The San Francisco call., 1904-03-20

ittle cuss. but somebody's got to try
and keep him IN order"
Can't you punish him some other
way? He's been talking about seeing
the balloon for days"
wish to goodness I'd somebody 70
help me-" said the Judge; moodily
1 m not uD to this sort OF work It
makes me feel the meanest thing that
walks to get Up and punish a boy for
things that are Just what I did when
was the same age. But what's a
man to do2 / can't see those children
80 70 the DEVIL
The howls Of Benito had been rising
loudly from the house for some min
utes. They now suffered a sudden
eheck; there was a quick step In the
hall and Mrs. Garcia appeared In the
doorway. red and angry. Benito was
at her side, eating a large slice OF
cake.
What dye mean. Gam Barron"
she said in high key. 'by making my
son cry that way? Amt you got no
better use for your time than to tease
and torment a poor. little, helpless
boy. who's got no father to protect
him?"
I wasn't teasing him. Elsie" he an
swered quietly; I only said would
not take him out this afternoon be-
cause he behaved badly"
We'll, amt that teasing, when you
promised it for week and more7
That's what I call snide trick. It's
just because you want to go some
where else. know. And so you put
it off on that woman and the crab.
y
her, too. Never mind, my baby"
fondly to Benito. stroking his hair
with her hand. "mother'H take you to
see the balloon herself"
Benito jerked himself away from
the maternal hand and said. with his
mouth full OF cake:
II don't want to go with you: I
want to go with Uncle Gam. He lets
me ride IN the geat-cart and buy pea
nuts"
You'll go with me-" said Mrs. Gar
ella with asperity. "or you'll not go at
ALL
Il don't want to go with you." said
Benito, beginning to grow clamorous:
II don't have fun when I go with
YOU"
You'll so with me. or stay home
shut up in the cupboard all after
noon"
II won't; no. L won't"
Benito was both fearful and en-
ragged. His mother caught his hand
and, holding it in a tense grip. bent
her face down 10 his and said with set
emphasis:
DO you want to stay all afternoon
IN the kitchen cUp5Oard?"
He struggled TO be free. reiterating:
NO, I don't. and amt goin' 70.
think you're real mean to me. amt
goin' to go nowhere with YOU
You mean. ungrateful little boy"
said his parent. furiOusly. shaking the
hand she held. Don't talk back to
me. You'll go with me this after
noon and sec that balloon II have to
drag you all the way. Yes you will"
L won't" roared Benito. now en-
ragged past all control; and IN his
frenzy to escape he kicked at his
mothers ankles through her interven-
ing skirts
This was too much FOR Mrs. Gar
cia's feelings as a mother. She took
her free hand and boxed BenitO
smartly on the ear. Then for a mo-
ment there was war. Benito kicked.
roaring Justify. whilM his mother
cuffed. The din OF combat was loud
on the balcony. and several OF the
geranium pots wereiknocked over.
1t remained for Barron TO descend
from the railing and drag the boy
away from his wrathful parent.
Here. stop kicking your mother"
he said peremptorily; that won't do
at ALL
Then make her stop slapping me-"
howled Benito. Amt got a right
to kick back2 I guess you'd kick all
right II you were slapped that way"
''AIl right" said his mother from
the doorway. next time you come to
me, Benito Garcia. to be taken to the
circus or the fair. you'll flnd out that
you've barked up the wrong tree"
II don't care" responded Benito de-
family; grandma or Uncle Gam will"
Five minutes after her irate with
drawaI she reappeared, calm, and
smiling, the memory OF her recent
combat showing only IN her height
ened color. and announced that lunch
was ready.
At lunch the stranger was intro
duced to Mariposa. and she learned
that he was Isaac Pterpont, singing
teacher living in the house.