Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1895-08-08
A SWEET INCENTIVE.


$ filled with blue and red and purp
trumpets that seemed to need only
hint from the south wind to thro
them into musical ecstasies. The gree
: peas were keeping up remonstratin
tinkle Of their own, dropping into tn
bright tin basin as Esther pushe
them out Of shelter-like tenant
elected by cruel landlord from thei
| little green cottages
| Esther's dreaming was interrupte,
! by voice issuing from the windoy
above the porch; Esther, Esther
what did you do with my cuffs
Esther, I'll be late; Joe's waiting TO
mel"
Somehow eighteen-year-old Esthcl
seemed always in demand by some one
OF the three motherless little brother.
and sisters Of the household.
Dear me, that boyl What shall
do with hin?' and Esther's forehead
assumed a complicated pattern Of
lines and CROSSINGS. She brushed the
pods from her lap, and hurried up the
stairs. Rob what do know about
your cuffs9 Do you suppose I'm wear
ing them? Why don't you leave your
things where they belong?" Here she
picked up one Of the missing articles
from the floor, where il had slipped be-
hind the little round table. Il wish
you wouldn't lie In bed so late.
Iherel' producing the other cuff from
behind the curtain on the window.
ledge. Now hurry down, Robby. III
have Jane scramble you an egg. You
cant go off without your breakfast"
l"oh, thanks!' said Rob, as he ad.
1usted his recovered linen. 81 know
oversight this morning Couldn't help
1t, really. Papa gomez
"of course What do you suppose
would become Of us all If he went on
your principles I'm afraid Rob,
that unless you mend your ways you'll
nave togive up your hope Of being a doe
Tor when you are grown up. Your pa
tients would oil die before you got to
them And Esther hurried to the
kitchen to ask Jane to help her pre-
pare nice little breakfast for the rec
reant brother.
Some folks, said Jane, hadn't
ought to have any breakfast" with
which very general observation she
scurriea to the pantry, bringing forth
two specially large eggs While these
were "scrambling' she toasted a slice
OF bread a delicate brown, and stopped
even in her irritation, to select tho
red-banded plate that was Rob's cspe.
cial favoritc Really Jane did more
for him than many queens Of tn,
Kitchen would have done under SINH.
lar circumstances. But then she Ind
helped cuddle him when he was n
fuzzy-headed baby; and now that he
was a curly-haired, needless, lovable
boy OF twelve, was she the one to 90
back on him? A Gathering down the
back stairs announced his coming lie
approached the table with more haste
than elegance,
Hell be a dyspeptic by the time he's
grown up thought Esther, as she
watched the fast disappearing vlands.
You're both awful good,o said Rob
between mouthfuls; "and SOS this
toast Wish had time for another
piece"
Now, Roy, try to be home in time
or luncheon" pleaded Esther. "You
inow how it annoys papa to have YOU
'lways late; and then think of the ex.
nipple you set the other children
That's So, said Rob, whose birth |
ay had been celebrated on the week /
'efore. 'Tll try-honest, | will
And he did try, and succeeded in be-
ng only three minutes late that noon. |
Tut Esther shook her head at the three |
and her busy brain concocted t
little scheme. G
She waylaid him on his way to the t.
roquet ground Il
Rob- ! want to speak to you mo- II
lent." il
"All right, say on" said Rob, looking N
easantly attentive. n
Nrm going to make bargain with Il
~. II you will be on time at every HI
cal the next four days--breakfasts W
well as all the others--I'lI let YOU "
i've candy pull at the end of that
me. You can have three or four Of w
e boys you like best and" R
Good for youl" interrupted Rob. hi
le prospect of q candy pull is gem W
ally an alluring one to the juvenile tn
ind, and Rob's was no exception. m
hake hands omit. If don't fulfill on
part OF the contract, I'll know the tn
lson why" Fl
so shall l." answered Esther, de- an
rely. ut will be because you for an
t or didn't mean to stay SO long at mi
fishing pond, Or ny
Say, now that isn't fair" laughed OF
b. good-naturedly. "I'll show YOU. ag
be perfectly safe to invite the see
Us in advance, but perhaps I'd better my
t." abb
No; better wait and see how YOU no
ne out" and Rob fancied Esther me
ked trifle skeptical. 1t put him ma
his mettle.
,sther's scheme" worked like 10
'rm. The next day Bob was one of Is {
first to answer his fathers good no
rning' at the breakfast table chs
Well, now" said Mr.. Jordan, as he a
wed the youthful faces around him, h'V
dispensed the griddle cakes, "it's wa
asant to sit downall together, Let's 'he ne,
p it up, Bob. tell you, punctualty
great thing aud Bob nodded re- cur
ctfully, though his fathers remark
not bear for him the charm OF nov ,ne
!. = 'V' BILE.
hree days passed. Bob was beam uep
with prldein his own improvement,
l.