The Camden chronicle. (Camden, Tenn.) 1890-current, 1901-09-06
A CASE OF
SCATTER BRAINS
by MARGARET L. KNAPP.

The trouble with Billy is he's scat
ter-brained."
AS Mr. Lennon said this he filled
clipper at the pump and approached the
teakettle. The tin lid was upside down
and very hot. He gave it a hasty flip
which landed 1t in the midst of the APP
pie sauce simmering close by, and
poured in the water triumphantly.
Like TO got scalded that time" he
said, fishing out the teakettle lid. 1T
won't hurt the sauce, will it?"
Il don't believe it will. The dip
peril melt, Nathan, if you leave it on
the stove empty"
That's So" Mr.. Lennon rescued
the dipper and made q fresh onslaught
on the pump
Billy means well, if he would only
keep his mind on the main thing" he
went on. Hes anxious to help.
haven't told you what he did yester-
day. | sent him to the toolbox for
more nails There was plenty of EN-
there, but he took a notion that it
would be a good thing if he was to
sort over the whole box. and emptied
everything out on the ground. l come
to see what he was doing to keep him
so long, and there he was, swimmin'
in lacks. Much as ever can get
things Strengthened out again"
Mrs. Lennon laughed. She laughed
easily. She was distinctly a genial
person.
Il can't think where he gets it from"
added Mr.. Lennon.
'He gets it from his father" an
swered Mrs. Lennon Unexpectedly,
''Why you don't say" Mr.. Lem
mon turned around to see what she
meant.
Certain do You're filling the ket-
tie too full, Nathan; it's splitting over.
Yes, you're both absent-minded. He
can't get over it all in a minute. We
must guide him some. Now, if you'll
bring the horse around, I'll be ready
to go as soon as the apple sauce is off
the stove"
Dear me, they're as helpless as kit
tens about some things, she thought
affectionately tying the strings of her
Sunday bonnet in firm, square bow.
She looked out of the window at Bill
Iy, freckled-faced boy of 10, who was
tramping up and down beside the old
horse Mrs. Lennon was Billy's step
mother, and he had decided opinions
about her,
she takes my part, Billy said. "she
takes pas part, too. l don't know
who's side she's on-everybody's, l
guess. She's great?'
'Ma, say, can l driver" he asked, as
she came out.
Course expect you to drive. When
a young man takes me to town, he
has to do the driving"
Billy clambered into the wagon with
an important air. Mrs. Lennon stood
waiting.
There's another thing a young
mans got to do that takes me to ride, "
she said, after minute.
"What?"
Turn the wheel out so l can get in. J."
81 forgot" Billy turned out sharply.
s'Take care-take care! You'll be
over on the other side the road!" eau
toned his father, coming up to the
fence, anxiously. It was not the gen
-eral custom to see, ones wife off every
time she went to the village. Mr.
Lennon did not know why he did it.
It was because she brought an ele-
ment Of fun into the business. He
felt excited, like Billy.
"No, we're all right. Well, goodby!'
Mr. Lennon looked after his wife's
erect, comedy figure. Il guess they'll
get where they say they will as Ions
as she's in the wagon" he thought
''He was dreadful pleased to have tht
reins. She understands boys"
The place looked lonely to Mr.. Lem
mon as he went back to the chicken
coop he was making. 1t was a good
sized coop, with a door in the from
for the hens to go in and out. He hat
laid the floor and nailed on three side
the day before, and he regarded i
with satisfaction. She'll say it's
good job, he thought.
Queer how she come to say wha
she did about Billy" he continued
eve told him, don't know how man
times, to just put his mind right o.