Montour American. (Danville, Pa.) 1866-1920, 1906-03-08

with her precious offspring, but Mrs.
Germaiue always had been one of the
first to accept, and for the sake of her
pretty sister some one had volunteered
20 remain behind with the siX-year-old.
Usually ii had been Turner or Bascom,
for they had leen rivals for Nellie Car
ter's affections ever since the season
had opened.
Jefford had made good headway in
attracting Nclle's attention, but this
was the first time he had sought 10
gain her favor by remaining at home
with Bobby, and he would not have
been left out OF the party this time had
II not been that Nellie herself had made
the request
II was piazza gossip that Bobby was
a sort Of test as TO the fitness Of Mel
lies suitors, and that the masterful
Mrs. Germaine would throw the bal
anCe Of her favor to the fortunate man
who hal most successfully filed the
role of day nurse to her young hopeful.
Jeforl loved Nellie sincerely. but he
had avoided these tete-a-teteS with
Bobby religiouSly. Now he watched
the rest Of the summer party down the
road and lifted his eyes Just in time to
behold Bobby falling into the tiny
fountain on the lawn. He had 10 form
his small body into an almost complete
circle to accomplish this result. but he
was successful and moment later
was dragged forth. wet and wailing,
10 be sent upstairs to his nurse to be
dried out.
Twenty minutes later he was on the
lawn in a now linen suit and Jefford
raced across the grass just in time to
prevent him from cutting his hands on
the mower.
Jefforl went back to his book, and
Bobby crossed tie road to the pasture
beyond. whence there presently arose
agonized cries. and Jefford arrived in
time to haul Bobby over the fence be-
fore his change of venue was assisted
by goat Tor moment there was a
decided inclination to lay the young
ster across lis knee, but there came
the realization that he was his aunt's
nephew. and beyond a mild rebuke
there were no developments.
Through rhe morning Bobby man.
aged to get INTO half a dozen scrapes.
from which he was rescued by his
guardian before serious complications
arose. and only the ring Of the dinner
bell saved him from seeking to inter
view the bull in the north pasture
The meal was comparatively peace
rul. for the nursegirl was In attend
ance 10 check any demonstration, but
she conveniently vanished after the
meal, and Jefford sat upon the porch
with his after dinner cigar and won
dered how it was that Turner and
Bascom had been able to get through
an entire dar without committing mur-
der
Half dozen times through the morn
Ing he h0l been moved to take decided
action and had been restrained there
from only by the thought Of what Mel
lie would say. but when Bobby dug UP
from somewhere the remnants of his
Fourth OF July stock OF firecra kers
and proceeded to set them off in the
heuhouse, where dozen hens were
on their nests. Jeford's patience gave
way
With firm grasp upon the offenders
collar he irl him toward the porch. /
while Bobby. with streaming eyes. de
veloped an unexpected fertility Of In
vention IN explaining what he would
Ray t. his iuothc. md his aunt upon
their return
What he could say TO Mrs. Germaine
was a matter Of complete Indifference
10 Jeifa-i, ana for the moment he was
not TO he moved even by Ire use of
Nellie's name. ON the piazza there was
short scuffle in which Bobby held
his own remarkably well, and there
after the sound Of voice raised In
anguish and the smack of a broad
palm upon well stretched cloth.
"Afr Turner never spanked me-"
gnobbed Bobby. Aunt Nell won't like
you when I tell her how cruel you was
10 me"
II know IT," was Jeffords amiable
response, but for your souls saliva
ton you simply had to have that spank
ing, and you'll get another If l catch
you up to any Of your tricks again"
That afternoon Peace sat on the front
piazza with Bobby, and for the first
tine since his arrival on the farm the
live stock spent quiet afternoon.
Jefford enjoyed the quiet as much as
they did. but il was with a flushed face
that be met the party on it's return
and received Mrs Germaine's compll-
ments upon the excellent care he had
teken Of the boy