The Canton times. (Canton, Miss.) 1893-1906, 1900-08-24
"Don't nut in any sugar. Mrs. Boil

| ny uOesn I ike tnlnSS sweet.
"Oh, children always like sugar." re-
joined Mrs. Bolton, calmly, dipping up
a spoonful from the little sugar-dish on
the mantelpiece and stirring it into
the cornstarch. "Come, Johnnie, drink
this now like good boy"
Poor Johnnie took the cup in his
trembling hands; but the mouthful of
thick china and the sickening sweet
ness of the food were too much for him
he held the cup off despairingly and
burst into tears.
Never mind, son." said his mother,
taking the cup from him, III make
you something else"
But Johnny shook his head. He
wanted that, not something else-and
it was all spoiled!
care you not ashamed to be such
naughty little boy, johnny" sternly
demanded Mrs. Bolton, while his moth
er tenderly stroked the pale little face
half-buried in the pillow, from the
depths of which stified sob heaved up
now and then.
WELL" said Mrs. Bolton, after wait
ing in vain for an answer, eff there is
nothing else l can do to help you, Mrs.
Shelton, will go on and see how Mary
Caruthers is. Good-by, Johnny. hope
you mean to be good boy, and not
worry your poor mother So"
Johnny's tears burst afresh as the
door closed behind her.
81 didn't mean to be bad, mamma;
but l couldn't help it,"
81 know you couldn't, darling" she
replied, and stood silently stroking his
hair and wondering how she could
make up for his disappointment. A gen
tie tap was heard at the door, and Mrs.
Truman entered. bringing another
charming little pitcher with butter
fly for a handle.
"Jane told me that Mrs. Bolton had
taken the tray" she remarked, smil-
ingly, $50 I went directly into the,pan
try and made Johnny some more!"
Mrs. Bolton, meanwhile. pursued her
way; but the summer of her content
was not quite so sweet and warm as
when she had left Miss Martha's.
Johnny's ingratitude had rather upset
her, and she felt disposed to take
gloomy views of the selfishness of hui
man nature.
She turned into the gate of pretty
cottage, and being admitted-not with
the best grace in the worldly the
redarmed cook, betook herself to the
nearest door, tapped at it, and entered.
Two girls were the only occupants of
the room-a dainty girls room, as
sweet and fresh as the owners heart.
One of the girls, evidently an invalid,
lay on lounge, the other sat on
low chair, sewing. Mrs. Bolton drew
a chair close to the lounge, and, after
minute inquiries into the invalid's all
ments, inquired:
"Where is your mother, my dear?
hope she has not broken down from
over-fatigue?'
''Oh, no!' quickly replied Jessie Ca
ruthers, needless of her sisters warn
ing frown, "she has only gone to the
picnic for an hour or two; we thought
the fresh air would do her so much
good. When she comes back to take
charge of Mary, am to 60"
what picnic? l never heard any
thing of picnic"
"Oh, it is quite an informal thing"
said Mary Caruthers; Just few fam
lilies that have agreed to spend the |
day together in the woods just out
side the village"
"Ah, that's where Lawrence Steele |
was dashing to this morning, with his
road-cart full of flowers! / might have |
known something was on hand! What
& pity that you can't go, Mary-you
used to enjoy these things so much!
And now here you are, shut up in a
while the other young peo-
pie are walking about and gathering
81 must not think of it." said Mary,
gently; but her eyes filled with tears,
and for an instant a wild longing seized
her-a craving such as only those who
are cut off from the outside world can
know-for the free breath of the hill
sides, and the tender green of the
spring woods, and the gurgle of the
running stream.
at does seem a shame. too" Mrs
Bolton continued, that Jessie can't
spend the whole day in the woods when
she can enjoy it! Stop. have it-Jes-
sic, run and put your things right on;
III take care of Mary for you. Then
you can tell your mother not to hurry,
you know"
81 don't quite think mamma would
like it," said Jessie, hesitatingly.
"Oh, nonsense! Run right off and
get ready; your mother won't mind"
Jessie knew that her mother would