Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-07-27
A SAD MISTAKE.

Marjorie, poor child. was continually
getting into hot water" as the saying Is.
She was not bad little girl. nor a very
mischievous one. but she was fond OF
fun. and fond. also. Of her big cousin Jim.
She followed him in all things his devoted
little slave. and II Jim had said to her:
Marjorie stand on your head for half an
hour" she would have performed this
astonishing feat without a murmur. And
so far did she carry her hero worship that
a slap on her shoulder and well done.
youngster!' would have been reward
enough.
Jims admirers were few: he was really
a great, overbearing boy at the age of four
teen Marjorie and Jim were thrown a great
deal together. because they lived in the
same house. This was secret bliss to Mar
jorie and great convenience to Jim.
One day Marjorie was reading in the par
lor: not that she wanted to read in the
parlor, oh, mol 1t was Saturday. and q
perfect day out Of doors; but, unfortunate
ly. she had undertaken to melt some rub
Der for Jim over the kitchen fire. An I'M
pleasant odor arose therefrom, and In pun
ishment she was deprived OF her liberty for
the morning.
She was accustomed to suffer in silence,
for Jim's sake. and meekly proud to bear
his punshments. Sometimes Jim felt sorry
for her, and on this special morning he
missed her companionship.
Here, catch!' he called. tossing a ball
into her lap.
'.Oh. Jim. you mustn't You'll break the
mirror"
Not If you catch all right; it'll be your
fault if you don't
But mamma said
Drive 1t back!' commanded Jim.
Marjorie threw 1t back, as Jims word
was law. and the game grew animated
Marjorie stood up to throw better, but one
of Jim's "balls'' missed aim, flew past her
and crashed into the mirror. shattering 1t
at the blow
Marjorie uttered a little shrek and stood
still in fright.
'Stup!d!' cried Jim. and flew like the
young savage he was.
Poor Marjorie mechanically picked up the
ball. amt then stood staring at the ruined
mirror.
1t was in this position that her mother
found her. The ball in her hand and the
broken glass told the story.
Marjorie's mamma was slow to anger.
but Marjorie had already deserved one pun
ishment this morning. and the destruction
Of the mirror was enough to make any
mother angry.
PERI ''''''N' " 81 - 80 |'''' '''N' ~
At this awful threat Marjorie burst into
tears, but she couldn't betray Jim.
Oh mamma, mamma, l didn't she
began.
II know you didn't mean to. but that
doesn't excuse you playing bail in the par
lor mend my beautiful mirror. Come.
not another word" And filed with right
eous anger mamma led the way and poor
Marjorie suffered the disgrace in a spirit
of sacrifice worthy a better cause.
Jim, ashamed OF his sudden boiling. came
back to the house filed with q manly de-
sire to make a clean breast of it. He met
his aunt coming down the stairs after the
ordeal with the slipper.
Il say. Aunt Meg" he began fumbling
with his cap. I'm awfully sorry. you know.
but-but-I didn't mean to" he blurted.
Didn't mean te-what. Jim?'
Toto break the mirror
Aunt Meg stared at him. You broke
the mirror?' she gasped
Aunt Meg turned and fled upstairs again.
She had left Marjorie sobbing the bed.
'Oh. my poor little gri.'' she cried fling
ing herself beside her. and Marjorie, who
thought that day that wonders would
never cease and found herself caught
up and cudded and kissed and cried
over. All manner of nice things were
thrust upon her, from the little china
doll with real hair which she had long COW
eted. to delightful treat to the circus.
Ard Jim went. too. sober. chastened Jim;
for Marjories undcserved punishment had
a great effect upon him. Certain it was,
however. from that day Marjorie ceased to
be a slave.
She admired and followed as of old but
when it came to punlshments she drew the
line. In this she was aided by mamma
who always questioned closely, remember
ing the slipper episode. And 1t must be
said for Jim he never again lodged chas-
tisement. but up and took it" like a man.
Poor Jim,