The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1904-02-07

his disposition was perfect. He never took
advantage of the rear of little boys, and
his mottles1 sides were groomed with a
nicely that made little girls hug and kiss
him. Mrs. O'Shea always ended up the
family wash by drenching Billy with the
warm soapsuds; she didn't blue him. but
otherwise Billy was as clean as the snowy
stretch OF linen on the O'Shea clothes-line.
The buckles on his harness twinkled in lit
tie diamond lights and the blue wagon
shone In new paint.
Up and down the pavement he jerkily
trotted, and Tommy found an exhilarating
boyish delight IN balancing on the board
that was the front seat of the goat wagon,
holding the lines at which Billy daintily
jerkeG. touching him up now and then
with the whip from the holder, an en-
cours cement that Billy resented with
nervous little switches of his small tail
Tommy rode, and he rode, and he rode,
and the more times the little crowd of
boys went up and down the pavement the
more Tommy desired Billy. Were not ten
one-dollar bills and one goat outfit an even
exchange. Moreover, a live, personal &C
QUESTION always has an advantage over
mechanical one. inasmuch as it is alive
"Tim,' said Tommy, finally, III give you
five for him."
Jimmy turned astonished eyes on Tommy.
Ten" said he.
'I'll give you seven
"Ten!"
I'll give you eight and a quarter"
"Tenr'
Timmy's last ten vigorous. Tommy
was petting Billy, and Billy nibbled daintily
up and down the rough cloth OF his Norfolk
He had never known before that he wanted
a goat but now he saw in Billy the most
alluring object in the whole wide world.
In the end, he took his bills out slowly and
counted them into Timmy's grimy little
hand; then he and the other boys scuttled
into the blue wagon and drove off.
Before the handsome stone pillars of the
Wiljohn residence the outfit drew up nois-
lily. The three boys were discussing in an
animated manner the mOoted question as
to whether goats were hitched. or Whether
they were left simply upon their honor not
to stray and look upon the grass plot when
it is green. In the middle Of the cIamor
Billy stood and jerked his small head about
and looked at them impatiently from his
moss-agate eyes; then he fell to snuffing
about the pavement.
In the midst of the strenuous argument
the hall door of the Wiljohn residence
opened; stepping lightly out to the veranda
steps came Mrs. Wiljohn. Tommy" she
called, regarding the goat curiously, whose
goat have you there?'
Tommy looked at Billy and didn't answer
Howard spoke up for him. however. Hes
Tommy's now, Mrs. Wiljohn. We just
bought him of Jimmy O'Shea."
WHAT" gasped his mother. Tommy
have you bought that goat?'
''Yesm'
'Have you really paid your $40 for it?'
''Yes'm'
"Then." said his mother, gently but very
firmly, then, Tommy, you may take it
right back to Jimmy O'Shea, and tell him
TO give you your money back. You have
forgotten that we have no place to keep
it. and L won't have a goat around. Go
take 1t back, Tommy. and hurry, for it is
nearly tea time" With which maternal
ultimatum she left them, for Tommy's
mother had confidence both in her training
and in Tommy.
AS for Tommy, he stood looking blankly
at his purchase. Curiously enough he had
forgotten in the infatuation OF the moment
no stable, only an ornamental excuse for a
woodhouse. Billy wagged his ears at him
goodnaturedly and chewed, with the spas
modic little chews with which goats masti-
cate. Billy was a handsome little speci-
men of his kind, but for the first time the
brisk. penetrating goat odor assailed Tom
my's nostrils; for the first time he saw in
Billy, toll care and complications.
The other two boys looked at him SYM
pathetically; they could not imagine ma
ternal love being so severe. Say" they
whispered. ARE you going to do il,
Tommy
,.of course am" he said bravely. Don't
/ have to-"
He turned Billy's head about, and off they
trotted. At the O'Shea gate Jimmy greeted
the trio in surprise. and went doubtfuly
TO confer with his mother about the advisa-
bility of returning the SO. But as part
of the O'Shea family income was derived
from the Wiljohn weekly wash Mrs O'Shea
saw the matter philosophically; the goat
and the bills again changed hands and
Tommy went on his way alone to Joe Bill
downs.
A half hour later boy in a wrinkled Nor
folk and dusty stockings might have been
seen pedaling UP the street towards the
Wiljohn residence. Tommy had never rid
den a wheel for two consecutive hours in
his life. but the small boy is born with an
uncanny instinct for keeping his balance
guiding his wheel and turning the pedals
all simultaneously. the first time he be-
strides one. Tommy was going il bravely;
when he did fall. he fell with the cat-like
proclivities OF his kind. instantly remount-
ing. The wheels glinted In a blurr of light
under him with the magic smoothness of
Joe Bildowns toll, and his eyes were bright
and his cheeks red-mottled with the exhil-
aration OF new ownership
At the stone pillars he Jumped TO the
ground with a graceful fling of his legs
He paused a moment TO wipe his moist face
then he wheeled his new mount in through
the iron gates, up the wide veranda steps
and straight into the room where his
mother was reading before the fire Mrs
Wiljohn had been wondering uneasilv n
perhaps she had not been Just little
severe: she had intended TO let Tommy do
as he pleased with the money ne had
worked so bravely 20 earn. But, unfor-
tunately, she personally regarded goats a
good deal as she did snakes and red ants.
they might be very permissible things i'm
their place, but their place was not in her
vicinity. One look. however, at Tommy's
face treasured her.
Say. mother" he said, II guess il was
Harold wanted Billy instead OF me. / don't
want him: that is. I'm glad / didn't get
him when could have a wheel. And mann
ma" he felt OF a dusty place along his
right sleeve. and looked proudly at his