The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1892-12-25

way. He knew she could not hold hin
with that bulky bundle in her arms. BE
sides. he knew the secret from papa
about the gown. and he was going to keel
II. two.
Dear little princel That was not hi,
real name at all. but somehow It seemed
TO ht-he was such a royal little man.
When they reached home there was
barely time to put away their wraps be
fore Bert came and tea was announced
1t had been a hard day at the office.
and Bert was tired. or he never would
have noticed when the little prince in
sisted on his having his place at the
table moved from the end around 10
mammals side" As &c was he looked
annoyed. though he said nothing.
The little prince was hard TO please
that evening. He could not eat the bread
that mamma had prepared because he
wanted to butter ii himself" He threw
a spoon across the table because IL hap
pened not TO be the one marked with his
name. and succeeded altogether, I'm PROV
ing that his days work had been far too
heavy for his baby strength.
Bert was silent for the first ten min
utes. Then. my dear he said, and his
little wife knew instantly that what he
meant to say would not be pleasant.
"DO you think" he went on with n
smile that was only half a smile, that
you are giving me a square deal in this
matter?"
Il don't know what you mean" she
said. constrained.
beg pardon, but I think you do. AS
nan times as l have told you how l
enjoy our quiet dinners when we two are
alone and as easy as IL is for you to have
that boy asleep before this time. it seems
10 me that your keeping him up to turn
the whole meal topsy-turvy. is not ex-
actly doing as you would be done by,
TO say the least"
But. Bert"-she began TO speak and
stopped. II she could tell him how she
and the little prince had spent the day
how sadly they had tired themselves,
and all for him-he would forgive them
on the instant. she was sure. But the
idea Of divulging a Christmas secret
before the proper moment was not TO be
considered. So she waited.
1T would be different" he resumed,
IF YOU had anything in the world to
do except care for the boy. But you have
told me repeatedly that your Christmas
work was all done days ago, and you had
only to be lazy from now on, and / tell
YOU when u man comes home as tired as
/ am"
"Other people besides men get tired
sometimes, too" she ~interposed. you
may HOL hIOW WHAT i We Uttl QDlilBs /
but / have had a very busy day, and as
for the baby, he's as tired as you are,
every bit!'
"Then why isn't he in bed. where he
ought to be? You know very we'll"
Say, papa!' suddenly cried the subject
of contention in a voice Of high excite
81 hanged my s%toclin' up ever
since early dis mornin' an l know some
singi 1 know Santa Claus is jess a joke
an its truly you an mamma dat put
I'm presents and sings after I'm gone 10
sleep. l fOun' dat out an / know it, tool"
eyes. my son?' said Bert. in a voice
as low as he could make It. did you
think your papa was deaf? I'm not. 1
can hear quite as well as ever" Then,
to the little mother. where, I'd like to
know, did he get the habit Of shouting
In that style? DO o ever stop him and
ten him TO speak softly. or do you let
go on that way all day long?"
Il don't like your manner. Bert" she
Indignantly.
IT'S a pity you hadn't found that out
some years ago" he said. dryly.
81 don't care walled the little prince,
is the chill of the atmosphere struck his
heart. Il don't like papa, an 1
he's badi'
FLUSH. darling, hush!' said mamma.
ron. no!' said Bert" Let him speak
IFS mind. Don't make him a hypocrite
With all his other faults"
az DON'T dOn't!' the child went on.
Wis l didn't have him-he's so bad"
lis soos grew louder with every breath.
Little Prince whispered mamma.
You will nave 10 go away unless you
top. Mamma can't let you stay and
~ like this"
"Call Bridget and let her take him and
ut him to bed" Bert proposed sharply. .
"~No-no-nO!' shrieked the child. Il ,
gon't. ! won't let her! ,
81 always go with him, Bert, you
now" said mamma =
''Well. it's time he learned to go with ,
ONE one else" !
"~Bert"-her eyes were pleading. but he ,
i'd not meet them. Bert. dear-its | .
eve"
"Yes. and last Sunday It was Sunday
inner that must not be spoiled by dis
hlml Meantime, for the sake Of .
resent peace, are We 10 let our boy grow i
p an ungoverned, saucy, good-for-noth-
lg?' d,
'You are unreasonable" she answered, y
oily. turning to the weeping child once /
iore and wiping the tears from his {
ushed. excited face. ANY one could Il
.e that It would be foolish to try an a
u a time like this u
Still the little prince could not be quiet, D
nd in a moment mamma rose decidedly. p
she said. q
Mono! l want TO stay! l want to
/ do!' o.
little mother found II hard enough ~
lit the struggling, screaming boy out y,
the chair to which he chung, and II was -
nall wonder that during the operation =
le of his wildly flying feet shot a glass ~
water from the table to crash in pieces ~
the flood. {"
Bert started up. f,
Il shall punish him for that" he said. In
The small woman put her child behind w
r. He chung to her. frightened into n,
cnoe by the sound Of the breaking ~
.ss. -
shall not even touch him while -
u are angry she cried. he
1 shall punish my boy-when 1 think III
shall never strike my baby while 10
i've" ~
hey faced each other defantly. hi
oh, very Well" said BERT, after q fe.
use. GO on-go on. You're doing pi
/ admire your method. Teach wi
n TO scream for what he wants until he bli
IS II, and then 10 cali his father names gu
say he hates him. B~y-and-by, when
gets big enough to knock me down bis
feel your work is done. won't you? SIC
Vonderfud-your method! ! should let
nix You would want TO instruct q class wa
nOther's class-why don't you?" In
was too much. She covered her face an
h her hands. BET
Oh" she sobbed: "You cruel sarcas- 1
heartless thing! Oh. l cant bear IL! IA