The Delta independent., 1890-08-05
BERT's MONITORS.

say nothing at all about the matter.
Bert was 13 years old, and it was high
time that he began to exercise his own
judgment, at least when his affairs were
concerned. He should like to know
what harm his going down to the river
for quiet moonlight swim could possi-
bly, do anybody. He would try it, at all
events. Ned Sellers would be there, and
Frank Peters. They did not seem to care
whether their parents liked it or not.
Bert could not feel so exactly; but where
was the sense in boys going to his
father every time he turned round?
He was going. He had fully made up
his mind to that. He went up to bed at
the usual time, however, but his mother,
coming into his little bedroom about half
an hour afterward, was surprised to find
him almost hidden by blanket and quilt,
though 1t was a warm night in August.
why, Bert, you'll smother. Do let
me pull off some of these Clothes
But Bert held them tightly down.
Il amt cold, mother. I mean amt
warm"
sAre you sickr"
"No'm."
"Two blankets and quilt, laughed
his mother, as she turned away. @Idon't
know what you are made of, Bert.
@And jacket and trousers and stock
ings and Shoes" thought Bert, as he
snapped his fingers very softly under a
weight Of bedclothes.
The beautiful moon looked in at the
window. 1t seemed as if the hours had
never Jagged 30. The time agreed upon
was II o'clock. Twice Bert found him.
self mapping. Suppose he should go to
sleepi The idea was not to be enter
tanned for moment. He sat up in bed
and listened, until at length the welcome
strokes greeted his ear. He was tired
and sleepy and very warm. He opened
his door softly and went down stairs.
He took his hat from the nail, and just
then plaintive "mew" greeted his ear.
-Hushl Be still, Cuff" said he, in
whisper.
Cuff was very glad to see him, and was
determined to tell him so.
@Bow, WOW, wow, was his nextgreet-
BE quiet, Prince. Stop your noisel"
said Bert, sharply.
Prince knew his young masters voice,
and, like Cuff, was delighted to be near
him, and gave expression to his feeling
In q succession of loud barks.
Hadn't you better go down, John ?"
asked Bert's mother. Il am afraid some
one is trying get in.
@They can't get farther than the
shed, was the careless reply. u left
that open.
In few moments all was quiet again.
Prince lay down at Bert's feet and Cuff
stretched herself beside him. Very care
fully he crept toward the door, hardly
daring to breathe in his anxiety. But
Prince had not been asleep. No, indeedl
He started up at the first sound OF his
masters footsteps. 1t was evident that
something unusual was going on and he
was determined to be in it.
Il must run as fast as l can," said Bert
to himself. @Hit or miss, there's moth
ing else for me to do now."
To go forward in the moonlight with
his mother watching him from above
would be foolish, indeed. To remain In
the shed to be discovered by his father
seemed equally unwise. He had very
little time to think about the matter for
At that moment he heard the we'll known
footsteps on the stairs. He darted over
to the shed closet, shut the door, and
tremblingly awaited the result.
After standing painfully still for about
10 minutes, during which Princes signifi-
cant sniffs and growls had thrice driven
him to the very verge of disclosure, he
was left unmolested in the dark closet.
He opened the door, but the shed seemed
darker yet. No loving cat or friendly
dog was there to cheer or betray. But
while he was thinking and wondering,
waiting until he was sure his father and
mother were asleep again, the old clock
rang out the hour of 12. Midnight II
was of no use to go then; the boys would
be gone.
And so Bert crept up stairs to his room,
cross and dissatisfied, feeling that the
fates were against him.
He was late to breakfast the next
morning. His mother lau yhingly in
quired IL the weight of the bedclothes
had affected his hearing.
"Yes'm-no'm. ! mean-I guess not,
he replied absently.
what sort of boy is that Ned Sell
srs?" inquired his father at length.
Bert started.
II don't know. I think he's pretty
good boy. Why2"
II passed the house this morning.
Some one was getting terrible fogging,
and think it must have been Ned.
~What for2 Do you know3"
"Yes. T " spoke very loud and
could NO. L. - hearing. 1t was for run
ming of last night Going swimming,
believe"
Bssts eyes Aashsd.
.That's just like his father, " nd he
Indignantly. "Hs never wants Ned to
have any fun.
Thsrs was no reply. soms hidden
feeling, he could hardly tell what,
prompted Bsrtis next question.
Would you Aog me, father, II I went
swimming without leave n
That depends upon circumstances, >
rsplisd tbs. father, looking ssarohinsly
-ints - faes. ~ my boy wsss nsaa
snsaeA - skulk out a ~ hsuBs a4nlGA4
veao ! WsDeea1 ~ y = - -
y l7.f rs g z