Morning journal and courier., 1891-10-30

duced to a pair of knickerbockers, sat at & father.
 It was that time of the day when nearly all the bankers and merchants appear to feel hungry, so the tables in the large cafe were crowded.
 At the same table with the boy sat one of those stern-faced business men whose countenance would give him away if he wanted to deny his occupation.
 He was compliant, and appeared to take pride in his luxuriat whiskers. There was another man at the table-a slight, round shouldered young fellow-who looked as if he might be clerk in the many offices surrounding the restaurant. As soon as father and son sat down it was evident there was going to be trouble The youngster immediately examined mi | nutely everything on the table within reach. He took the stopper of the oil bot tie and asked his father to smell it. Funny vinegar, ain't itl" he explained. "You mustn't do that" said the father, | timidly. "You are bad boy Ia glance al
 the old merchanD and I shsn't take you out again"
 When the waiter brought bread and 8
 napkin the father gently tucked the latter under his sons chin. Then the elder gave
 his order He asked the youngster what he would have, and for the answer the "kid'
 merely turned uneasily in his chair Fin, ally he blurted out: 'Ice cream" There was no mistaking his order, for he | gave it in such loud. shrill voice that everybody in the room looked around The waited departed, and paterfamilias ] AL. Al. | low in the conventional manner, and again | informed him that he was bad boy, ,glanc- | ing at the merchant now an then, as if ex- | pecting an approving smile. But the merchant didn't smile He tried to eat his dinner and read his paper. In | the meantime the good little boy had his | napkin out two or three times and was try | ing to kill flies with it. The dinner came | while papa from time to time repeated the l assertion, which he felt sure was untrue, that his offspring was bad boy. They got through, and the little one was using his napkin for a handkerchief and | mopping his brow with it. The stout busi- | ness man was slipping his coffee and puff l ing on his cigar. The merchant had been | looking in the direction of the child, who | at that moment had left his chair and was | industriously trying to climb up his ia, | ther's back.
 'How old is your son." inquired the | merchant of the proud father. | You could tell the father was proud | His face was a bundle of smiles-if any one eyer saw such parcel. "Tell the gentleman how old you are Alfred" he ordered the boy. "No, won't" Come now. I won't take you out again,'
 Shakes him little and tries to look severe
 He's nearly six" | ''I should like to adopt him. the mer | chant continued.
 Hear that, Alfred," remarked Alfred. pa to the youth This gentleman want,
 to adopt you. Will you 90 with himF'
 'Naw. He's got whiskers!" This Wa.
 spoken very violently. | Paterfamilias looked tired sud his cheek.
 burned after the unexpected outhurst. H,
 tried to shake Alfred again, but the bo, | evaded him.
 What makes you fancy himi" inquired
 the proud father. Fancy him." echoed the business man
 ''I did not say that" | "But you wanted 10 adopt himt'
 "Yes-to give me authority to spanl
 him.'
 The symposium dispersed, psterfamilia.
 scowled at the merchant, grasped Alfred by | the hand and made a has:y exit. Tn
 walters smiled, the gaesis laughed and tn l merchant continued smoking his after-din l ner cigar