The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-10-16

of such thing this year. Why, that would take you away from school. and that would never do."
 ''But," protested Willie. '.you prom ised that I could 70 whenever they in- vited me. and here is the invitation. Oh. please. mamma, say yes"
 But, dear, you will drop behind in your studies" argued mamma.
 "oh, no, mamma" said Willie, eager ly; didn't you see what Cousin Tommy sch school with him and the rest of my cousins"
 Then Papa was invited into the coun- with V them TRey % discussed @ % the natter Ter thoroughly, Papa being sanguine from the first He knew that his brother in the West had three fine young sons of his own, and that winter in their com pany would be very enjoyable, as well as beneficial, to Willie. But Mamma s main objection was the question of school. and she feared that Willie would fall below his grade If placed in one of the little ungraded country schools of the West. Papa met this argument with wise shake of the head (Willie when Papa shook his head and squinted his -eye), saying that many of the great est men of the country had hailed from that region, and had received their edu
 
 houses, He went on to say something of the kind about Abraham Lincoln, but Willie. did not quite remember what 1, was, was, for he vas just now more inter near future than in Abraham Linooln's
 .mi'll study hard. mamma; sure let me go: I'll do just what you tell me to, sure l will. You can write to Aunt Grace and tell her to make me mind her, lust as she does Tom and the rest of ment's thought ''she may spank me if I'm bad. Sure she may"
 After some more thought and disous- thsi son l5 w,,s Was ssrssd ssd by Papa and Mamma ern relatives a visit, and Papa wrote a letter to that effect to his brother VII Ham. saying Willie would be with them in week or ten days.
 Then began the real excitement. the preparations for the trip. It was de- cided that Willie should stay all winter and enjoyed the country fife. So So an nAe- eT- tensiye wardrobe was fitted out, cloth ing for all sorts of weather and occa- sions. There were raincoat, a fur lined 2yercoat and a lightweight over coat. There were storm overshoes, rubber boots and leggins, There was fur cap, with a face mask. made to order, for Papa said Willie would need it in case During all these preparations While jumped about from morning till night In the happiest of spirits. and the morn ing set for his departure found him out of bed and drsssed by 5 o'clock His big new trunk, with his initials printed on the side. was packed and setting in the hall, ready to be taken to the sta ton. His travelling bag. containing cloth ing and toilet articles to use on the road, was. with his umbrella, on the hall bench. Mamma had seen to every thing before going to bed the night be- fore. Very proudly Willie surveyed these as he went out at the front hall door to take farewell look at his home surroundings He sat down on the door step and soliloquized. Gee. I don't see how people can stay in a city. I'll be awfully glad when I get in the country, where there are no more towns. It must be awful tos ride on street cars always or in carriages. I'll soon be riding Texas ponies and bucking broncos, i will. Bet 1 never get thrown, neither. Bet I'll go like the wind, just a-whoop- ing. Amt nothing to shoot in a city just nothing to do but walk along the streets with the crowds and behave. In the West I'll kill bears, antelopes and buffaloes. I'll send 'em home to papa and mamma, and they can eatsthe meat on 'em and mako rugs out of the skins.