Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1900-08-16

Hello, Miss Mortimeri" he said; 81
say, you did give me a fright"
Miss Mortimer was sitting on G
fallen tree-trunk just in the shadow
of the wood. She held her index
finger between the pages of a book
Il can't get away from these people
anyhow; it's sickening!" Tommy
thought.
I'm sorry 1 frightened you," saic
Miss Mortimer. What are you do.
ing there?"
Tickling said Tommy.
"Tickling?"
Tickling loach."
SIS that a fish,"
yes" said Tommy; "I've just
caught one. You may come and look
at it if you like"
Miss Mortimer laid down her book
and stepped across to the side of the
stream.
There it is" said Tommy. SIT
looks a bit queer, doesn't it?"
Very queer. L don't think it's
we'll"
"P'r'aps the fall hurt it,"
very likely, poor thlnS.
Gould we do anything to make it
better?" Tommy asked, stirring it up
with his finger.
Put it back in the stream"
Put it back?' The suggestion was
8 startling that Tommy could hard
ly believe his ears.
Yes, put it back. a dead fish
NU~n11ldnEf ha nnu mood - I-O111I
it? 1t isn't big enough to cook; be-
sides, you wouldn't like to eat a thing
that had died. would you?"
But fish always die before they're
eaten" said Tommy: ."they must, of
course"
But this is a lingering DEATH" said
Miss Mortimer, whose logic was un-
equal to such an argument. do put
it back, Tommy; to please me-" she
added, laying a hand on his shoulder.
"Of course, if you really want me
to-" said Tommy. Then, Frightening
up, Il might catch it again another
day when it's BETTER"
"Of course you might said Miss
Mortimer, gravely.
Then here goes" said Tommy. He
picked up the unfortunate fish, held
it in his hot hand towards the girl
for her closer inspection, and then
dropped it into the stream.
'Thank you, Tommy" said Miss
Mortimer.
81 believe the beast was sham
Wouldn't you sham if you were
caught like that?"
SCI might" Tommy admitted.
"Win you come and talk to me for
3 time? I'm alone, YOU see."
"All right" said Tommy. He would
preferred to go on tickling, but
he was a polite boy to ladies'; besides,
Indoors he was a little
shy of her, but put there he felt that
be could tell her things; already, that
he had taught her
They went together to the fallen
tree and Tommy sat beside Miss Nor
timer and rubbed his pink feet to-
refiectively. She put an arm
his shoulder and stroked his
hair. Tommy rather liked
that, though he would not have said
so for the world.
"What have you been doing all the
Nothing much"
won't you tell me?"
"Oh, if you like!" said Tommy; and
he proceeded to give her an account
Of his unsatisfactory doings. The
theme was engrossing.
Don't you like Mr.. Fitton?"
"He's all right, except when he's
billiards. I collared a piece
Of chalk, though"
He produced the chalk from his
for Miss Mortimer's admira-
Beautiful" she said.
sid like to run away" said Tom
ny, "only 1 couldn't go alone, you
know, could -"
run away!"
It'd be splendid"
81 should rather like to go with
old chap
"Could you?" cried Tommy.
swell, I'm not a boy, you see."
"That doesn't matter"
"Tm afraid it does" said Miss Nor
You could dress up like a boy"
ST wonder how / should look!"
you'd look jolly" said Tommy.
You'd have to have your hair cut,
,hough, or they'd take you for a poet,
II something"
THAT would never do" said Miss
"If we could only do it," said
We'll think about it, shall we?"
"If you like" said Tommy. He did
not fee very hopeful. Even in his
mall experience delays were usually
atal- Miss Mortimer was not slow to
his detection.
Poor TOMMY" she said: you're |
dear boy, and not so very naughty"
The drew him closer and kissed him. |
Tow. Tommy, in the ordinary way,
i'd not care for kisses, but that one |
vas not at all unpleasant, and he
new how funny girls were. After a |
ime, Miss Mortimer cried out sud- |
emily:
"Oh, Tommy, what's that in the
tream?'
Tommy darted off and rescued his
hoes and stockings, which had
into the water from the bank.
lie came back, carrying the shoes,
nto which he had stuffed the stock
ngs, by their laces. He was chuck
-ng delightedly.
81 don't see anything to laugh at"
aid Miss Mortimer.
'It's awfElly funny said Tommy,