The Birmingham age-herald., 1906-09-16

happy to see her. You'll take us Into the side show, won't yoe mammar he asked, never stopping to ask how she came to be there
 ''I'll take you home and send you right to bed," said his mamma, in a tone of voice new to Tommy. This running away can no longer go unpunlshed The first time 1 forgaye-sO did papa; but for this second offense you must suffer fhe penalty. Come-ail three of yoL." And Tommy's mother laid a stern hand on her sons shoulder, pushing him in front of her through the crowd. Maybe you would Ike to know how l found you" she said, after they had glined the sidewalk. "I saw you as you wen. down the street with these children. 1 made uo my mind to follow you and keep out os your sight, just to see what you would do and how long you would stay. Hadn't l been here you would all have been lost. for you were turning in the wrong dlrec- ton on leaving the tents Now, we'll stop by my house and leave my dlso- bedient boy in bed, where he goes with ont his supper. Then I'll take these children home to their parents and report where they have been all afternoon"
 The next morning Tommy, with a hun ger he had never before felt. awakened carly. He had been put to bed supper less, and his papa had come into his room and talked a long time In no gentle manner. He had impressed Tommy with what he said, too, for during the lengthy discourse be had told him how he had intended to take Tommy and mamma and go 10 the circus that night. Mamma and he had talked 1t over several days before the circus came, planning to say nothing to Tommy about 1t till they were ready to go, thinking the surprise would be such joy to him. But this act of dis .Az bnA all of them-Tommy having to go to bed supperless, while papa and mamma were miserable all evening to think they had a little son who would give them so mucn trouble.
 As Tommy lay there thinking it all over the door opened and his mamma came in, carrying a bundle of clothing In her arms. Come, get up, son." she said. Since you have been given to running away of late, and as l am afraid to let you out Of my sight unless l do something to guard against your repeat Ing your past bad actions, 1 have decided to dress you like a girl until you be- come more trustworthy and obedient."
 ''Oh, mamma, please don't dress me like a girl" he pleaded, trying to hide his face underneath the covers. But mamma was deaf to his pleadingc, and in a few minutes had Tommy dressed out in a full suit of his little girl cousins. Evidently his mamma had gone to her sisters house last night and borrowed a suit of her little niece's In which to robe Tommy this morning.
 It was with hanging head and a shamed face that Tommy was led by his mamma to the breakfast table. His papa looked at him with cold eyes, saying, "Thomas. take your seat and hold up your head"
 Thus the day passed, Tommy never dar- ing to peep outside the house for fear some of his friends might see him and laugh and make fun of him in girls clothes. At dinner, when papa came home, he brought the news that his brother aud family, which consisted of a wife and two little sons-one Tommy's age-were coming the next morning to pay them a visit. Then Tommy could keep silence no longer, and cried out:
 ''Oh, please, mamma, don't make me wear these things when Cousin Bob and Cousin Frank are here. They'll call me girl-baby if l look like this"
 But before allow you to dress in your own clothes there is something you must say, my little son-a promise you must make, and make with the deter imitation of keeping, too." replied mamma.
 "Yes. mamma and papa, dear, snas.