The silver messenger. (Challis, Idaho) 1890-1912, 1907-09-17

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Jacks mother fidgetted with compla
cency, and looked admiringly at the
vision at her feet-a vision of golden
curls, rich, creamy complexion, and
the most tempting briar-rose cheeks
a small boy, clad from top to toe in
spotless white. He was a pretty boy.
She knew there was no denying that
fact, and so she did not tarry to ask
herself the meaning of that inscruta-
BILE look that was dawning in the great
brown eyes. A look new and strange,
it would have seemed to her, for she
was all a-fiutter with maternal vanity.
Mrs. Perham sighed.
How fortunate you are Matte, she
said. Jack is such perfect gentle
man, and takes all the lovely dressing
you can think up for him, but my
James" She sighed again, and
Jacks mother laughed, for the mere
mention of James, the unspeakable,
usually provoked smiles in Oldtop.
You needn't laugh, Matte. ! as
sure you it is anything but funny to
be the mother of a freckled little
tough, that will not stay clean two
minutes after he is dressed"
Jacks mother laughed again.
"Oh, James is all right, only it is a
pity that he looked like the Perhams
instead of like our family-that is all!
| do believe, though, Jennie dear, that
If Won would ,,uro,,a a diAarapt oourco
with him, you could mold him as
much to your liking as Jack is to
mine. Now, no matter if he does re-
bel at blouses and frills and other
things that he ought to wear as a mat
ter of course, you ought to make him
understand that your will is to be his
law about his dress for a good many
years to come yet"
How can |? | told him only last
week that if he would wear a sweet
little brown linen sailor suit to the
Fourth of July celebration | would
give him a dollar-now what do you
suppose Jim said to that? Why, he
simply looked up from his paper and
said, Take her up on it, son, and get
your dollar, and then father will give
you another to go out and roll in a
mud-puddle with that suit on"
Jennie Perham! You don't mean
to say that Jim Perham set your au-
thority at naught in that way?y
"Oh, he didn't mean to set it at
naught-but he is always saying that
he cannot bear to see country people
trying to put on city airs" Mrs.
Perham stopped suddenly and bit her
lip at a recollection of the connection
in which he had said this, but Jack S
mother did not seem to feel hit, so
she continued He is given to abet-
ting James in all of his shines, any
way, and l simply haven't the back.
bone to undertake the Quelling of the
two of them"
There's where you and / differ!"
said her sister. Now listen to me.
Go right on and make that linen suit
for the Fourth, and when the time
comes let him choose between wear.
ing it and staying at home all day,
and you will see that he will come to
terms; then, when ne has worn it
there will be no more trouble. Don't
say word to Jim about it. and above
all, do not try to hire James-iust
be firm and positive and you will see
that you will carry your point readily.
He really would be strikingly hand
some boy If he were well dressed, and
whether you will believe me or not.
his freckles and his snaggled teeth
look a great deal worse to you than
they do to anyone else"
They left the room and Jackie, aged
seven, looked out of the window
across the street at his cousin James
turning a handspring in the dust of
a vacant lot, and then down at his
own immaculateness, with envy and
rebellion in his soul.
The Fourth came 1t was in the
south, where the sound of fireworks
did not smite the morning air. Early
In the morning the people began IN
gather from all the country round
Tor oldtop was to do itself proud this
oay' and was keeping open house.
Jacks mother. flushed and charm.
ing in white and lavendar-the first
appearing in anything else than wild
ows weeds for a long time-came
down the street, leading her lovely
child by the hand He was all in
white, except for tiny bow of blue
ribbon, which peeped out from under
the broad-rolling brim of a handsome
white sailor-the bow of which tied
back the long front locks, which were
saving for subsequent use. His
little shoes were white, too, so he had
to walk circumspectly, to avoid mud
and dusty spots.
They paused moment at the gate
for Mrs. Perham, who came down the
walk. drawing on her long white SIM
mitts.
Why, Jennie, where is James %
asked Jacks mother.
James is in bed" replied Mrs %.
ham, firmly. 81 have locked mn on
his other clothes, and laid out the lin
en- suit and the tan shoes. and he CO.. 40
bed" 'ne uay IN
That's right-be firm and nos,t,,o
ana you will carry your no,nt