Eagle River Democrat. [volume] (Eagle River, Vilas County, Wis.) 1893-1896, 1896-02-17

! ter-he'll find his way home when he
wants his victuals, know that. Drat
| the boys, [ say; they're more bother
than they're worth, that's all know;
what with wear and tear, and worry,
more than q dozen girls, one OF EN-
1t was Mrs Greious who delivered
herself after this fashion up the grating
of her laundry-the back area-to a
neighbours lad who had inquired for
cher Tom" the general anathema Of
of the said juvenile, who was apostro-
phised on his disappearance as an
''impedent jackanapes, Of whose
company she was glad her Tom had
been quit.
The fact was, the scolding mother,
with all her seeming harshness, spoiled
her son; she threatened, it is true, but
never carried into effect one Of her
threats.
Yet when Toms whistle was heard,
giving warning of his presence in the
Close somewhere, the sour-visaged
landlady, stroking the suds from her
arms, and stamping her feet as she re-
leased them from her pattens, would
hasten to withdraw from the oven the
frequent baked mug and the bit OF her
ring, or sausage, or meat pie which,
with the discretionary pile Of bread
and butter, awaited the young printer.
After he had finished his supper he
came up to his mother slipped his arm
around her waist and looked up in her
face: ''Mother | have got another
order will you go?"
"Me go? with this pile Of shirts not
seconded, and that bile OF socks? |
don't know what muck you've been
staining this collar with: I've scrub
bed the skin off my knucl1les, and the
plague a bit will it stir;
Its the new ink we're using; likely
the patent. But mother, Pm q going,
then"
''Drat your patents. I say. I wish
you didn t get SO many orders; you've
been | don't know how many times
this month"
"But | haven seen Paul Pry."
"Now, don't you 60 staying for the
second piece mind. or as sure as my
name what's this sir? Your best
jacket, to go to the play, indeed.'
'"The others SO bad, pleaded
Tom.
'.You 60 this minute and change it.
How dare your" But all this time
she was strokirg he suds off, and he
knew it was to set his collar right
behind; and IN ten minutes Tom was
Oh his way to the play in his new
jacket, in high glee, which not the
parting and final resolution that he
should be 'prenticed before that
month was out, could in the least de-
teriorate.
Tom intendedto play the gallant on
this occasion, and called on Agnes
with aninvitation to accompany him
to the theatre, but Agnes declined say
ing she could not leave her old father
alone and suggested that it would
please her very much if he would take
Mrs. Franklen and the child.
Finally. it was settled. Nelly sui
sake of her child, who, indeed stood
much in need Of some excitement and
change: SO Tom prepared himself to
do the agreeable in different manner
from that he had anticipated. But,
as we often unEnowingly reject our
greatest pleasures, Tom found in that
thus forced upon him delight he had
little expected.
1t was by no means to the most
classic retreat Of the drama that Tom
had led his party; but there was q
Paul Pry' OF 10 ordinary merit, and,
besides, piece full of sentiment and
danseuses, and few good songs.
Quickly the lad found his attention
4 loI l. e,4c 1n
hitherto quiet, arge-eyed child at his
side, and finally absorbed in the con
templat OF her delight.
1t was unbounded. The CREST dark
eyes dilated; the little hand was elench-
ed and unclenched convulsively; she
leaned forward as ifshe would spring
into the mist of the orchestral and, as
the last notes OF the singer died AWAY,
she drew Il long breath OF deep salts
faction and delight while her eyes, fol-
lowed the actress with an expression
of such unfeigned admiration and
reverence as would have surely done
that lady good to have seen.
In the comic piece there WAS less en-
thusiasmy but enough childish delight
to make Tom relinquish his last regret
that HIS first offer had been Declined,
and when, In the interval Of an act,
the little girl turned round, and after
studying his unconscious face, as was
her wont, for some minutes, said, lay
ing her hand earessingly on his cheek,
Clearly good, you are, the boy Ia
ture thrilled again.
The act was SO full Of spontaneous
gladness of a heart That overf1owed
with gratitude to the originator Of it's
first delight.
He barely heard Nelly's more meas
ured words of thanks. Il had done
her good to see the pleasure OF her
child-mothers know how much.
Toms hand went to hispocket, and
confused visions of dissipation III the
shape of oysters, am afraid, f1oated
across his minds eye
But a second time Fate interviewed
between his projects and their accom-
plishments.
The little party had left the theatre,