La Junta tribune., 1899-03-04
What One Boy Did.

BY Anna Gnilhnrt Mahnn

N"SA'' poy ., tHtlT
their eyes sparkling with the antici-
patton of the dinner that was before
them. 1t was Clifford Rays birthday
and his mother had said he might
invite eleven OF his friends to a dinner
party.
Clifford was an only child and an
only grandchild and. strange as 1t may
seem, he was blessed with three grand
mothers. The way he came to have
more than his share of grandmothers
was that his mother had married
again, SO there was her mother. his
fathers mother and his step-father's
mother; stranger yet. they lived to-
gether. to all appearances in peace and
concord. and We'd with each other in
pettlng and spelling Master Clifford.
The boys lost no time in starting on
the good things, and they ate as only
healthy, growing boys can eat. They
did not talk much at first. they were
too busy for that; but they enjoyed
themselves thoroughly. which made
Mrs Ray and the three kind old grand
mothers who waited on them. beam
with pleasure.
After they had go. fairly started.
Mrs. Ray unlocked the door OF little
cupboard, built in the wall. and said
smilingly. Now. boys! / am going to
give you your choice of some very fine
wine have all kinds here. and you
can take your choice. In honor Of Cliff
ford's birthday"
"Oh. that's fine, mother!" ex-
claimed Clifford Come. boys. what
kind will you have?"
No one answered, so Mrs. Ray turn
ed to the boy at the head of the table.
George Warner, the biggest of the
twelve. and the most popular: George
usually took the lead in everything.
AS Mrs. Ray turned to him, he an
swered politely. but without the slight
est hesitation. Il won't take any.
thank you. Mrs. Ray"
The boys looked at him in surprise,
and Cliffords mother said, What!
particular! OF course it wouldn't do
for boys to make practice Of drink
ing 1t: but this is something extra.
and glass won't hurt you; 1t will
make a man OF you"
George was tempted to reply that
he knew just what kind of a man it
would make Of him, he had seen men
like that: but he did not like to say
anything rude to Mrs. Ray, so he an
swered politely but as firmly as be-
fore, mo. thank you. I really can't
take it. Please don't urge mel"
Come, now! You won't refuse
lady. I'm sure!"
All eyes were turned on George. He
colored slightly as Mrs. Ray poured
out a glass of the sparkling beverage
and set 1t before him: but his resolve
was not shaken and he repeated, "pm
sorry to have to refuse You anything.
but indeed. can't take It,"
Mrs. Ray was evidently annoyed.
well, won't press you. IL It's
against your principles to drink it."
she said. and turned to the next boy
with. well, you'll take 1t, Harry
Clark?"
Georges refusal had given Harry
courage to act. He knew his mother
would not want him to take the wine:
but he would not have been strong
enough to refuse II 1t had not been for
his friends example. SO he said, II
don't believe I'll take any. either, Mrs.
Ray"
Frank Miller, who sat next to Harry
said the same, and so 1t went all
around the table until it came to Cliff
ford.
You'd better shut up the cupboard,
mother, don't believe any of the fell
lows want it,"
Then they went on eating their din
ner and were soon as merry as II the
interruption had not occurred. The in
cident was seemingly forgotten.
But there was one who did not for
get it. In the next room there was a
listener OF whom none of the boys
were aware. Mrs. Rays brother had
long been n source of trouble to his
family. II was the oid story Of bad
company and then all sorts of dissi-
patton. He had tried one business
after another. to make failure of all.
At last he had gone away. and his
family hoped that the separation from
his old companions might reform him;
but he came back an utter wreck and
failure.
Howard Morse had come in while the
boys were at dinner. He was sober
then: but he intended going out late.