River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1902-10-02
"Father Makes Them. y

L *
spot, shady the whole of it from the
branching limbs of tall trees. Of
course there were all sorts of peo-
pie gathered in and about the park,
and the occupants of the many ele-
giant carriages going to and fro,
were vastly amused at some of the
queer specimens of humanity that
met their view. A lady leaning
back languidly against the satin
cushions of a handsome carriage,
suddenly aroused herself, as she
passed booth in which lemonade,
candy, buns, etc., were sold. There
were quite a number within the
booth refreshing themselves, but it
was upon one young boy that her
gaze was riveted. A boy of thir-
teen or fourteen years talking ear
nestly to seven or eight little bows
much younger than himself. Each
little boy held glass of lemonade,
from which he was drinking. The
older boy was dressed in expensive
clothes and presented a strong con-
trast to the other boys, who had
patched or ragged clothing. He
evidently was treating the little
ones, at least that was what the lady
thought. Turning to her coachman,
she said: Dennis, did you notice
Arthur in that booth?"
No, mann; | wasn't a-1ookin'
that way. These horses be a pranc-
ing SO on count of the music an
fire-crackers an such like, they
take up all my attention.
Turn around, Dennis, and drive
slowly past the BOOTH"
Dennis did as requested. AS he
drove close to the curbstone she
saw distinctly Arthur, her Arthur,
passing basket Of cream cakes to
those same dirty little boys. She
was very angry, but would not stop
and call to him, she was too proud
for that, but she would find out
what he meant by associating with
such ragmuffins as soon as she
could have an opportunity to speak
with him. 1t was late in the even
ing when that opportunity came to
her. The lady's two little girls had
just returned home with their nurse,
and were in gay spirits.
"Oh, mammal" said one, you
never saw such fireworks in all your
life; they had George Washington
all spelled out in big fiery letters,
with stars shooting out from every
letter."
"And they had the star spangled
banner, all red and white and blue,
and twas all burning" said the
other child excitedly.
"All burning! Why, 1 should not
think they would want to burn up
the star spangled banner" answer
ed their mother.
They didn't, ma am, explained
nurse. don't know how twas ev-
er done, but twas all ablaze as if
in glory, and the pink and blue
lights Were maxim everything look
like fairy-land, and then when all
the lights went out there twas wav-
ing as beautiful and as sound as
ever. Is Masser Arthur at home,
ma ann"
mo, he has not been in the house
since tea. Why do you ask?"
Cause I'm a bit worried. saw
him an hour ago leadin' an old
drunken man, and | called after
him, but he told me to hush. ;"
"And O! mamma" said little
Edith, shivering in disgust, Il saw
brother Arthur leading two awful
dirty little girls by the hand, and
he bought them lots of things
sandwiches and cakes, and even
dolls"
That he did, ma'am. We watch
ed him, but he didn't see," nurse
added.
Quick boyish steps came up the
steps and through the hall, and in
another moment entered the room.
Arthur had always been his moth
er's pet and pride, but it was in
very angry tone that she asked:
Where have you been, sir? Whom
have you been leading along the
public streets?"
"I'll tell you, mamma, as soon as
you are alone" the boy answered
respectfully.
"Then you can tell me now.
Nurse, take the children right to
bed"
AS soon as the door closed upon
nurse and children, Arthur said;
''Ive been out seeing the fire.
works, of course, and led Dan
Carpenter home; he was too drunk
to go alone"
20, Arthur, how could you so
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