Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1905-08-23

thread with, though she knows need the
money sw1ni. told her You was sick.
But she didn't seem to care. oh, Tim,
you dont know how your mother did hate
to come home without the ice and lemons
We've got little sugar, you know, and /
Intended to make such a nice lemonade
Eof You this evening"
Tim gave no answering word tpst then,
but he reached out his little wan hand
and caressed his mothers cheek, yiping
away the hot tears. He sat with his cwn
squeezed through between the lids After
Q few moments be spoke. his voice full OF
subdued rage.
ma, when ! grow up to be big enough
You shan't do nothing but rest and ride
on the street cars whenever you want to.
You shall have silk dresses, too, 6ner'n
anything old Mrs Brown ever saw. And
q lot OF money, so I shall. But, listen,
and RI beat her nearly to Jelly for the
way she has treated my mother!'
"Hush--hush!'' said Mrs. O'Hara- .You
mast not talk so, TimU,s. You wouldn't
ever think Of striking a woman, child"
And Tins mother tried to soothe the ex-
cited boy.
Eyes. WILL" stoutiy declared Tim. ..r'n
beat her and beat her-the heartless old
Of work IN go down to old Peter Packers a
'nough! The old misunderstanding here
with his old socks for you to darn and
his old d., shirts sias for you to mend and when
kept you busy all day long be gifts mad
and says faint worth it: and he pays
you IS cents. Hes meaner'n old Mrs
Brown. so he is. Wish ! could punch his
fists angriiy. But I'll az him when i
git to be man, Will"
That's right, my boy" came a mans
voice; and, looking toward the door, Tim
and bis mother saw old Peter Packer,
the rich, misery old bachelor that Mrs.
o'Hara mended and darned for, entering
the room with small parcel under his
much confused. She feared the man had
overheard all that Tim had said against
him. and she knew that 1t might mean
the withdrawal of his work. But Tim
raised himself on his elbow and looked
& the intruder deHantiy.
Now, said Mr.. Packer, walking deiib-
erately into the room and placing his bur
die on the table, 81 must plead guilty TO
the offense OF eyesdropping. When i ap-
preached your door | overheard yon,
madam" nodding towards Mrs. o'Hara,
speaking betweec sobs to your son. Not
wishing to interrupt you till you were
calmer, / stood beside the door and
waited. OF course, / overheard every
little son made concerning that old Mrs.
Brown, who, let me say, must be a most
contemplate old woman 10 say the least.
AS for that old skinfiint Peter Packer----''
ing Mr. Packer was speaking ironically
and was angry, please don't pay any
attention to what little Timothy says.
The child is sick, you see.''
"Weli, II he can show such spirit when
he is sick he'll be a dandy after he gets
well. And he'll get well all right, for
boy with his heart owes II to bis mother
to get well and strong so he can carry
out his threats and protect her. If ever
a tight-6sted, fint-hearted old reprobate
lived that same Peter Packer is-or Wac
till this minute-one. In fact I've been
too mean TO notice my meanness till this
little chap showed me TO myself naked"
Then turning to Tim as be famed his
perspiring face with bis hat the old man
continued 10 speak: Its too bad you are
not able TO pErch my b ad for the way /
beat your mother down IN her price for
doing my mending. But I've conceived
a way IN which ! can make some amends.
! want just such boy as you to come in
my Office and learn my business. I'm get
ting old and need young shoulders TO
lean upon. You have this day taught me
G lesson that | coul4 not have Afforded
TO miss Iearning-before going TO meet
ny Maker. In fact, you have taken ne