Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1900-05-05
THE WISH OF HIS HEART
1t was "Buteh's" First pair of long

pants" 10
Butch" of course. isn't his correct
Christian name. It'sI only the name by
which he is knoHn byssfhe boys In 1.-THE lot
His right name Is Reginald, but his mother
Is the only one who calls him that, and he
doesn't like 1t, tanyhew: it's too much like
tho name of a good little boy who gets to
be cashier of aIbank,, in a story book; he
prefers Butch.
Butch" had been pleading with his
mother for long pants-with suspenders at
tached. of course-ever since he'd attained
the puissant age of eight, and he was now
twelve-and still wearing knee pants at
twelve. The humiliation of this almost
overwhelmed the boy
Let the youngster wear long pants II he
wants en-" "Butch's father had said to
wear long pants. 1 wouldn't give cents
Tor boy that didn't. B'lieve 1 wore 'em
when was nine-my dads, Whitfield down.
Of course, l was hustling for a living when
Nv ! was ASH, nine.carrying the hod If remem-
per right, or something like that; but that
doesn't make any difference. If the boys
hankering for long pants go down town to-
morrow and buy him suit
But Reginald's mother demurred.
He'll have good many years to wear
long trousers, and he can't, of course. go
on wearing knickerbockers much longer"
she said; but hate to make the change.
liz SoCH d Chubby, Snapely boy, etc.
When Butch" found couple Of months
ago, That all of his pleadings for long pants
weren't goins to avail him any, and that the
best he could get from his mother was
vague promise that shed see" about letting
him put them on when school took up in
the fall he made up his mind that he
couldn't wait. He was the more resolved
In his heart because the idol of his soul
(aetat eleven, and named Mildred) had
passed him by for a boy of his own age
who wore long pants, and she walked hons
from school with this victorious youth
every afternoon. That wasn't to be lightly
endured. Butch" reflected. He was going
to have long pants, and that's all there
was about it.
Butch" got a newspaper route unbe-
known to his mother or father-although he
had to do lot Of hustling to get through
his route in time to be on hand for dinner.
On Saturdays he worked in a downtown
store for half dollar per Saturday, wrap
ping bundles, sweeping out, running er-
rands, and so on. His mother didn't miss
him on the school holidays, supposing him
to be down in the lot as usual, playing
foot ball or base ball or shiny.
When Butch got through his days work
on Saturday last he had s. saved UP. For
over week he'd had his eye on a suit
that he thought would about At him,
marked 81. He Went to the store where it
was exhibited, tried it on with natural
feeling of exultation when he looked down
and saw the length of the pants. paid for
ders for quarter. had the suit and the
suspenders wrapped up and took them
home. The plans he had made for Snug
Cling the suit and the 'suspenders into his
home didn't have to be put into operation.
for mis- father and mother We're at the the
alter when he arrived home.
His mother called up the stairs, "Regi-
maid, it is time for you to get up and have
your breakfast and go to Sunday school,,
three times the next morning, and on each
occasion Reginald answered .'Yes'm," and
turned over on the other side and went to
sleep.
Then his father went to the bottom OF the
stairs, said 'Butchr' just once, and the boy
hoped out of bed.
Butch" had polished his shoes the night
before. and he logged himself out gorgeous
ly in his new 81 suit, with mingled feelings.
He didn't know what was going to happen
when he got downstairs. He figured that he'd
be allowed to wear EN- to Sunday school,
anyhow, for he'd purposely delayed dress
wouldn't have time to change into his
knickerbockers and If he was only per-
mttted to wear them once. so that his hated
rival and the perfidious Mildred should see
them, he. felt that would be something,
anyhow.
''Ready for breakfast, Butch?" his father
called up the stairs.
"Yessir,t said Butch" giving himself
final hitch, and then he went downstairs,
where his mother and father were already
at the morning meal. He walked into the
dining room az II everything was about as
Reginald Nextdoory . exclaimed his
mother and Reginald looked awkward.
Where did You get those clothes?'
The boys father was sitting back in his
chair with a grin of establishment. -..
bought EN-" replied Reginald. sticking
his hands into the side pockets Of his long
pants"
father asked him, trying to iron out the
grin that persisted in sticking to his fea-
lures.
The boy modestly told of the employ
ments he had found in order to acquire
sufficient wealth wherewith to purchase the
suit
Reginald Nextdoor, you'll go right down
with me tomorrow morning and exchange
that suit for suit with knee pants! The
idea of such thing." exclaimed his moth
err looking at his father for support. Go
right upstairs and take them off this min
uter'
The boy hung his head. His father, who
had been looking out Of the window, hand
ed the boy quarter.
Just run out and get me couple OF pa
pers first, son." he said to the boy and
Butch" perceiving something hopeful in
his fathers Tone put on his cap and went
out
1.-The idea of such thing.' his mother
said to his father, as soon as the front door
had closed on the boy. The father went to
the window and tried to look severe and
judicial. but it didn't work. He couldn't
oTdSo lndt grill
That's all right mother" he said, final
ly. Butch Is all right. and 1 wish you'd
side in with us On this. and not feel badly
about it. i
Richard Nextdeor do believe YOU knew
all about this"' exclaimed the boys mother.
Nope. didn't replied the boys father.
Honest, l didn't. But the boys all right.
He's got the grit. I'd like to have him
keep the suit-Tn put what he paid for it in
his bank-if you wouldn't really greatly
mind. Just indulge Butch and me In This.
won't you? youngsaer that'H go out and
hustle that way deserves announcement"
The boys mother was at the front win
dow, watching for the return of Reginald.
AS he swung across the street, with the
papers in his hand, she said, with a little
gulp. and finger at her lip:
well. he does look manly In them.
doesn't he?"
Then "Butch's" father knew that he
didn't have to say any more. He gave the
boy an expressive look when he. came in.
Butch" sat down to his breakfast, went to
Sunday school. and when he came back he
walked alongside the tickle Mildred. while
the other boy Jagged sulkily in the rear,
The Reason.
From Life. -rs..as. -..
"Brayalot was Just complaining to me
that he finds 1t almost impossible to get