Republican news item. [volume] (Laport, Pa.) 1896-19??, 1901-07-25
A Case OF
SCATTER -BRAINS.'
BY MARGARET l.. KNAPP.


THE trouble with Billy is he's scat
erbrained.''
AS Mr.. Lennon said this he filled a
dipper at the pump and approached the
teakettle. The tin lid was upside down
and very hot. He gave it hasty flip
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?"
81 don't believe it will. The dip
peril melt, Nathan, if you leave it on
che stove empty"
That's so.' Mr.. Lennon rescued
Che dipper and made fresh onslaught
on the pump.
BILLY means we'll, 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 l sent him to the toolbox for
more nails. There was plenty of 'em
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, swmmin'
in tacks. Much as ever l can get
things Strengthened out again"
Mrs. Lennon laughed. She laughed
easily. She was distinctly a genial
person.
81 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 I do. You're filling the ket-
tie too full, Nathan; it's spillins over.
Yes, you're born absent minded. He
cant get over it all in a minute. We
nust guide him some. Now, if you'll
Wing the horse around, I'll be ready
Ago as soon as the apple sauce is off
stove"
tDear me, they're as helpless as kit
teas about some things" she thought
affectionately, tying the strings of her
Sunday bonnet in a firm, square bow.
She looked out of the window at Bill
iy, freckledfaced 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 | drive?" he asked as
she came out.
Course expect you to drive When
J. young man takes me to town, he
has to do the driving
Billy clambered into the wagon with
IN important air. Mrs. LEBANON stood
waiting.
There's another thing young
j1an's got to do that takes me to ride"
she said, after minute.
What"
"Turn the wheel out so can get in"
tT forgot" Billy turned out sharply.
"Take care-take care! You'll be
over on the other side the road" eau
toned his father, coming up to the
fence, anXiously. 1t 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.
1t was because she brought an ele-
ment of fun into the business. He
felt excited, like Billy.
mo, we're all right. Well, goodby!"
Mr.. Lennon looked after his wife's
erect, comely figure. 81 guess they'll
get where they say they will as long
as she's in the wagon" he thought.
''He was dreadful pleased to have the
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 door in the front
for the hens to go in and out. He had
laid the floor and nailed on three sides
the day before, and he regarded it
with satisfaction. She'll say it's a
good job" he thought.
"Queer how she come to say what
she did about Billy" he continued
rive told him, don't know how many
times, to just put his mind right on
it-nail it right in. That's what Billy
needs"
And then for time there were no
sounds about the place but the sharp
tap! tap, of the hammer.
1t was dark when Mrs. Lennon and
Billy drove into the yard Mr.. Lem
mon did not come out to take the
horse.
'Pa said he might have to go down
to the meadow before we got back,
said Billy.
"You and will have to unharness