Mexico Missouri message., 1906-03-29


heard some one behind say:
"Jist look at that, Mrs. FOrgiel IL
that not an awful daft-like hat to put
on a ladder"
ut is that, Mrs. Bawr. / wouldn't
let laddie o. mine go out in a thing
like that for all the gold of Crusoes."
Johns ears tingled, and he nearly
bit the end on his pipe. "Macgreegor,
l think we'll go round and see the
drummer" he said.
Nav, want to see that man blow
his trumpet" said Macgreegor, who,
fortunately. had not heard his critics.
Some folk" observed Mrs. Bawr,
rs very fond o. tryin' to be gentry"
'Macgreegor," said John, I'm not
goin' to wait for the man to blow his
trumpet guess he jist carries 1t for
show. Come away with me-" And.
much to his surprise, the youngster
was dragged away.
From that moment Johns pleasure
was at an end. Every smile he OBJ
served, every laugh he heard, seemed
to have personal application. Before
the band performance was finished he
and his son were on their way home,
himself in mortal terror lest the boy
should suffer insult. His worst fears
were soon realized
AS they walked along the street they
were met by two small boys, who
grinned at their approac.., and laughed
loudly behind their backs. John grip
ped the little fingers a thought closer,
but held his peace.
Presently a juvenile voice behind
them yelled: who died an left We
the bonnet?" And another exclaimed:
Gentry pupil"
Never mind, Macgreegor," whisper
ed John.
lin not mindin', paw" said the
boy, TREMENDOUSLY.
Three little girls passed them and
broke into a combined fit of giggling.
One cried "Grandpaw!' after them,
and the trio ran up a close.
But they were nearly home now, and
surely the torment was at an end. But
no! At the corner of the street ap-
peared Willie Thomson and several
other of Macgreegor's playmates. They
sight Of their little friend they stared
for a moment, and then fed Singer
ing. And from a window above came
a jeering hail: "Haw, you with the
fancy hat!" followed by the imperti-
nent eXhortation: Come out the bon.
net an let's see yer feet" Finally, as
they hurried into the familiar entry
a shout came after them, in which the
word gentry" was cruelty distinct.
Climbing the stairs, John wiped the
perspiration Of shame and wrath from
his foreheau, while his son emitted
strange, half-choked sounds.
Never mind, Macgreegor, never
mind" whispered John, patting the
heaving shoulders. "Ie'll not wear it
again, if I've to buy We a dozen bon
nets"
They entered the house.
"Yere early back" said Lizzie,
cheerfully.
CAY, we're early back" said her
husband, in a voice she was not IA
miliar with.
Mercy me! What's the matter?"
she cried. What ails ye, Macgreegor?"
For a moment there was dead
silence. Then Macgreegor dashed his
new hat on the floor. III not wear
it! I'll not wear it! l will not be
gentry! will not be gentry!" he
moaned, and rushed from the house,
tsobbing as if his heart would break.
Devil take the hat!" said John, and,
lifting his foot, he kicked it across the
kitchen, over the jaw-box and out at
the open window.
Lizzie stared at her husband in con-
sternation, and wee JEANNE, not know.
ing what else to do, started screaming
at the, top of her voice.
Have ye gone daft, John?" gasped
Lizzie, at last.
Very near it," he replied. See,
Lizzie" he continued, that hats to
be left in the street, an yer not to
say a word about it to Macgreegor.
Listen!" And he proceeded to supply
her with details.
But it's a beautiful hat an that
genteel, an l paid" she began ere
he had finished.
I'm not carin' what We paid fur t.
I'd sooner lose weeks pay than see
Macgreegor in another Macalpine hat,
or whatever ye call it. . Aw,
Lizzie, if ye had jist seen the way the
poor laddie tried for to keep from cry
in when they was making a mock o.
him, we would"
Here, John, hold wee Jeannie,"
said Lizzie, abruptly. 81 must see
what's come over him. Dinna
cry, duckie, See If We can keep her
quiet, John"
Lizzie was absent for few minutes,
and returned looking miserable. ~
Gamma see him, John, Ye might so
down yerself. He's maybe hidin' from
me-" she said, with a sigh.
mo fear o. that, dearie. But he
doesn't like folk to see him cry. That's
why didn't run after him at first.