The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1900-11-15


been very i'll, and was now mending
slowly. As she entered the gate, a
maidservant carrying a tray with q
tiny covered pitcher, came out of the
house opposite. Now, the arrival of
this dainty little tray-which never
failed to come over at lunch time--was
, the event of Johnny Skeletons day, and
the contents of that altogether delight
full little pitcher formed his most en-
! joyable meal. Mrs. Bolton knocked
loudly and walked in, as was her won't;
/ but as she turned to shut the door she
saw the servant, and stopped to take
4 the message.
wait a minute, Jane" she said, land
/ I'll give you back he pitcher"
mo matter. ma'am. Mrs. Truman
expects the tray % go up to Johnny as
it stands"
NO, I'd rather empy the pitcher;
there is always a chance of getting
/ things broken"
! So she turned into the dining-room,
and poured the contents of the pitcher
into one of the children's thick china
breakfast mugs, returned the pitcher
and tray to Jane, and went triumphant
~ upstairs with the mug in her hand.
Mrs. Shelton met her at the door
"Oh, is it you, Mrs. Bolton? Excuse my
not coming down. thought | heard
James voice, and called to her o come
up
"Jane was there; but | gave her back
the pitcher, and brought the stuff up
to save trouble. Here, Johnny. don't
you want your corn-starch?'
1t was pitiful to see how the thin lit
tie face fell, and what a piteous look
came into the big eyes as the mum Der
and magnitude of his misfortunes
dawned upon Johnny. No peep into
the mysterious little pitcher, no fold
ing up of the edged dolly, no studying
of the wonderful japanese tray while
mamma poured the cornstarch or the
| soup into his own little pink cup-but
instead this horrid old Clipped mug of
Dicky's!
Don't put in any sugar, Mrs. Boil
toni" exclaimed Mrs. SHELTON. John
| ny doesn't like things sweet"
"Oh. children always like sugar." re-
joined Mrs. Bolton, calmly, dipping up
a spoonful from the little sugar-dish on
the mantel-piece 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, "Tll make
you something else
But Johnny shook his head. He
wanted that, not something else-and
it was all spoiled!
"Are you not ashamed to be such a
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 stifed sob heaved up
now and then.
well" said Mrs. Bolton, after wait
| ing in vain for an answer, "if there is
nothing else | can do to help you, Mrs.
skeleton, ! will go on and see how Mary
Caruthers is. Goodby. Johnny Ihope
YOU mean to be a good boy, and not
worry your poor mother So"
Johnny's tears burst afresh as the
'oor closed behind her
81 didn't mean to be bad, mamma:
but | couldn't help i'll"
81 know you couldn't, darling" she
| replied. and stood silently stroking his
hair and wondering how she could
make up for his disappointment. 4 gen
tie tap was heard al the door. and Mrs.
Truman entered. bringing another
charming little pitcher with a butter.
| fly for a handle.
Jane told me that Mrs. Bolton haG
taken the tray" she remarked. smil-
ingly, $50 | 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 a.
when she had left Miss Martha's.
| Johnny's -ingratitude had rather upset
her, and she felt disposed to take
gloomy views of the selfshness of hui
man nature.
She turned into the gate of pretty
cottage. and being admitted-not with
the best grace in the worldly the
| red-armed cook. betook herself to the
nearest door tapped at it, and entered.
Two girls We're 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
'ay on n lounge. the other sat on q
| low chair. sewing. Mrs. Bolton drew
a chair close to the lounge, and, after
minute inquiries into the inyalid's all
ments. inqured
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