Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1903-12-10
The Secret of Ted's Reform.

"Ted TeddieI called his mother
from the kitchen door.
Eyes, nav" answered he. "Shucks!'
he thought; boys always have their
fun spoilt it is pretty tough that
they don't want fellow to even 60
swimming. wish my hair would dry;
mothers always find everything out. "
And he ran his fingers through his
hair, still wet from his late swim.
He was lying under an old apple
tree in the orchard, and now began
amusing himself by breaking into the
row Of ant hills that were close be.
side him. He seemed to enjoy the
pastime of destroying the tiny houses
with the toes of his new boots, for he
laughed as be saw the little fellows
scampering in all directions, some of
them in their flight dropping the bur-
dens of stuff they were storing away
for Winter food.
Pretty soon Ted saw big spider
drop from the tree above him, spin
ming its web as it came down. He
was busy watching what the spider
did that he quite forgot the little ants.
But when he again noticed them they
had increased to great black army
and were rushing to and fro carrying
grains Of sand. Then he saw they had
covered his legs with it. He began
to feel uncomfortable, especially as the
spider was now being helped by ever
so many more equally big monstrous-
looking, and each was hurrying across
his arms and body, weaving such strong
webs about him that he was soon fast
ened 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 Ted's
nose, which was a very ticklish per-
formapce for its 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 deeper. "If you live
through this - said one.
at live through this" 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 it at all as he
felt perfect hail-stOrm Of pebbles
coming down on him. One knocked
the spider off his nose. THAT was a
dandy aim, thought Ted, but he did
not say so, for rock had just hit him
square in the mouth.
ooh, that's not fair to hit fellow
when he is down, " said he angrily.
isn't it, though, " croaked hoarSe
voice. you thought it was fair when
you pelted me, and big green frog
hoped on Ted's hand.
Warts, said he, and he was going
to scream, but plaintive voice from
the branches overhead sang out, bad
boy Bad boy, where is my nest ?
Where are my birds?" And robin
flew down and pecked at Ted's eyes.
"Stop, stop " cried he. Il am no bad
der than other boys. All boys rob
birds nests"
But where is my stinger?" hissed
a yellow jacket, flying about Ted's
head. "Yes, yes, you cruel boy" buz-
zed a myriad of bees, alighting on his
face and singing him with wrathfnl
vengeance.
There, spit tobacco and I will let
you 60" sounded near him.
"Wlll you?" Ted cried with JOY.
But then he remembered he was not
a grasshopper and could not "spit to-
bacco, and his JOY changed into grief
as he felt his tormentors hopping about
his face and eyes, quite binding him.
a terrifying voice rang out, Fly
homel Fly home, your house is on freT'
"Is it? And mother is home all alone.
Oh, let NE CO." exclaimed the frighten-
ed boy. Never mind" said the lady
bug, don't be in a hurry" and she
danced inside his ear. Poor boy, he
was nearly wild with misery, and
thought nothing more could happen
that would be any worse. but some
thing did happen, for be felt hOr-
rible smarting all over his cheeks and
forebead