The Birmingham age-herald., 1905-07-23

ways there for his use, he called out cheerily: Hello, papal When you com ing? I'm waiting"
 Papa answered by asking a question. He said: "Hello sonl What you been doing this morning?'
 wy, you know you said for me to be ready to go fishing at ten. I got all ready before nine-got lots of bait"
 "Oh. you didn't forget what said at the breakfast table, then?"
 "No, slr," answered Sammy, feeling a bit uncomfortable.
 Well" went on papa, "as spoke only once about our going fishlng-and then didn't try to impress 1t on your mind-I had no Idea you would remember 1t, as you seem to have the bad habit of forget ting everything so quickly. But, since you have proven to me that you can re- member l want to ask you If you have forgotten anything your mother has asked you to do for her this morning. Per formed any errands for her, eh?'
 sammy became much confused Well, papa" he began, -I-well-I-"
 Then he stopped Everything he should have done-but did not do-rushed through his mind pell-mell. A new deter imitation siezed him. He looked helpless ly at his mother, who seemed to under stand him perfectly. She took the sheet of paper from the mantel and put 1t in his right hand. Sammy's eyes took fin what she had written there. Well, son, you still at the phone?' asked his fathers voice. If so answer my last question:"
 ''Yes, sir, I am here,' answered Sammy in a tremulous voice. And, papa, l want to make clean breast of 1t all Mamma has written down the things she told me to do l forgot everyone of them almost as soon she told me. I shall read over what mamma has written and you will see that have been very forgetful as usual" Then sammy held up the paper and read off Forgot to bring the spade to the house after using 1t to dig bait, al- though l charged him emphatlcally to bring It In and clean the soil from it's blade. Forgot to go in the cellar and bring up Jar and the basket of eggs; also forgot to go to the grocery after cer- tain things l need in the pantry, although necessity of his attending to this errand at once. Began to sweep the back walk but evidently forgot that he should finish 1t, for he threw the broom on the ground stack the kindlings In the woodshed as I ordered him to do; but he did not forget to prepare to go fshing.''
 Sammy hung up the receiver. He had no desire to hear papa's remarks on his mamma's memorandunl He sprang down from the stool and ran to his mother, iniOWluB HIS hrlHb uTuu0u 0Pr neck. Mamma, if you and papa can forgive me for my pnst forgetfulness 1 promise to break myself of the very, very bad habit You've both been so patient with me. know I've been a bad fellow, and I'm ashamed of myself l really am. Now, I'm going to do my errands. No,' as his mother began to speak, you need not re- peat them to me for l remember them perfectly. I only wanted to forget them because did not want to work 1 thought to work meant doing something that wasn't any pleasure. The truth, mamma, is-I have been lazy"
 But you must not dislike work, dear" said mamma, kindly. "Only through work can we live. What if papa and 1 forgot to do any work-only played-how long
 q understand 1t now.' declared Sam my. And to show you I mean to turn n new leaf. just you let me go about my CT rands. After I'm done-wel, you look at the way I've gone about It"
 Whistling merriy sammy went out and fetched in the spade, rubbing the blade clean and shining Then he set about his other tasks with llghtness of heart that made his mamma happy, and caused her to go to the phone and say to papa. 'The child has come suddenly to under stand the error of his wayss It would do your heart good to see the way he has gone about his work. By eleven o'clock he will have finished the tasks I have set him on the fishing trip his heart was so set upon Truly, he must receive his just reward. He Is in earnest In his de termination to do right-to never, never forget anything again.
 A little before eleven o'clock Sammy,