Montour American. (Danville, Pa.) 1866-1920, 1907-03-14


Willie sat on the steps in a distinctly
unhappy mood. 1t was the first OF
July, bright and beautiful The garden
was ablaZe with flowers and he could
pick as many as he wanted. His ball
and books and little fire engine lay on
the porch beside him, and his collie pup
was begging him to come and play, but
Willie had no heart for any Of these at.
fractions.
He was grieved. What was the use,
he reflected, of being the only child II
your father ana mother go away for
two weeks and leave you at home?
What was the use Of having a young
aunt stay at your house II she shut her
self up in her room and wouldn't come
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 go? Life was
full of terrible problems. He was just
wondering If he hadn't better cry about
it when he saw 4 friend coming down
the street and hastily changed his
mint
This friend was n less person than
Max HarwooI. chief of the volunteer
fir. department of Norwood, commo-
&C : OF the lvcti yachting club and a
hero In Willie's eyes. By some mys-
te Gus coincidence Commodore Max
appeared on the scene with great
pgOmptnaSs and frequency whenever
Willia's aunt. Miss MarjOry Dean, came
for visit. and as these visits had been
rather numerous during the year just
passed Willie knew him we'll enough
10 rummage through his pockets and to
boast about their intimacy whenever
any of the other boys needed a little
wind taken ont OF their sails.
To Willle's surprise Max was pass
ing with merely a wave of the hand
20 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 us?"
Guess not, Hannibal; it's pretty
early for company"
you have been earlier than this"
said the child reproachfully.
"Well-er-l'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 tix mp the boat. You
can help me-"
Tie delighted child raced back to the
housc for his cap and then was off
hand in hand with the commodore
HAPPY as a lark.
Ti-y worked all the morning on the
Doe. and then the commodore took
Wine UP the river for sail.
Are you going to the circus, Aga
mennon?" inquired Max, by way of
conversation.
With recurrent touch of gloom
Willie was forced to admit that he
didn't think he was.
We'll. I'd like to take somebody OF
Just about your size" went on his host,
'and think that somebody is you.
What do you say, my hearty"
"Fine, Fine" shouted Willie.
We'll heave no, there and We'll
splice the main brace. Keep out of the
lee scuppers while hoist the mainsail.
Hal Ulysses, what do you think Of
that?" And Max. who loved to mix
up nautical terms for Willie's enter
taInne.it, made the cleanest kind of a
landing 1T his own pier.
did you ever shiver your timbers,
commodore asked Willie
lots " times, Wellington, and still
live to tell the tale Don't forget about
the Fourgh-side shows, fat lady, pea
nuts, elephants. pink lemonade-we'l
see 1t all"
"Indeed won't! cried the child,
wild with delight rs he raced into the
house to tell his aunt
She WAS watching for him anxiously
"Oh. Willie boy. where have you