The Caucasian. (Clinton, N.C.) 188?-1913, 1897-12-09

certain instructions which cau5ed
the latter TO smile all over her broad,
good natured face.
When Frankie opened his eyes
next morning, Mamma wa dressing
baby Baby Grace, and the using
bell had just ceased to ring.
lie sprang out of bed and began
dressing.
"Why ] slept awful sound" was
his SURPRISE comment. "Mamma,
please button my kilt"
"Oh, DEAR" groaned Mamma, as
she reluctantly proceed to do as re-
quested, "here Grace and ] were all
ready to 90 down stairs. That's al
ways the way" Frankie ga7ed at
her in amozed.
"Why, Mamma" he protested, 81
asid please"
81 don't care, answered NJ smmp.
81 wanted to 90 downstairs. /
never can do what want to do"
Prankie's brown eyes opened wide.
Could this he his patient, obliging
Mamma? lie thought she m ust BE-
sick, and. tried to do everything for
himself and not trouble her any
more than was absolutely neces
sary.
Mamma fastened his collar and
brushed his hair, grumbling all the
time, and the little boy went down
stairs in an unusually thoughtful
frame of mind.
'l'll pick Mamma nosegay," he
said, Frightening, after moments
reflection.
"That will make her feel better"
lie danced out to the garden and
gathered the brightest, sweetest roses
he could find. These he laid at
Mammals plate, smiling at himself
Theu the breakfast bell rang and h.
took his place, watching his Maui
mas face very eagerly as she came
in, followed by Papa ard Baby
Grace.
"Ob, dea'." sighed Mrs. Joyce, as
her eyes fell on the nosegay, "these
are nothing but roses, and | wante,
lilies. Its too bad" and she pushed
the flowers without further noticing
them.
Such q lump a. came up tito
Prankie's throat! But he swallowed
it bravely and tried to look uncon-
cerned.
Grandma came 10, and the morn
ing meal began.
"Beefsteak eLd flied potatoes"
said Papa scowling at each dish i'll
turn. al think Mary might have
tossed up an omelet and broiley
some fish. But l never can have
what do want"
Frankie could scarcely believe his
ears! Papa complaining at the table
This was decidedly new experience.
He even forgot to be as fault-find-
ing as usual himself, and almost
tumbled out of his chair when Mary
brought in plate of golden-brown
cakes, and Mr.. Joyce with a close
imitation of Prankies disseminated
tones, muttered:
"Buckwheat cakes when | want. d
some fresh mullins. Oh, dear!"
Somehow, he didn't seem to have
much appetite this morning, and he
was heartily glad when this uncom-
Portable breakfast was over and he
was ut liberty to leave the table.
Papa went down town, and for
some time Prankie hung around
Mamms, trying in various ways to
bring q smile to her face. But
nothing pleased her, and fiually he
gave up in despair and went off to
find Grandma.
Grandma" he said, as he threw
himself down on stool at the dear
old lady's feet and nestled his curly
head against her knee, "xon't you
tell me story?'
"Oh, bsther!"
Frankie Strengthened up in sur
prise. Could that be Grand
voice? The whole world must be
wrong side out to-day.
"Can't Mary tell you a stor,?"
whinned Grandma, discontently,
"l'm in such hurry to read The
Ladies World"
The little boy went away without
another word. 1t was all very be-
wildering indeed. What could have
changed everybody SO?
He thrust his head in at the
kircnen door. Mary had just finish
Ell batch of seed cakes, and set
snem on the table to cool.
:Oh, Mary" he cried eagerly, for
getting his recent disappointments,
''msy have one, please?"
81 haven't got time to make cook
les for little boys" answered Mary,
ungraciously, and Frankie went
slowly away.
All day it was Just the same.
iapa found fault with the soup at
dinner, and wished it was oyster in
stead of vermicelli. Mamma com
planned when he asked her to tie a
string to his new kite, and said she
wanted to rock Baby Grace. and she
never could do anything she liked"
And, curelest of all, when Prank
lie climbed up in Grandma's lap and
begged for q kiss, she said she didn't
Ike TO hold little boys. She "wished
Frankie was q nice little girl" and
sks never could have anything she
wanted"
Pnn.i, wei t out in the garden
among the a wers and did some
AArd tiinkiDg. He had begun to