The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1905-05-28

ton presented itself to him: what
should he do for liying2'' 1t was broad
ness would fall and Bud had no place
In view where he might get shelter for
the night. Bud shuddered; lie was always
afraid Of the dark.eyen IL he would not
admit 1t to Fatty Thompson Was there
In that strange town another woman who
would eare for his comforts as his mother
didY Was there another man who would
be as kind and indulgent as his own
father was to him?
For another hour Bud, footsore and
weary, walked about the streets. On
coming there that morning he had deter
mined TO never. never go back home
again, but now the thought OF not going
back choked him and brought tears to
his blue eyes. As the hands Of the clock
N the courthouse, tower pointed to 2
O'Clock Bud turned his face toward the
great HI that lay between town and his
home-home, oh, sweet word!
But the way was long-yery much
longer returning than 1t had been coming.
When about halfway there Bud was
obliged TO sit by the roadside TO rest a
bit His appetite returning, with assur-
ance TINT there In the distance awaited
his mother for him, he took out of the
little pail the remaining lunch. Tint
pumpkin plel How well he remembered
watching his mother make Ii the night
before. Was II Just the night before
Really, II seemed ages since he had stood
by the kitchen table and watched the dear
hands roll the crust TO fit the little pan.
And his mother had said: "A little ha IT,
moon pie for my boys lunch tomorrow"
Whnt If she had switched him that morn
Ing? He knew he deserved the punish
ment And to he once more with her,
who he knew loved him dearly, he would
willingly submit 10 another switching
without complaint.
Just ms lie had finished his luncheon and
was about 10 rise to pursue his walk
homeward he saw coming from the direc-
ton of town a covered vehicle. He de-
cided TO whit and ask the driver for n
lift" IL there Unopened to be room In
the vehicle for one more.
In n few minutes n pair of fine farm
horses, drawing Il top buggy, came close
to Bud and TO his amazement he recog-
nized the horses to be old friends they
were from his own home. AS Bud rose
to ask the driver for n ride he looked
up nto-why, his own fathers face. Then
he saw bis mother on the seat beside bis
father
II did not take him long TO be on the
seat between them. his mothers arm
around his shoulders, rs she gave him a
hearty kiss why, dear child she said.
off your road from schooir'
Bud hung his head In shame, but the
better side of him prompted the plain
truth, and. smuggling closer TO his mother.
he confessed: 81 run away, but but
please whip me good and hard and let me
stay Mt home again. don't want TO run
off any more, 500 | don't" And the
poor fellow ended win SOD, Wniie Inc
tears of repentance fell fast. II won't
miss a day at school, and I'll move my
seat awny from Fat Thompson SO can't
be bad any more and forget TO study my
lessons"
Dear, dear little son." was all his
mother said, but she acted a great deal
more, and his father smiled behind his
mustache as he clneked to Zim and Vim,
the dear old horses. and then said to Bud:
Lots OF places worse than homet isn't
there. Buddyf And lots of things harder
to do than obey your parents. who love
you and do everything for your own
good, isn't theref"