip. She knew of nothing more
awful. Dinner time came and passed
and hunger reinforced her sense of ut
ter desolation. She crept cautiously to
the window and peeped out The other
children were playing in the yard, and,
., dear, there were the Scott children,
too There had been company to dinner,
and she had not been there. The tears
flowed afresh. They always did have
such good things to eat and such nice
talks when there was company to din
ner. But perhaps father would not feel
like talking when he had little girl to
punish. She knew how quiet and sorry
he looked whom any OF the children had
been naughty. The skies were dark
and dreary; they gave her no cheer.
Shlvering with cold and worn out with
crying, she wandered back into the
darkest corner, and climbing over all
the benches curled herself up In little
heap on the farthest one. With wet
cheek resting upon her chubby hand
she sobbed herself to sleep.
Meanwhile the mother was busy as
busy could be, not guessing but what
her little girl had long ago dried her
tears and not for one moment imagin-
ing that her words had been so cruelty
misunderstood. Yet, although COM
pany had arrived and the duties
Of hospitality pressed, her thoughts
turned often to her usually dutiful lit
tie daughter whose heedlessness brought
trouble to them both. When father
came home he went right in to greet
the guests, and the tale of disaster was
postponed. The dinner table was more
than full and the younger ones must
wait till the second table" So it came
to pass that mother did not miss Jose
phine until she came to provide for
their dinner after tho guests had risen.
Then she dispatched one Of the boys to
find her. AS soon as the guests had
driven away she hastened back to the
dining room.
HAS Josephine come 2" she asked.
"Did you find her, John ?"
mo, can't find her anywhere"
"Why, where can she be? Where did
you see her last, WinnieP"
81 have not seen her since this morn.
ing when she broke the desk"
Father was told Of the broken desk
and the missing child, and he at once
ordered general search. The whole
big house was ransacked. Then John
went to the barn and Joe to the gardenl
Winnifred searched through the east
orchard and Martha fastened to grand
mothers Every corner of the wood.
house was overhauled and the attic
again explored. The fearful little ones
were adding their lamentations to the
general distress, when Joe rushed in
shouting:
'I've found her! I've found her!"
"Where, where?"
I'm the old gym, fast asleep. Come
| and see her. She looks so cunning"
All fastened across the yard. Father
lifted her in his strong arms.
"Poor little girlr every body said, as
they saw the traces of tears.
She gazed about wildly, then, looking
up into the kind, fatherly face, she
threw her arms about his neck and
buried her face in his bosom.
Josephine is not afraid oil father, is
shep"
II didn't mean to be naughty, father,
Please don't give me s'vere roper
mand.
"I'll tell you what I'll give you. Jo-
sephine. 1t will be nice. warm dinner
that mother has waiting for you in the
oven."
30, dear" sighed Josephine, as she
pressed her cheek against his, "Pll
never be afraid of you again, father, II
l break forty desks, and I'll never climb
up on another il you should have fifty of
'em. West Shore
What Bessie Enjoyed in Europe.