The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1902-10-14
AS HEAD OF THE FAMILY
By EPEs w. SARGENT.

Abner nodded. OF course he knew it.
He had been thinking about it allamorn-
ing, thinking of last year when Martha
r. 'Iommy's voice broke in upon his mus
Ing Il spose you're goin' to be there?''
Hush burned through all the tan of
Abner's cheek. mo, I'm not coming. I
haven't been invited" he said bitterly.
Tommy stood up and laid a persuasive
hand upon his knee. THAT'S lest what
I come over about" he said earnestly.
Il come to invite you as head of the fam
ily.'
Abner stared at him in establishment.
But Tommy was now started and he
launched forth into glowing eulogy of his
plan. Abner lent at first an incredulous
and then a willing ear. In the end Tom
my conquered his doubts.
They say that the bravest deeds go I'M
| heralded. Certain it is that it took the
truest heroism for boy like Tommy to
say to Martha the next evening, "Oh,
saw Abner Jones yesterday an invited
him to come tonight an he's COMMIT!
Martha neither cried nor tainted though
her cheeks, to Tommy's excited gaze,
grew undoubtedly paler Her voice may
have tremlbed little as she said quietly,
VERY well, Tommy"
In the dingy light of the barn that
evening Martha's cheeks were the pinkest.
Her eyes shone like stars. Her Good
| evening, Mr.. JONES'" had been as cool as
politeness admitted, but her whIom
sutton seemed nowise abashed. He leased
the girls and jOked with the men and
helped Tommy to bring in the great heaps
| Of corn.
Tommy had an air of grave Importance
as he distributed the armfuls. He kept
an anxious glance on Martha and when
| CHI 1v cd IN,
fastened to put an armful down by her
| side. That's Abner's place." he said to
| Tom Perkins when he tried to seize the
pile. His tone was so decided that Tom
looked elsewhere for a partner.
Martha was silent when Abner took his
place beside her. Suddenly the young
man gave a cry-"The first red earl
lowed it., passively. it Is true, but she
allowed it. Abner's heart was singing for
JOY
Another moment and he uncovered an
other red ear Again he kissed
Martha. Agani she suffered 1t.
Abner grew bold Others were
finding the coveted ears and distributing
be the lucky one Again and again he
was entitled to claim the forfeit Of a
kiss. He always turned to Martha. The
girls cheeks famed. Tears were shining
| in her blue eyes. Don't, Abner,' she
whispered beseechingly as he bent toward
| her.
"Why not Martha?'
The girl dropped her eyes. you are
making everybody talk she said depre-
catingly.
"Who cares?" he said recklessly. II
don't, if you don't. And, Martha, you
know how you can stop their talking
He seized her hand. We've made up
dear; haven't we?" he asked.
Martha raised her eyes to his, and In
their violet depths he read her answer.
They were saying Good night" on the
porch after all the rest had gone. But.
Abner," she asked wonderingly, "all OF
your ears were red. How did you man
age it?'
Abner laughed. He could afford to
laugh nav, with Martha's hand held fast
as surety that they had made up forever
more. "Oh, you must ask Tommy" he
said easily. HE managed 1t in his capac.
ity as head of the family
But won't be head Of the family any
more,'' said small voice. you're head
now, Abe, an I'm awful glad. 1T was
hard work. And Tommy rolled out OF
the hammock and slid off to the bed ano
the rest he had earned so faithfully.