Freeland tribune. (Freeland, Pa.) 1888-1921, 1901-08-21
A Case OF
SCATTER BRAINS"
BY MARGARET l.. KNAPP.

1.-THE trouble with Billy Is he's scat
| ter-brained."
AS Mr.. Lennon said this he filed a
dipper 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 ap-
pie sauce simmering close by, and
poured in the water triumphantly.
Like to got scalded that time," he
said, fishing out the teakettle lid. "It
won't hurt the sauce, will it?'
"I 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 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-
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. come
to see what he was doing to keep him
so long, and there he was, swimmin'
in tacks. Much as ever I can get
things Strengthened out again."
Mrs. Lennon laughed. She laughed
easily. She was distinctly q 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 do. You're filling the ket-
tie too full, Nathan; it's spilling over.
Yes, you're both absentminded. 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
ly, freckled-faced boy of 10, who was
tramping up and down beside the old
horse Mrs. Lennon was Billys 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!"
'CMa, say, can driver" he asked, as
she came out.
Course expect you to drive. When
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 young
mans got to do that takes me to ride"
she said, after minute.
"What?"
"Turn the wheel out so can get In"
u forgot" Billy turned out sharply.
Take care-take care! You'll be
over on the other side the road" cau-
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-
| 10 inf tLn b,,ei
felt excited, like Billy.
"No, we're all right. Well goodby!"
Mr.. Lennon looked after his wife's
erect, comely figure. Il 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 q
good job" he thought.
"Queer how she come to say what
she did about Billy" he continued.
i've 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
Zap! 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, u
said Billy.
"You and | Nill have to unharness