The Forrest City times., 1895-07-19
ORREST CITY, ARK. FRIDAY AFTERNOON JULY 10, 1885,

She waylaid him on his way to the
croquet ground.
Rob, want to speak to you a mo-
ment."
"All right, say on" said Rob. looking
pleasantly attentive.
I'm going to make bargain with
you. If you will be on time at every
meal the next four days--breakfasts
as well as all the others-Fll let you
have candy pull at the end of that
time. You can have three or four of
the boys you like best, and"
Good for you!" interrupted Rob.
The prospect of candy pull is gen.
orally an alluring one to the juvenile
mind, and Rob's was no exception
Shake hands on it. If don't fulfill
nv part of the contract. I'll know the
reason why"
$50 shall l." answered Esther, de-
murely. 1T will be because you for
got or didn't mean to stay so long at
the fishing pond, or"
Say, now, that isn't fair" laughed
Bob. good-naturedly. 'I'll show you.
I'd be perfectly safe to invite the
boys in advance, but perhaps I'd better
not"
mo; better wait and see how you
come out" and Rob fancied Esther
looked trifie skeptical 1t put him
on his mettle.
Esther's scheme" worked like a
charm. The next day Bob was one of
the first to answer his fathers good
morning" at the breakfast table
We'll, now" said Mr.. Jordan, as he
viewed the youthful faces around him,
and dispensed the griddle cakes, Its
pleasant to sit down all together. Let's
keep it up, Bob. / tell you, punctuality
is great thing" and Bob nodded re-
spectfully, though his fathers remark
did not bear for him the charm of nov
city.
Three days passed. Bob was beam
ing with pride in his own improvement,
and in anticipation of the promised re-
ward. The fourth morning he was
the first to slip into his chair at the
breakfast table, and it was at least an
hour before luncheon that he left the
fishing pond and repaired to the side
porch, so as to be sure of hearing
James summons to the dining-room.
bob, I'm proud of you,' said Esther;
"Tll have Jane order the molasses this
evening"
You're brick, Esther" said Rob
1T isn't so awfully hard to be on time,
after all; and Pm going to keep it up,
too"
The summer afternoon passed away;
it was five minutes of six, and the
children clamored for dinner Rob had
not put in an appearance, though Es-
ther's fingers were giving the finishing
touches to the table. The minute-hand
seemed to speed over the face of the
cuckoo clock; she felt as if it were
trying to cheat Rob, and looked
anxiously down the path, hoping to
see the boyish figure dash in sight
"Cookoo. cookoo!" began the old
clock, triumphantly. Still no Rob.
Esther was tempted to have Jane de-
lay the ringing of the dinner bell. but
restrained the impulse. 1t would be
violating the compact, and, besides,
Rob must learn self-reliance, and ex-
pect the consequences of his own heed
lessness. So the dinner bell added its
voice to that of the cookoo clock, and
it was a funeral knell, as well as a
business-like summons todinner, for
it tolled the untimely death of Esthers
little project. When the family assem-
bled, there was an empty chair at the
table.
''Oh, dearw walled Sue; and "How
meant" added Freddy, giving the table
leg vicious kick; for you see, Rob had
indiscreetly confided to them his secret
the day before. and they were looking
forward to the caudy-pull as much as
he. AS for Esther, she was thoroughly
disappointed in Rob, and she had be-
gun to have such hope of him; it was
too bad.
Dinner was half over when Rob,
flushed and breathing heavily, entered
the room Such chorus of reproaches
greeted him from the children that
papa and Esther forbore to add their
voices
You keep still till your opinions
asked, said Rob, goaded into this re-
proof by the childrens gratuitous crit
icisms of his tardiness.
Yes, children, be quiet" said Mr..
Jordan. You speak rather roughly,
my boy; but know that you are dis
appointed. and your sister and l are
almost equally So"
Rob attacked the beefsteak in si-
lence, and the rest of the meal was a
quiet one. Esther fingered after il
was over, half expecting 50 me explana,
ton; but, beyond the remark that he