Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1890-09-18
NAM MAS TRAMPS.
little Boys That Run Away and Came
fstcIS Sorry.

heaved, and ne was muttering to him
self.
Mammals JUS too cross for any
thin he said. "May be I'm bad, but
she needn't scold me SO much, if l am
bad
He deba ted a moment, pushed open
the door, and called out:
Mamma, Is goin' away"
well, goodbye, them" mamma said.
But won't 90 tiss me fore l go?"
asked Tod, his voice shaking.
81 only kiss boys when they come and
tell me they are sorry" mamma said.
but, 'spose l never come baclz?" Tod
asked, with little gasp.
''Oh, you'll be back soon enough" de-
clared mamma, cloud of dust from her
broom almost hiding Tod.
He stepped back, coughed and then
closed the door. Poor Tod was in dis
grace, and he knew it. He had been
cross, contrary, willful; he felt that he
had deserved scolding, but was not
ready to say So He walked down the
garden path, where he met his brother,
only year older, and nick named
Bud though he did not bear any re-
sem blance to a bud.
''What's the matter?" asked Bud.
Mamma 'bused me-" declared Tod,
with very little regard for the truth.
That's shame" Bud sympathizing-
ly said. ''She sent me away, too. I'm
glad swcepin' day doesn't come every
day"
Bud had blossomed into pantaloons,
but Tod still wore a frock, which
added roundness to figure already
rather stumpy.
Bud, let's run away" Tod said.
The older brother thrust his hands
into his pockets, a thoughtful look
creeping into his face. The proposal
had startled him somewhat.
"Mamma'n hunt US, an bring US back,
an be kind to u.s. suggested Tod.
''Oh, she's not bad sort of a man.
ma" replied Bud, under qualm of con-
science. Il 'spect we amt as good as we
might be. But Tod, what if she doesn'.
bring us back?"
That question rather upset Tod's cal
culations
We'll, she needn't" he perversely
said. He gave his straw-hat half
vicious pull, and then kept on his way.
Hold on cried Bud. I'm going
with you"
Out of the garden, through the or
chard, and across the meadows they
went. Bud was beginning to enjoy the
adventure, and proposed various plans,
finding willing listener in contrary
little Tod
There's an old bark hut in the
woods" said Bud. We'll stay one
night in that"
Nor cried Tod, in alarm. "a big
bear might"
Nonsense" interrupted Bud. "There
amt no bears around here"
isn't this JUS sp'endid!" Tom cried,
as they entered the woods.
The shadows were cool, the moss was
like avelvet carpet, and leaves f1uttered
sleepily, and bright flowers relieved
duskiness here and there. A rabbit
sprang out of the underwood, a squirrel
chartered on withered limb. and
jaybird dropped blue feather right in
front of Tod, who clapped his hands
and stuck it in the ribbon of his hat.
Soon they were busy cleaning cut the
bark hut, Bud discussing projects that
almost took away Tod's breath, they
were so stupendous
BY noon the boys began to feel hungry.
Suddenly their hunger increased, prob
ably because they heard the farmhouse
bell ring for dinner.
TOD, could you find your way back?"
Bud asked.
Il spec l could replied Tod.
''Then go bring a lunch" Bud sug-
gested.
but we've ruined away" protested
Tod, feeling called upon to be consist
ent.
''But we're awful hungry" reminded
Bud.
There was logic in that, and finally
Tod set out for the house. Mamma was
on the porch and pretended not to know
Tod.
"What do you want?" she sharply
asked.
something to eat" Tod said. Let
me have it in basket
ooh, my.' cried mamma. Enough
for whole week, Ell? That's kind of
pudent, don't you think? Well, never
give any thing to tramps.''
But, mamma-' began Tod.
81 might give you some dinner if you
unload those chips from the cart" mann
ma said.
'I-I-can't," stammered Tod.
You mean you won't" mamma said.
well, good-day. A tramp who won't
work can't get any thing to eat here"
Tod's heart fell within him, but he
was a plucky little fellow, and pulled |
himself together with a jerk.
When he reported the failure of his |
errand to Bud the latter felt little |
chop-fallen.
Shed have given the basket of things |
to me-" he said.
well, Bud, you go try" suggested |
Tod, banteringly. sit is the big OK
cart, Bud, and
Let the hired man unload the chips |
was Buds reply. I'VE can get plenty |
of berries to eat"
Berries satisfied their hunger for |
time. They played in the woods, and |
the afternoon wore away. Tod lost a
shoe in the quagmire, Bud was
stung by hornet, and both tho |
boys were scared by wild hog, !
which might as we'll have been BEAR
from the way in which they ran for the
hut. Suddenly the woods darkened, |
and then low. rumbling, deepening |
sound was heard