Meade County news. [volume] (Meade, Kan.) 1900-1918, 1903-10-08

There was public play ground for
children across from the flats where
the Thompkins live. Mrs. Thompkins
just felt it in her bones that Mr..
Thompkins was going to discover that
play ground some time. She tried to
put off the terrible day, and yet she
knew 1t had to come. 1t arrived.
1t was Saturday afternoon. Mr..
Thompkins and his wife sat out on
the veranda of their fiat building. The
noise Of the children playing fioated
across the street Mr.. Thompkins
heard it
THAT must be that play ground"
said Mr.. Thompkins, suddenly. 1--WE
heard about that and seen something
in the papers about it."
Never mind" said Mrs Thompkins,
soothingly. 60 in the house. that's a
| dear, and get some good book and
read, or else lie down and I'll put ice
on your head"
Mrs. Thompkins." inquired her
liege, do you think am an imbecile.
or coming down with some strange,
weird disease? What are you taking
about?"
20, nothing. nothing" said Mrs.
Thompkins- What pretty day it is,
to be sure. Let's walk down to the
lake. o, see the birds in the trees.
Do you know that believe Roosevelt
is sure to be nominated, and what did
you say was the future of wireless
telegaphy?"
Mrs. Thompkins, you are babbling,"
replied her liege. your mind is
wandering. You are talking like a
child, and, speaking of children, re-
minds me that ought to go over and
help the dear little boys and girls
have nice time in their play ground.
Public play grC-nds are all well and
good in their way, but the amuse-
ments and various games of the little
folks should be carried on under the
watchful eyes of the sagacious and
wise; else they result in more harm
than good"
But they hire people for that pur-
pose," meekly interposed Mrs. Thomp-
kins. but her liege waved her argu-
ment haughtily aside.
"Stuff and nonsenseI Hire fiddle
sticks The advice must come not
from mere hirelings but from those
philanthropic and public-spirited citi-
zens who, out of the wealth of their
own experience, are able to wisely
guide and direct the young"
Mrs. Thompkins knew it was of no
use to argue further, and so she ac-
companied Mr.. Thompkins across the
street to the play ground.
Children" began Mr.. Thompkins,
walking up to a group that were run
ming hack and forth, 81 will take part
in your game"
20, we don't want that old fat thing
on our SIDE" shouted one bright-eyed
little maiden. You've got to take old
whiskers on your side over there"
1--WE do not" shouted a girl on the
other side. I'VE don't have to have
him and we hain't a-going to-"
Children, children" began Mr..
Thompkins. Tut, tut, tut, show your
respect for your elders. 1 merely wish
to assist you in your advertisements"
20, let's play blackman and let him
be it." shouted a small girl, who
seemed to feel some pity for Mr..
Thompkins. Come on, you get out
here and say, 'What'n you do when
the blackman comes?'"
Mr.. Thompkins made the stereo-
typed query and received the answer
of, Rush right through like we al
ways do" and the children came
charging straight down on him. Mr..
Thompkins tried to establish a record
and catch three or four at once, but
didn't succeed in catching any. The
children made another rush, but still
Mr.. Thompkins could make no cap
lures. Finally the girls decided that
Mr. Thompkins was too easy and told
him to go over and play with the
babies.
go on, old Santa Claus, You
couldn't catch a f1ea," chorused the
girls, and Mr.. Thompkins in high in
diCpatinn roovad