Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1907-11-13

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"Hey, you there?" shouted the nice
old gentleman, in terrifying tones
"What are you doing in that aster
hed?"
The little boy started violently and
almost fell over as he backed out, but
recovered himself, seeing that the old
gentleman was smiling. Can 1 have
some Of them, gramper?" he asked. 81
won't only take a few more"
Chats right, Johnny" said the nice
old gentleman, c0mmendingly. always
ask for anything that you want after
you've taken it. 1t saves the person
you ask the pain of denying you and
you the disappointment of being re-
fused. Don't pull them up by the roots,
that's all. Wouldn't you like me to
trim the stems with my knife? think
the young lady will prefer them that
way. SO this is where my asters have
been going!"
The little boy looked guilty.
81 don't think you intend to be Grim
inal, Johnny" the old gentleman pro
ceeded, as he trimmed the stems. 81
can make excuses for you, having been
young myself once. When a young man
becomes madly infatuated with young
woman know that his moral sense is
often blunted and he loses sight of the
rights Of property. l haven't any doubt
that you have been encouraged by this
young person to some extent, or you
wouldn't have continued to run the
daily risk of discovery. You heard me
speaking about those asters st the din
ner table two days ago, didn't you"
The little boy nodded.
"And you heard me say I'd skin any
body alive 1 caught taking them, didn't
you?"
Eyes, sir"
"But you weren't deferred by the
prospect of a cruel death from crafty
ing the aesthetic tastes of the adored
one. She said they were perfectly beau
tiful flowers and it was 50 kind Of you
to bring them and she smiled at you
and patted you on the top Of your tow
head and because she Gid that you did
not care whether you were skinned or
not, eh?'
"She didn't" said the little boy.
Didn't what?"
"She didn't pat me on the head"
81 suppose she knew that you would
resent that. She put her arms around
you and kissed you, didn't she?"
The little boy grew red, but said
nothing.
I thought as much," said the old
gen tleman. 81 make no doubt Of it.
You've told her that you love her, of
course?"
The little boy dug his toes into the
flower bed.
Il hope you haven't asked her to
marry you. don't know that l would
like to have a young woman who acts
that way a member of the family"
The little boy became still redder
"She doesn't act that way" he said in
dignantly. "She's the incest lady ever
knew"
q respect your defense Of her," said
credit. 1 hope she may be all that you
say and L apologize for anything 1 have
said disparaging her. That's as between
man and man, and l can say no fairer,
can I? You see, you must make allow
ances for the natural anxiety Of a
grandparent. / was afraid that she
might be what the vulgar call string
ing you along and that some day she
would throw you over for that long
legged young man with the small side
whiskers that I've seen walking with
her few times. But probably she has
assured you that your jealousy is un-
founded. / WON'T inquire too particu-
larly into the matter. But the next
time you want asters you come to me
and let me do the cutting. 1 won't have
them dragged out by the roots. Do you
hear?"
eyes, sir"
"And, johnny" added the nice old
gentleman, as he handed over the bou-
Quet, "this one may be an exception,
but 1 know these school teachers. You
keep your eye peeled. Chicago Daily
News.
MARGARET'S STUNNING.