The Forrest City times., 1904-06-24
ICE CREAM AND
OTHER THINGS
By wICKLIrrE GRAY
| S it good willie?" There was loo

1t good Willie?" There was look
of frank amusement and interest
on Hal Brooks face as he watched the
youngster opposite him,
"Yeth," answered Willie His eight.
yearold tongue was not so afflicted as
TO merit the term tied" But Willie's
mouth was full TO overlooking with ice
cream.
Most as good as ours on Sunday" he
added. Mamma lets me have two
xaueers then" There was a rueful note
IN his voice as he scraped the last drop
Of melted ice from his saucer
Suppose you have another now"
suggested Brooks. He beckoned a serv-
er Willie's face showed indecision.
Mothers teaching had always been
moderation. When he had been permit
Ted to spend the day with Jimmie Har-
mon, Willie remem bered. he had been
cautioned not to have more than one
helplng OF any one dish. But surely
such reasoning could not apply to Mr..
BROOKS, who called on Sister Edith so
etten. and had gone riding with her on
bicycle almost every day all sprinp
Going TO somebody's house was not like
oeing met on the sidewalk, Just like a
man. and being invited into the fine
Dig ice cream parlor.
Chocolate, vanilla. strawberry
peachs aueried the waiter. Surely
mother wouldn't object when it was
aorced on fellow like this.
Yes, / believe will" He looked
appealingly at Mr., Brooks, who sug.
gested Questioningly, "Chocolate?"
Yes, sir, if you please" At least
he had said please" just as mother
cold him always to do, and being polite
would keep ii from being wrong, IL It
vas wrong at all. A psychologist might
say that Willie was using a conscience
salve, like good many grown-up
folks sometimes do. At all events vii.
lie frightened and looked across the
table almost lovingly at his host.
DO you like 10 wear those big stove
pipe hats, MIR. Brooks?" he asked. The
house was filing and 1t seemed proba
bic they would have to wait for the
cream.
We'll, no. can't say | do. Willie
They're not half so comfortable. now
as cap" He indicated with a nod
his bicycle headcovering on an unoc-
xupied chair.
What makes You wear EN-, them"
Mothers visitors. and some of
Edith's, nearly always discussed
clothes and things; and when one is
guest for two ice creams one must do
Some OF the talking.
We'll, Brooks smiled confidentially,
SO to speak. Il suppose l wear EN-
because other folks do. and say it's
the proper thing" Willie made a full
pause to take in the idea
Does everybody do things Just be-
cause other folks do emf" he queried
hnally, as the waiter placed the cream
before him.
That's about the size of IT, mostly"
Brooks agreed
But somebody has to start dom the
thing first, don't they?" Il believe so.
usually"
But what makes the first ones
start? They don't have nobody to
copy after. do they?" 1t was certainly
nice, thought Willie. TO be able to ask
questions and not TO be told to shut
mp" or run along"
DO you ike ice cream. Willfe?"
asked Brooks. Willie was startled into
a blush. so obvious was the fact that
he did love il. And Mr. Brooks eyes
we're twinkling, too. Yes, SIR" he
admitted
Well that's the same reason that
makes some folks start doing things.
and then other folks begin to copy
after them" The light of only partial
comprehension showed in Willie's
eyes. He did not disbelieve. but he
wanted all doubts removed.
Then that's why you come to see
Sister Edith?' he asked Sos the
other fellows will come. too, and take
Der out to ride on bicycles" he added
IN explanation.