The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1894-04-22
A Dog For n Frog.
(By Grace Stuart Reid

Tom had been called twice but he still
lay in bed and gazed at the balcony out
side his window. The top OF the iron
railing looked to him like row of muf-
fin rings and he thought how pleasant
1t would be If the rings were filled with
hot buttered mullins and he could reach
them from his bed with a long toasting
fork. AS that could not be. when Maria
came to call him for the third time, he
asked her to tell his mother that the
knee he hurt at cricket felt az IL II
might pain him again, and he thought he
had better have his breakfast in bed.
"Plenty Of sugar on my oatmeal" he
called after Maria's retreating form, and
forgetting the afflicted knee, hoped out
OF bed to hear how she would give his
message.
IF you please. ma'am." she said when
she reached the dining room. Il can't
rout him out of bed, and he wants
sugar on his oatmeal on account Of a
crick In his knee"
Tom heard his mother laugh, and then
his fathers cane ratified against the
hatstand in the hall. He knew well what
that meant.
snake your appearance in double-quick
time"
He dressed as fast as he could. but he
was so provoked at the crooked way
Maria had given his message that he
stopped to fire a pop-gun at her when he
heard her running down the alley under
his window. She screamed, threw up her
hands, and dropped a pitcher with a
crash on the flags.
When Tom arrived In the dlning-room,
she was In tears in the buffers pantry,
and his mother was with her. giving out
the long sentences she always composed
when excited.
1T is bad enough. Maria" said Mrs.
Nichols, ito have Jane and the milkman
so forgetful and you running for cream
when you ought to be waiting OH the la
Bile; but to think, with all the pitchers
of every kind l have bought for this
house, that you should go to the reserve
china closet and take out my pet jug.
/ have not one that has been as much
admired and that always seems to come
in so when the table Is set for company
and the Rhodes are coming tomorrow
and I am sure / cannot replace Il, and
IL could I don't see these hard times
how / could spend the money for it.
really think. Maria, l ought to take the
price Of 1t from your next months
wages
Maria's tears flowed faster than ever
The unfortunate girl was sure the hard
times in New York never were anything
like what they were in Ireland. where
the only poor old mother one had wa:
waiting for the little bite she ate to come
from America.
Tom stood before the newspaper behind
which his father mad barricaded himself
against the war in the pantry.
Papa" said he. lit really was more
my fault than Maria's for frightened
her with a pea-shooter.'
Mr.. Nichols put aside his paper.
''Then, my son." said he you have be
gun the day with a very bad deed"
Yes, SIR answered Tom, hanging hi
head.
what Us to be done about it," asked
his father looking at him steadily.
II would rather" said Tom, preparing
to remove his roundabout. and wishing h,
had on heavier fianneis. you would
whip me before you go down town thar
wait"
"Wil that mend the cream-jug. AND
comfort your mother, and pay Maria
wages? Mr.. Nichols asked grayely.
His SON looked at him. perplexed. b
HIS father rose and put his paper in hi.
pocket. saying: Il will do without you
company to the car. this morning.
Tom flushed and his lips trembled.
You viii not go to school this fore
noon"
Tom starred. He was lazy. but Ia
was bright and proud of his place In hi
class. 49, '''
rThs pitcher u too Tar gone to b