Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-10-31
The Secret Of Ted's Reform.
By Mary n. o'Connor.

Ted, Teddie.' called his mother from the
kitchen door.
Yes. maw." answered he. "Shucksw he
thought: boys always have their fun spoit;
1t is pretty tough that they don't want
fellow to even 30 swimming I wish my
hair would dry; mothers always find every
thing out" and he ran his fingers through
his hair still wet from his late SWIM
lie was lying under old apple tree in
the orchard. and now began amusing him.
self by breaking into the row of ant hills
that were close beside him. He seemed to
enjoy the pastime of destroying the tiny
houses with the toes of his new boots. for
he laughted as he saw the little fellows
scampering in all directions. some of them
in their flight dropping the burdens of stun
they were storing away for winter food.
Pretty soon Ted saw a big spider drop
from the tree above him. spinning its web
as 1t came down. He was so busy watching
what the spider did that he quite forgot the
lttle ants. But when he again noticed them
they had increased to a great black army
ana were rushing to and fro carrying grains
OF sand Then he saw they had covered his
legs with 1t. He began to feel uncomforta-
pie, especially as the spider was now being
heIped py ever so many more equally big
and MISUNDERSTANDING and each was hur-
rying across his arms and body weaving
such strong webs about him that he was
soon fastened down to the ground. upon
which he was still lying. Soon one great
black fellow perched on Ted's nose and in
an awful voice said:
What do you think Of that, young man?-
Ted tried TO answer. but he was afraid to
open his mouth lest he should swallow the
horrid creature You will not tear any
more of our beautiful webs" continued the
spider. and he waltzed up and down Teds
nose, which was very ticklish perform
ance for it's owner.
You will not break up any more of our
homes, will you?" said chorus of ants. as
they went on burying him deeper and deep
er. IF you live through thisp' said one
III L live through thisi' repeated Ted.
'Jimminy Grips, guess l am done for"
Just then voice called out. How do you
like to be hit with stones?" Now Ted did
not like IL at all as he felt q perfect hail
storm of pebbles coming down on him One
Knocked the spider Off his nose. THAT was
dandy aim thought Ted. but he did not
say So for rock had just hit him square
in the mouth
''Oh. that's not fair to hit a fellow when
he is down" said he angrily.
Isn't 1t, though croaked near him
You thought 1t was fair when you pelted
me" and big green frog hoped on Teds
hand
Warts" said he and he was going to
scream, but a plaintive voice from the
branches overhead sang out wicked boyt
Bad boy. where is my nest? Where are my
birds?' And a robin flew down and pecked
at Ted's eyes.
stop, stop" cried he. 'I am no bladder
than other boys. All boys rob nests"
But where is my stinger?'' Kissed a vel
low jacket flying about Ted's head. Yes
yes. you cruel boy" buzzed a myriad of
bees alighting on his face and singing him
with wrathful vengeance.
There, spit tobacco; spit tobacco and L
will let you 60" sounded near him
will you?" Ted cried with Joy But then
he remembered he was not a grasshopper
| and could not spit tobacco" and his Joy
changed into grief as he felt his tormentors
hopping about his face and eyes. quite
binding him
Fly home, your house is on fire.
us it? And mother is home all alone
On, let me go! exclaimed the frightened
boy. "Never mind said the ladybug don't
be in hurry" and she danced around in
side his ear. Poor boy he was nearly wild
with misery, and thought nothing more
could happen that would be any worse, but
something did happen, for he felt horrible
| smarting all over his cheeks and forehead
You ugly snail. get off my sore nose"
why. that is only some of the salt you
snail, crawling over Ted's face. Your
nose is such good shape for a Slide" con-
cluded he. and he proceeded to utilize It for
that purpose.
Gee whizz! what a good fish bait you
would make" said an angle worm crawling
slowly over Ted's neck until he came to his
cheek. and then added. II will just stay
here, old boy, and we can play wiggle wag
gle.
|. Ted was very much frightened at all these
things and though he admitted he had mis-
treated these little creatures as they had
represented. still he did not like to have
them on such intimate terms with him He
saw a cloud OF white butterflies coming to-
ward him and thought. We'll they cannot
hurt me, anyway.
Can't WEI" said the leader just as IL
Ted had spoken out aloud, Just let US
show you how it feels to be fastened with
a PIN and he drove a sharp instrument
.,<I, t,r.l.r LII Al,
the ground.
There. sir. YOU fiutter and fiutter as
we did on your desk at school, and the
pretty thing poised itself on the head of the
pin and laughed. and would be laughing
still, no doubt. only squirrel seated on
the bough overhead with slingshot began
firing nut shells at Ted's face.
Take that. and that. you sneaky." chat
tered the squirrel. taking another aim.
Say, you stop that; never did anything
to you" called out Ted.
you stole my winters nuts, you"
Just how it happened seemed strange, but
a nut shell hit the butterfly and knocked it
off it's perch. Then confusion most dire
arose, the bees buZzed madly. the grasshop-
per swallowed the ant and the frog swal-
lowed the grasshopper, the snail melted
away and the angle worm ran away with
the frog hopping after it two jumps at
time. Ted was going to laugh out but he
was afraid the pin might hurt him, when
hs felt ii terrible whack right on top OF his
head-an apple had fallen off the tree and
struck him. He jumped to his feet and for
a moment was dazed. He felt for the long
pin and for the ladybug in his ear, but
everything was gone. He was as much
frightened at their disappearance as he
had been when they came, and he made q
break for home. He ran through the or
chard and sprang over the garden wall.
The chickens fed in terror the dog barked
al the approach of his enemy and the cat
stuck up her back and Missed. 1t took Ted
some time to realize just how 1t had all
happened that afternoon. However, he did
not tease the cat that night. His mother
watched him and wondered much at his
gentleness. Then looking at him critically,
Ted. what is the matter with you? Are
you sick
mo. nav: I'm only performing"