Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1905-07-19

CO ED was not at the breakfas:
table when his father and moth
er were discussing his delin-
Quencies. It was Saturday morning
and he was upstairs in wide, sunny
room at the back Of the house called
the store room, though in reality 1t
was given over to Ted as work shop.
He had taken his bread and milk
breakfast early that morning, as he
had an electrical device in his mind
which he was developing from two tin
cans and some copper wire. combined
with toy battery.
Ted was Mr.. and Mrs. Edward Full
er's only child and In him rested the
emphasis Of their lives. He never had
given them trouble before, and to
speak OF severe discipline in connec-
ton with Ted was a new and unpleas-
ant sensation.
He came home from school late
again yesterday afternoon" his mother
related, almost tearfully. "That was
the third time 1t has occurred this
week. The time. before told him it
must never happen again. He prom
Used me faithfully 1t should not and
the very next afternoon he was late.
I don't want to restrict him too much,
but after school closes I want him to
report at home and let me know what
he intends to do. He promised me he
would and then disobeyed me. I never
knew Ted to be deliberately disobedi-
ent before" she lamented.
Ted's father listened with a frown
Of perplexity marking his brow. He
was astonished to learn that Ted
Joyous, sweet-tempered, ten years old
Ted-should be turning unruly
What do you think we should doY
ne asked after moments thought.
His wife's voice was tremulous
when she answered.
II told him yesterday we should
have to punish him. He would not ex.
plain what kept him and-and-"
she hesitated as If dreading to make
the revelation. "Oh, Edward, he looked
as though he had been fghtingw
She hid her face in her hands and
shuddered at the enormity of Ted's
offense.
The boys father with difficulty re-
strained a smile, remembering like ex-
periences Of his own boyhood.
'Oh, WELL" he said cheerfully, "that
10 not such terrible thing. Boys have
TO cool of with a fight once in a
while"
"Edwardv his wife exclaimed in a
voice filled with reproach, "that does
not excuse his disobedience. For his
own sake he must be held in control"
mo, he should not have d1sobeyed
you," Ted's father admitted. II sup
pose I shall have to whip him, but I'd
rather take a beating myself. I be-
Neve that is what my father Used to
do to me when kicked clear over the
traces" he reflected.
His wife did not answer at once and
ne took her silence for consent He got
MP from the table slowly and walked
across the room, lingering on his steps
Mrs. Fuller, dreading the crisis she
had precipitated, courted delay.
isn't there some other way2" she
asked, pleadlngly.
Ted's father shook his head. "As
remember" he said, ran interview
with a switch was particularly effect
i've. I was never hurt much, but It
stung my pride so I was careful to
avoid doing the things forbidden. We
might as we'll have it over and I think
considering Ted's disposition, 1t is not
likely to occur again"
BY this time Ted's mother was in
tears.
"oh, Edward" she sobbed, don't
hurt himg'
She heard Ted come bounding down
the stairs in a CHEEKY, "All right, I'm
coming" in answer to his fathers
summons.
She did not wait to hear more, but
ned to her room, where she shut and
locked the door. She flung herself on
the couch and buried her head in the
pillows in fear Of hearing Ted's cries.
Knowing her boy as she did, 1t was
foolish Of her to think he might cry
out, and knowing Ted's father as she
did 1t was foolish of her to think lie
would be too severe. After all it would
be only a bit Of mild discipline which
never should be repeated.
"NeYerw she exclaimed nercely,
springing to her feet and clenching her
hands. "Neverv
It seemed to her but yesterday that
Ted was tiny, soft baby whose
silken head fitted so snugly into the
curve Of her neck. And Ted was such
a "cuddly" baby; he never resisted her
when she nestled him in her arms. he
was such "cuddlo doom" baby. The
memory wrun6 her heart; she could