The citizen. (Frederick City, Md.) 1895-1923, 1906-09-14


downstairs? And what was the use of
being alive at all when the circus was
coming to town in three days and no
body had invited you to 20? Life was
full of terrible problems He was just
wondering if he hadn't better cry about
it when he saw Il friend coming down
the street and hastily changed his
mind.
This friend was ~ loss Il person than
Max lIarwood. chief Of the volunteer
fire department Of Norwood. commo-
dore of the LEGAL yachting club and
hero in WillieS eyes. by some mys-
ferrous coincidence Commodore Max
appeared on the scene with great
promptness and frequency whenever
Willic's aunt, Miss Marjory Dean, came
for visit ana rs these visits had been
rather numerous during the year just
passed Willie knew him we'll enough
to rummage through his pockets and to
boast about their intimacy Whenever
any of the other boys needed a little
wind taken out of their sails.
~ " me : SURPRISE MIN WIS pass
mg with merely a wave of the hand.
50 the little boy jumped up and ran
after him.
Hello, Napoleon" cheerily called his
hero. 1t was his fancy to call Willie by
the names Of the worlds great gener-
ais, one after another
Good morning. commodore; aren't
you coming in to see u.s."
Guess not, Hannibal; it's pretty
early for company"
you have been earlier than this"
said the child reproachfully.
"WcIl-er-I'm kind of busy this
morning.
Willie was turning away to hide the
hurt lool, in his eyes Nobody wanted
to bother him. Max saw this and has
tily added:
But get your cap and come along.
I'm going down TO fix up the boat. You
can help me"
The delighted child raced back to the
house for his cap and then was off
hand in hand with the commodore,
happy as a lark.
They worked all the morning on the
boat and then the commodore took
Willie up the river for sail.
Are you going to the circus, Aga
memnon:' inquired Max. by way Of
conversation
With Il recurrent touch of gloom
Willie was forced to admit that he
didn't think he was.
well, I'd like to take somebody Of
just about your size" went on his host,
land i think that somebody is you.
What do you say, my hearty"
"Fine, Finer shouted Willie
"Well. heave ho, there, and Wen
splice the main brace Keep out of the
lee scuppers while hoist the mainsail.
Ha, Ulysses, what do you think of
that?" And Max, who loved to mix
up nautical terms for Willie's enter
tainment made the cleanest kind of
landing at his own pier
Did you ever SILVER your timbers,
COMMODORE asked Willie.
Lots of times, Wellington, and still
live to tell the tale. Don't forget about
the Fourth-side shows, fat lady, pea
nuts, elephants, pink lemonade-we'll
see it all"
Indeed | WON'T" cried the child,
wild with delight as he raced into the
house to tell his aunt.
She was watching for him anXiously.
"Oh, Willie boy, where have you
been all the mornlng?" she exclaimed,
kissing him.
He told her breathlessly, and she
listened to his admiration of the COM
modore with rising color.
isn't he perfectly splendid, Aunt
Marjorie? They say there are ten ele-
plants and the lions growl something
awful! But won't be afraid with the
commodore. Only l wish you were
coming too. Wouldn't you like it!
I'm sure he'd take you, too, if you
asked him."
NO, honey, IL don't think so. /