The labor world. [volume] (Duluth, Minn.) 1896-current, 1905-02-18
WILLIE SHOWS DAD J.
:.<ss HOW TO SMOKE

From the New York Press: ~. - Z.
Jones noticed q few weeks ago that
his cigars were disappearing "a good
deal faster than he himself was smOk-
ing them. but it was some time before
ne suspected that his son Jim. who is
barely II years old. could. SO far have
departed from the line Of conduct. he
anything to do with it. The shock
came one day when Jones found a
cigar in Jimmy's playroom.
Jim was brought before the parental
tribunal, accused and pleaded guilty.
Mrs. Jones held a watching brief on
behalf Of the prisoner, aid when her
f1rst-born admitted he had been smok-
broke down. Yet she put in q strong
plea for mercy.
you must leave this matter entirely
to me. Mrs. JONES'" said Jones stern
~. think I, can give Jim q lesson
which. without being unduly severe,
Will Induce him to leave my cigars
alone for some time to come. Jim.
come to my study, and you, Mrs.
Jones. will be good enough to come
boy" -
1t was fearful little procession that
followed Jones down the hail. the
mother torn between grief at her sons
crime and fear for the consequences,
and the boy apprehensive of his per-
sonal comfort.
chair while the mother fluttered to
and fro,
Jones brought ,out a box of cigars,
opened it and walked over to Jimmy.
Take cigar" he said. and the boy,
recognizing a threat rather than an in
vitation. hesitated.
anyone you like" said Jones in grim
ton picked out the biggest and black
est and latest of all.
There was painful silence as Jenes
turned and brought the matches for
his son. Mrs. Jones looked as though
she were watching human sacrifice.
Light 1t, was the next command.
With whimper Jimmy bit off the
end. while his father struck match
and watched him draw in the first
whiffs of smoke.
Nov. Mrs. Jones you will please sit
down and watch jimmy said the
stern father. II think this will be an
object lesson to you as we'll as a prac-
teal warning to him." He took a cigar
himself and sat down in a comfort
able chair opposite his young hopeful.
Father and son smoked away to-
&SLUeT lot a quarter u I'LL NOuT III d
silence that was broken only by an
occasional shuttle from Mrs. Jones.
Jimmy paralyzed at first with horror
at the idea of smoking in full view
of his parents, had gradually wiggled
back into the depths of his big chair
| and with his legs barely touching the
| floor pulled away vigorously. Both
cigars were getting short, but there
was n8 sign of any action on the boy s
part beyond the steady succession of
whiffs that came from his rounded
| lips. Jones at last threw his butt away
and Jimmy politely followed his ex-
| ample.
Have another" said Jones with
! forced politepess. The mother pro-
tested in vain, but Jimmy. now thor
oughly at home, selected his weed with
a fine affection Of care, and leaning
back with crossed legs. as he had seer
his father do, went on smoking in
| serene contentment. Jones began to dc
some pretty close watching on his own
account, and allowed his cigar to-. &c
! out more than once as he waited an:
xiously for some signs that. would
prove the success OF his theory. None
I came; = .:".s%@%: = ~ - ~ !,
At last, in disgust, he threw away
his cigar and left the room.
Il believe" he said to Mrs. Jones 9
little later, ''that boy has been smok'
ing for year. Why, he. wouldn't
get sick If he smoked the whole box.