Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1893-10-12
A BOYS ROOM.
His Experience at Taking Care of
It Himself


the bed, and then looked around for his
collar
~ wonder, now, II that collars been
carried off to the washl DUST like
Susanl II ever I get hold of one that
fits me better than any other, and
would like TO hold on TO II for little
while, off 1t goes. Oh, here tits. for
got was standing by the window
when took IL off, and left Il on the
sill But it's all limp Dear me, what
drawerl | wonder who interferes
with my things? I'm sure ! never got
II into such n middle as this"
Stirring among collars and neckties,
turning things up and down in u way
that would lead anyone reasonably TO
give him credit for any amount of DIS
order, Fred at length found a collar.
Now, my necktie. Where did | put
the one wore in the morning, when
dressed in the afternoon? of course,
some one was in here Strengthening up
my room. never know where TO find
anything after that Come in"
Fred turned face full of abused ex-
preston toward the door as his moth
er's entrance followed her tap upon 1t.
Good morning. Are you ready for
breakfast, dear? Here is one Of your
necSties."
Eyes, the very one was looking for.
Who took II away2"
Susan carried away for the wash the
clothes you took Off when you dressed,
and this was among them. You must
have thrown IL down"
Eyes, ! knew somebody must have
been here"
"My dear boy" mother looked around
with discouraged face, show often
must speak TO you about keeping
your things in better ordcrp You really
get worse and worse. | come In here
and set the room TO rights, and by the
next day twill be as untidy us before"
20 mother, tidy may do very well
for girls or women. It's real girls
word, think"
Good for either boys or girls. am
sorry to see such an ugly habit growing
with you"
Really, mother" said Fred, with a
return OF the injured look, zone would
think from your talk that You thought
1t real sin-that you look upon II as
you might look upon lying or stealing
and such"
mo. But in evil habit is evil make
the best you can of IL. Its indulgence
is sure to have an evil effect upon the
character. A person slouchy and SLOW
emily in his small habits is pretty likely
to be so in the greater thing in his life,
I wonder you don't find enough incon-
venience from your carelessness TO lead
you TO wish to improve"
"My carelessness, mother? Why, II
my things could only be left alone, I'd
get along well enough. When | come
into the room, never know where to
find anything, because so o one has
been setting things in order. OF course
don't mean, mother dear, that all you
do Is not the very best that could he
done; but boy, you know" Fred put
on dignihed air, cant be expected to
be just like girl, and ought think
to be allowed to follow out his own
way a little In his own room"
"IIow do you think it would work II
you were left to your own way2" said
his mother with a smile.
"Entirely9 Why, mother, think it
would be fine"
"Ihave great mind to let you try
| it," she said
"Do, motherw said Frod, eagerly. ~
never could SEQ the use-with all re-
spect for you, you understand-of this
everlasting sweeping and busting. III
agroo TO take entire charge OF the room
II may be left 10 myself"
"Well," said mother, still with the
smile, ~ think Susan would better
make your bed"
mo" interposed Fred. Sometimes
I have things lying there that don't
want touched"
"Then she need only attend TO the
washstand You may bring me any
thing which needs mending, for I'm
afraid that II might make the keeping
Of our agreement difficult for me II !
made visits to the room"
~ will. | want to do the sweeping
myself-that is, II It needs any sweep
ing-for Susan always plays the mis-
chief with my specimens"
you may try it." And mother went
down to breakfast, still smiling
For few days Fred rejoiced in his
new.found freedom, as he called it
freedom to fling his things this way
and that, in full assurance that he
would have the delight of finding them
exactly where he had flung them.
But must say 1t gets little mo-
notonous," he admitted to himself,
with little shake OF his head, ito find
all my coats and vests and trousers
piled together on the same chair, aud
TO hunt among dirty collars for clean
ones Who could have dreamed that
mother settled up for me SO often2
But IL is q privilege TO have a chsnce
to keep my specimens Just as want 10
keep them"
But even a privilege may be over
done, Fred was obliged 10 acknowledge
one morning not long after. He had
brought a friend in to see his geologic
al specimens and his collection Of but
terflies.
As usual, he had set things out of his
hands Just where II was most con-
venient TO set them. Arriving at home
rather late in the evening, he had come
in hastily and gone 10 bed in the dark,
having forgotten TO bring up any
matches
Well" he exclaimed, sitting up in
bed 10 take rather a disconsolatc view
OF his surroundings, 'if j chose TO con-
Tess IL, wouldn't mind having mother
and Susan too--to slSirmish about here
for awhile, How did come TO set
those trays and boxes on tho foot OF
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