Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1906-03-23


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 approach, 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 ye
the bonnet?" And another exclaimed:
Gentry pup!"
Never mind, Macgreegor," whisper
ed John.
'T-Tm 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 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
did not mean to be unkind but at the
sight of their little friend Il stared
for moment, and then fled snigger-
| ing. And from a window above came
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
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 forehead, 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 ye a dozen bon
nets"
They entered the house.
"Ye're 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. "Ill not wear
it! III not wear it! l will not be
gentry! l will not be gentry!" he
moaned, and rushed from the house,
sobbing 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 beautiful hat an that
genteel, an l paid" she began ere
he had finished.
"Im not carin' what ye 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 mock o.
him, ye would"
Here, John, hold wee Jeannie,"
said Lizzie, abruptly. Il must sec
what's come over him. Dinna
cry. duckie. See if ye can keep her
quiet, John"
Lizzie was absent for few minutes,
and returned looking miserable. 81
Gamma see him, John. Ye might go
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
why didn't run after him at first.
But I'll away an see If / can get him
now. An'-an', Lizzie, yell not say
anythin' about the hat? I'll bring it
up If ye want to keep it."
"No. I'll not say anythin', but it's
a real fine hat. an that genteel, an
l expect somebody's run off with it
already"
Just then Macgreegor walked in,
looking rather ashamed of himself,
and with the tears scarcely dry. Yet,
at the tenderly solicitous expressions
OF his parents, he smiled as IL he had
been waiting permission to do so.
Paw, there's a"
"Give yer NAV kiss" said John.
"Ye're an awful laddie," murmured
Lizzie, cuddling him.
Paw, there's wee"
'Would ye like a currant cake for