Hattiesburg daily progress. (Hattiesburg, Miss.) 18??-1909, 1903-12-08

thoughts-he might blow his father to
a pipe some time. This considerate
sentiment, he reasoned, justified his re
ply to the philanthropist.
"Well, WELL" remarked the latter.
CHANGING down at the disinterested
specimen before him, 'but what would
you like to have now for Christmas"
Rodney shook his head Il amt per-
teller about meseIf If 1 could git that
there pipe-an'," he added as he scent
ed possibilities heretofore unsupported,
IAN a good bit of smokin' tobacco, an
one of them there rubber things to put
1t in-say, if l could do that for the old
man-say! An wouldn't he feel stuck
on hisself! But, gee, wot's de use? !
can't do 1t, so / might asswell be go
in"
He made this last remark. because he
knew intuitively that brevity. which Is
the soul of wit, is also the essential ia
charitable enterprises. Good impulses
don't last forever, so he moved off.
shaking his head as he went.
The big man looked up and down the
street to see If he was observed, then
be stretched forth his hand and caught
Rodney by the arm.
Here, my boy" he exclaimed gently
as he showed five dollar bill into Mr..
Rodney Burke's reluctant grasp-"here,
go and get the pipe for your father and
then go and get something for - for
yourself. and-and have at least one
happy Christmas that you can look
back upon" His eyes glistened a bit
as he said 1t, and, to his credit be it said,
he did not regret the impulse or the do
nation for a full two hours thereafter.
Tanks" said Mr.. Burke, with a biz
of scrape and stiff sort Of bow
thanks from me an me old man"
The next day there was queer for
nation in an unfrequented corner OF
the play yard Of the Fourteenth ward
school. This formation resembled more
than anything else an Eskimo Tut, but
composed instead Of inanimate ma
terial, of a very animated and interested
crowd Of boys gathered around com
mon center, From the aperture in the
top of this human Eskimo dwelling.
and therefore heightening the illusion.
assembled a column of smoke, and as il
assembled to the skies there came q
voice from within.
Gee, fellersr' said the voice. Gee,
but amt this greatY' 1t was the voice
of Mr.. Rodney Burke, the votary of my
Lady Nicotine, the center of an admin
ing crowd. He smoked a pipe-the pipc
Of his heart-and he filled it from a rel
rubber case.
Just fits in me pants pocket" he Ob
served. And as he said it he pulled out
q few dollar bills and exhibited them.
"An' l got four more plunks left!
What dye t'ink?' he said.
Later, in the class room, the teacher
lifted her head high In the air and
shifted.
"Some boy" she remarked severely,
"has been smoking. / want to know
who it is"
She looked-not around the rOom-but
directly at Mr.. Rodney Burke He fair
ly ree1ed with tobacco, and he knew II.
Under the circumstances, therefore,
he side stepped with alacrity into the
aisle and looked squarely into the
teachers eyes.
me old wo-me mother" he explain
ed glibly-"me mother had a smokin'
jag on yestiddy, an had to stay home
an fill her pipes, an me clo'es is full
of it. 1t amt me; it's her. Dye see"
Then he whipped out a small, new
leather pocketbook with brand new
penny in it and handed it over. "An' a
merry Christmas to you, Miss Burt
L, I'LL ~ hn III od