Middletown transcript., 1904-08-27

IL slight, and his face a
shade too pale, but
otherwise son Of whom any parents
might have been proud. There was
gentle winsomeness in the soft, dark
eyes, with that indefnable look that be-
trays at once an impulsively affectlonate
nature, whose very life, almost, depends
upon a reciprocation of its gift. Several
times he lifted his glance toward lady
Of scarcely middle age, who, rather over
dressed for SO early in the morning, was
busily engaged with her pen. At last
he spoke
Mamma, won't you please help me
with this example ~ he said. 'tI've got
all the rest, but can't see how TO start
this one."
Don't bother me now, Horace !" the
busy mother replied. "Ask your tutor
when he comes. Don't you know that
I have this paper to write for the Emer-
son Club this afternoon ~
The boy subsided into comfortable
heap in the soft cushions, and moment
later was startled by:
Horace How often have told you
not to double yourself up in that manner?
You will not have any shape at all sit
up straight, and do not forget again"
The day wore away slowly to the boy
they usually did Y; but evening came
at last. Mr.. Gilmore took his lunch,
perforce, at restaurant, and as business
was heavy now, did not usually reach
home until dark, just in time for dinner.
That meal over, the family of four were
settled in the cozy library, MIR. Gilmore
deep behind his paper, as usual. After
some time the boy ventured diffidently
to his fathers chair, and silently stood
with his hand upon its back, and his
eyes fixed earnestly upon the strong,
manly face beside him. There was an
intense wistfulness in his gaze, while he
stood patiently, as il waiting for some
thing. His father looked up with
frcwn.
sect out OF my light, Horace he
said 'T can't see through you !" The
boy retreated as though disappointed,
sat down on a sofa, and began to read.
Pretty soon he said:
"Papa, what does vertebrate mean ~
SCOT a backbone" Mr.. Gilmore re-
piled, shortly After few moments Of
silence Horace spoke up again.
''Papa, what is scarniyora Z"
"a fesh-eater."
"And what does"
"Oh, Horace, do keep still u Mr.. Gil
more said, in an irritated tone. "You
know how little time get to read any
thing. The boy made no answer, ex-
cepting to say to himself: II wish there
wasn't any old newspaper Soon the
man threw down the paper, exclaiming : |
"There is nothing in that there hasn't |
been any real news for a week. It's
just waste Of time to read it = Then
he reached down, picked up the baby
from the floor, and placing it upon his
knee, began an interesting dialogue.
"Coo-oo-oo," he said.
"Goo-oo-oo," answered the baby, smil-
ing.
"Coo-oo-oo. This went on for some
time, to the great enjoyment Of both.
Then Horace spoke up.
Sim going to make boat, papa Y he
said, animatedly. II found the incest
piece of pine to-day r No answer, but
"Coo-oo-oo."
"Goo-oo-oo." Then the boy again:
Papa, did You ever make saiI-boat p
eyes, Of course lots OF them-Coo-
,o-oo," etc.
''Papa, won't you please show me how
% make one, like you used to?''
Sometime, perhaps Coo-oo-oo."
What boy with nice new piece Of board
Gould wait until then! He hesitated,
hen he asked plaintively:
"Can't you show me tonight ~
mot tonight, Horace am too tired
o bother about it now, and besides, it
will soon be bedtime" The boy settled
lown in the sofa corner, watching his
ather ride the baby to Banbury Cross
IN his knee, and then carry it around
ind toss it up toward the ceiling for ten
minutes or SO. A panied look crept over
lis face, and he muttered to himself:
II wish there wasn't any babies p
A ghostly voice seemed to answer:
''Then where would you be?" And
le replied, in tones as shadowy:
'T don't care !" Then he shut lis I
Eyes YEARLY, and went to sleep on the
cushion, and if anyone had seen it, there
we're two bright drops that trickled down
rom beneath the closed eyelds on the
blue silk.
The next morning Horace sat at the
watching the boys on their
way to school, with longing eyes, There
we're no private schools near, and the
boys at the public schools had no man
1ers, his mother said, so that she could
not think of allowing him to 60 there
hence he must have tutor. The dwell
,rs in the neighborhood were such COM
non people, too, that she did not care
% have her boy mix with them, and
40 wonder that he. felt very much alone.
1t was dreary winter day. Presently
large moving van came along the street,
and stopped at the house across the
Eay-a rather small house, with a bav
window.
Horace watched the house closely.
md saw lady, with little girl, enter
presently, and little after noon boy
of eleven or twelve years came along
he street. He was not SO tall as Horace,
out he was sturdily-buit, jolly little
ellow. He looked at the numbers on
he houses until he came to the one Of
,he bay window, when he darted IN
lie steps and was lost to sight. Horace
was much attracted to him, and not ONLY
to see him when lie left again