The Sauk Centre herald. (Sauk Centre, Stearns County, Minn.) 1886-current, 1904-06-16
ICE CREAM AND
OTHER THINGS
By wICKLIFFE GRAY

.. it good Willie?" There was a look
of frank amusement and interest
on Hal Brooks face as he watched the
youngster opposite him.
''Yeth," answered Willie. His eight
year-old 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
saucers 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 remembered, he had been
cautioned not to have more than one
helping of any one dish. But surely
such reasoning could not apply to Mr..
Brooks, who called on Sister Edith so
often, and had gone riding with her on
bicycle almost every day all spring.
Going to somebody's house was not like
being met on the sidewalk, just like a
man, and being invited into the fine,
big ice cream parlor.
Chocolate, vanilla, strawberry,
peach?' queried the waiter Surely
mother wouldn't object when it was
forced on fellow like this.
Yes, l believe l 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
told him always to do, and being polite
would keep it from being wrong, if it
was wrong at all. A psychologist might
say that Willie was using a conscience
salve, like a good many grown-up
folks sometimes do. At all events Will
lie frightened and looked across the
table almost lovingly at his host.
DO you like to wear those big stove
pipe hats, Mr.. Brooks?" he asked. The
house was filling and it seemed proba-
BILE they would have to wait for the
cream.
We'll, no. l can't say I do, Willie
They're not half so comfortable. now,
as a cap" He indicated with a nod
his bicycle headcovering on an unoc-
cupied chair.
What makes you wear 'em, them"
Mothers visitors. and some Of
Edith's, nearly always discussed
clothes and things; and when one is a
guest for two ice creams one must do
some of the talking.
We'll" Brooks smiled confidentially,
so to speak. Il suppose I wear 'em
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 'em?" he queried,
finally, as the waiter placed the cream
before him.
That's about the size of it. mostly"
Brooks agreed
But somebody has to start doin' 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
up or run along"
DO you like ice cream. Willie?"
asked Brooks. Willie was startled into
a blush. so obvious was the fact that
he did love it. And Mr.. Brooks eyes
were twinkling, too. Yes. sir" he
admitted
We'll, 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.