Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1902-04-10
THE CONDUCT OF JIM

and goodness knows where they may be
or what coarse children they may come
IN contact with.
well, Carrie, there's no need to worry,
said Mrs. Hurst Jim knows Chicago bet
ter than ! do, and he'll be home before
dinner time. suppose they have gone
over to the lake TO play"
by the lake, shriled Carrie. you
say it as if boys were never drowned in
the lake. Why, Percy would no more think
Of walking alone in the streets or Of going
near the water than of fighting OF swearing.
/ Nou shouldn't permit James to do it, either.
He'll grow up into a regular rufiian or some
thing worse.
"Oh, don't know" unused Mrs. Hurst,
with a vicious little jerk of her needle.
I'D hate TO see him miksop. If he did
fall into the lake he'd probably swim out
all right"
Mrs Jones' Nonsense was followed
BY silence till her sister asked:
Can Percival swim!"
''No, he can't swim, and what's more, I
don't propose that he ever shall learn in
a vulgar, exposed place the way James did.
When he's old enough l shall send him
to the natatorium to a good master"
Its well you can afford it, said the
other Il can't, and Jim. wouldn't wait for
that, anyhow. He's just harun- searum
boy, know, and I'm glad Of it, too"
Well, if they're not home in ten min
utes I'm going TO get policeman to look
for them. said Mrs. Jones.
Then Mr. Hurst came in and his sister
in-law bounced upon him.
james" she began, that boy Of yours
has taken Percy away and Is keeping him
out until I'm almost insane with worry.
You and Jane haven't the slightest idea
of what is due to your child. He's a regu.
lar bully. Why, only to-day he skinned
Percy's neck playing cowboy with rope.
Now he's got my darling out Of my sight
and there's no telling what he may do"
How did Jim get him out! Drag him
out with a rope!"
"No, he didn't suppose he would if
he had dared
"Quit worrying. Carrie" Jane broke in.
''The boys are all right Ii they're not
here when dinner is ready Mr.. Hurst will
60 for them
Give them plenty Of time to get
drowned Well, / won't. III go myself
Mrs. Jones rushed for her hat.
.Cool off, Carrie, said Hurst IF moth
ing else viii suit you I'll 70 for Percy. You
surely don't think Jim is going to kin him,
do you2 Why, he's year older than Jim,
anyhow, and he ought TO be able to take
care Of himself before dark"
Hurst went out after the boys, and the
two women sat in silence.
Dinner was on the table when Percy came
In, alone.
where's JIM" asked Mrs. Hurst
cover in the park fighting, said the boy,
breathlessly.
Hurst brought his son in a moment later.
Jim's clothes were covered with mud, has
coat was torn and his nose was bloody.
His father took him into the bathroom,
Invested him OF his tatters washed his face
and tried his best to make him presenta-
Bile
When the boy appeared at the table he
wore his Sunday clothes and white shirt
waist. but his swollen proboscis and the
growing shadow over his left eve pro-
claimed his disgrace Mrs. Jones fairly
glowered at him, Percy kept his eyes of
Jim and Mrs. Hurst looked distressed but
defiant There was a CLEAN of merrlment
In Hurst ewes Jim seemed to be obllvious
of the strained relations and unconscious
OF his own degradation.
"Whatcha run fur" asked jim.
Percy feigned deafness, blushed and
glanced at his mother.
"Whatcha run fur, Perceg Nuz yu
skeered o tn big duffers'
"Such vulgarityl Don't answer him,
Percyl" commanded Mrs. Jones.
Jim watched Mrs. Jones out Of the cor
ner of his inflated eye for nearly minute,
and then he said "Aunt Carrie that kid
o yourn Is a stiff.
"Jnnl"
"Jiml"
The parents looked aghast as they made
these EXPLANATIONS.
Hes a little gentleman, that's what he
is" and Mrs. Jones glared in triumph at
her sister and her husband.
Hes got a yellow streak" continued
Jim. quite unabashed; hes COW
silence. james," Numbered his father,
whereat the boy resumed his dinner.
Jim was in great feather next day in
spite of his black eye and sore nose, for
he had a silver dollar and refused to dis
close the source Of his sudden wealth.
where did you get it," Percy asked
him. Siding up for a truce.
yah! YAH Wouldn't you like TO
know said jim, the vulgarian.
Mrs Hurst was as mystitied about the
dollar as anyone else, and that night when
her husband came home she corraled him
in his den
james, did you give Jim dollar.' she
asked
Il did" He was tride defiant
you'll spoil him. James, she suggested.
"What did you give il 10 him ior:'
"Wait minute I'll call Jim"
He shouted the boys name and directly
the sorrv-looking face Of the youngster
perked in at the door. Mrs Hurst sat on
the arm Of her husbands chair.
"Jim.' sternly began the parent, how
did You come to get into that night with
that Dobbins boy!
Me and Perez wuz comm outta IN PARK
when Dobbins n his gang fom Sixty -fnurt
street asst US to play ball, began Jim, rue
fully. watching his mother, I'VE chcosed
up sides, but PIERCE says: i won't play
Dobbins seq: wy notH and Perez ups
and sez. Me muther won't lemme play
wit coarse boys That made Dobbins red
A1H - ~. I;4s porra a Sian ia the nose