Rock Island daily Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1886-1893, 1891-11-28
HUMSLlNd A FATHER.
An Instructive Tale of a Stout Merchant,
A Happy Parent and Bad BOY.

An ms tructive Tale of "a Stout Merchant,
A Happy Parent and Bad Boy.
He was a street. child of about five years
"a kind of a mothers pet and fathers
joy-aud he was taking dinner with his
father IN one of the down town cafes the
other cay. Before he left he had attracted
more attention than if he had been noted
man.
This sweet boy, who had been introduced
to pair of knickerbockers sat a: round
table in the restaurant beside his father.
1t 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 corpulent and appeared to take
pride N his luXuriant whiskers. There
was another man at the table-a slight,
round shouldered young fellow - who
looked as If he might be a clerk in one of
the many offices surrounding the restau-
rant.
AS soon as father and son sat down it
was evident there was going TO be trouble
The youngscer Immediately examined
infinitely everything on the table within
reach. He took the stopper out of the oil
bottle and asked his father to smell it.
Funny vinegar. amt its" he exclaimed
you mustn't do that" said the father
timidly. "You are bad boy Ia glance at
the old merchant) and l shan't take you
out again"
When the waiter brought bread and
napkin the father gently tucked the latter
under his SOILS 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
Finally he blurted ont:
''Ice cream"
There was no installing his order, for ne
gave it in such loud, shrill voice that
everybody in the room looked around.
The waiter departed, and paterfamilias
again demonstrated with the dear little
fellow in the conventional manner and
again Informed him that he was a bad boy,
| glancing at the merchant now and then as
| II expecting 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
| trying to kill flies with it. The dinner
| came, while papa from time to time re-
| peated the assertion, which be felt sure
was untrue, that his offspring was a bad
| boy
| They got through and the little one was
| using his napkin for a handkerchief and
moppiug his brow with it. The stont
| business man was slipping his coffee and
| putting on his cigar. The merchant had
| been looking in the direction of the child,
| who ut that me ment had left his chair and
/ was inc ustriously trying to climb up his
| fathers back
How old is your son ?" inquired the
| merchant of the proud father
| You could see the father was proud His
face WIS bundle of smiles-if any one
ever saw such parcel.
| Tell the gentleman how old You are AL
| fred lie ordered the boy.
mo, [ won't"
! Come, nowl l won't take you out
! again." Shakes him little and tries To
| look severe. Hes nearly six"
81 should like to adopt him. the mer-
| chant continued.
''Hear that, Alfred?" remarked Alfred :
pa to the youth. This gentleman wants
to adopt you. Will you go to himf"
| Nav. He's got wLiskers" This WA,
spoken very violently.
! Pater familias looked tired and his cheeks
burned after this unexpected outburst. He
tried to shake Alfred again, but the boy
| evaded lim.
''What makes you fancy hm?'' inquired
the proud fat her.
Fancy himl" echoed the business man.
81 did d OF say that"
But you wanted to adopt himi"
'Yes-to give me authority to spank
himW
The symposium dispersed, paterfamilias
scowled at the merchant, grasped Alfred
by the hand and made hasty exit. The
walters smiled, the guests laughed and
the merchant continued smoking his after
| dinner oigar.-Philadelphia Ledger.