The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1906-01-06

prise. the younsster was dragged a. away.
tf an d ssry s se RI easSSss ss
every laugh he heard, seemed TO hava h
personal application. Before the band
were on their way home. himself In NOR
tai terror lest the boy should suffer In
ey ae fsa aon wer tbs soon s,,as,
were met by two boys, who grnned at
their approach. and laughed loudly be-
hind their backs. John grippcd the little
ringers thought closes. but held HIS
peace.
Presently juvenile voice hchlng them
yelled: WHO died an let ye the bon.
metz" And another exclaimed Gentry
pup!'
Never mind, Macgreegor,c whispered
John.
Him not mindln', paw" said the hoy,
TREMENDOUSLY.
Three little girls passed them and broke
into combined 1T 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 appeared
Willie Thompson and several other OF
Macgreegor's playmates. They did not
mean to be unkind, but at the sight of
their little friend they stared for q mos
inent, and then fled snggertng And from
n window above came a jeerlpg hail:
.Haw. YOU with the fancy hat!" followed
by the impertinent exhortation. Come
out the bonnet nm let's see yer feet" FL
nally, as they hurried into the familiar
entry, shout came after them. In which
the word "gentry'' was cruelty distinct
Climbing the stairs John wiped the per-
SEPARATION of shame and wrath from his
forehead, while his son emitted strange.
half-choked sounds.
Never mind. Masgreegor, never mind,''
Whispered John, patting the heaving
I've to buy we dozen bonnets."
| They entered the house.
"Yere early back" said Lizzie, cheer.
fully. 4
"Ah, we're early back said her hus.
band, In a voice she was not familiar
| with.
] cried. What ails We. McGreegorY''
For moment there was dead silence.
! Ihen Macgreegor dashed his new hat on
! the floor. I'll not wear 1t! I'll not wear
1t! will not be gentryi 1 will notabe
| gentry! he moaned. and rushed from
! the house, sobbing as II his heart would
| break.
Devil take the hat!" said Join, and.
| lifting his foot. he kicked 1t across the
kitchen, over the jaw-box and out at the
| open window.
| Lizzie stared at her husband in con-
| sterna,lon, and wee Jeannie not knowing
what else to do, started screaming at the
/ top of her voice.
Have, We gone daft, John?' gasped Liz
! zie, at last.
Very near It," he replied. see, LIZ
| zie." he continued. that hats to be left
In the street, an yer not to say word
proceeded to supply her with details.
! But It's beautiful hat, an that gem
| teel, an l paid" She began ere lie had
/ finished
I'm not carn' what We paid for It.
"a sooner lose weeks pay than see
! Masgreegor In another Macalpine hat, or
NJ y-n cG1 n
| II We had Just seen the way the poor lad
Y die fried for to keep from cryin when
they was making mock o him, We
I, wound
Here, john. hold wee JEANNE" said
Lizzie, abrupt. II must see what's come
over him. Dinna cry, duckie. See
If we can keep her quiet. jean"
Lizzie was absent for few minutes,
and returned looking miserable. IL Gamma
see him. John. Ye might go down yer
self. He's maybe hidin' from me-" she
said, with a Sigh.
NO fear o. that, dearle. But he doesn5 t
like folk to see him cry That's why
didn't run after him at first. But I'll AVA i.
an see II I can get him now. An'--an ,
Lizzie, yell not say anythin' about the
hat? I'll bring 1t up, If We want to keep
it,
mo. I'll not say anythin'. but it's
real fine hat, an that genteel. an I eN-
pect somebody's run Off with it already
Just then Masgreegor walked in look ing
Adtuei dsLiiiIicu VI euu WIKI ttIt
tears scarcely dry. Yet, at the tenderly
solictous expressions OF his parents. he
smiled as if he had been waiting per-
j mission to do so.
l Paw, there's a."
Give yer nav kiss said John.
"Ye're an awful laddte." mllrmured Liz
gle, cuddling him.
Paw, there's Il wee
would ye like a currant cake for tea,
AIacgreegor?" inquired Lizzie, as she re
leased him.
"Ay, maw,' he answered beaming
Then: Paw, there's a wee dog outside,
an It's worryin' my hat, an It's pullin' 1t
to bits"