The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1906-04-13

ted the boy on the back and said:
Had enough. sonny? Then we win
60 upstairs and see Mrs. Bowser."
81 don't like her." was the reply.
"You don't?"
NO. She's no good"
do you hear that sir" asked the
cook as Mr.. Bowser turned red and
hesitated to make answer.
II hear, Sarah, but, OF course, he
means nothing by it." was the reply
after a moment.
"Oh, he don't Ell? It's nothing when
a young villain like him calls a lady no
good! II l had my way
There, there, Sarah! Say no more
about it. The boy evidently has a hui
morous side TO his nature, and I am
sure he has no idea Of being impudent.
l think | will raise your wages a dollar
a month. and you needn't mind telling
Mrs. Bowser that he referred to her as
no good"
Hand in hand they went up to the sit
ting roo and Mrs. Bowser. AS they
entered the room the cat came for
ward. and the boy made a vicious kick
at her.
Hes a bit frolicsome," explained
Mr.. Bowser as he seated the lad. "Per-
haps he lever saw a cat before and is
afraid of her"
eff be had kicked her he would have
got a box on the ear" replied Mrs.
Bowser a little grimly. "Now that you
have filled him up you had better turn
him outdoors"
Would Not Turn Him Out.
What. Turn a lost boy out to freeze
to death! Don't let me hear any such
sentiments from you. By the sacred
bull, if I was as flint hearted as you
are I'd go hang myself"
''She's a lulu" said the boy as his
eyes roved around in search Of the cat.
Dub, what's your name?" asked Mr..
Bowser as he saw Mrs. Bowser grow
ing pale.
Mud" answered the boy, with a
grin.
Cant you remember the name of
the street you live on?
"Nope."
"Have you got a father and mother?'
"Yep."
"How did you come to get lost?"
"Chasin' meself."
The impudence of the thing was too
apparent. Mr.. Bowser flushed up and
looked stern and continued:
D you think you could find your
way home alone from the corner?"
But I'm go!n' to stay all night"
Il don't know whether you are or
not. What does your father work at?'
"Nawthin'."
And your mother?
"Nawthin'."
Mrs. Bowser turned her head to hide
a smile, and Mr.. Bowser's redness of
face and neck increased as he said:
What can you expect of a child
brought up as he has been? The Door
little fellow
Boy Attacks Bowser.
"Say, don't get anything to
smoker interrupted the lad as he look
ed about for cigar stubs.
II guess, sonny, you had better 60"
said Mr.. Bowser, after a painful 81
lence.
y bet l won't go!" replied the young
beiligerent.
Mr.. BOwser rose up and took him by
the han! to lead him down the hall.
and the ~yOungster dropped to the floor
and seized his advocate by the leg with
his teeth.
Take the viper off, shouted Mr..
Bowser, in n that brought the cook
running upstairs. but the viper" had
to be chO.icd OF, and we'll choked at
that. Moreover. he wouldn't walk a
step and had to be dragged out and
left in the vestibule. When the door
had been closed on him he ran down
the steps, found a chunk of ice and
returned and shattered the glass in the
door. Mr.. Bowser made u dash for
him, but was too late.
And how do you like the fatherly
business as far as you have gomez"
asked Mrs. Bowser.
Mr.. Bowser didn't reply. He went
down cellar to tinker with the furnace,
and be tinkered so. we'll and was gone
SO long that Mrs. Bowser was abed
when he came upstairs. NJ. QUAD.
Great Proyocation