St. Tammany farmer., 1907-08-24

John Graham warned Margaret
Dunham when he married her that
hers would not be a hfe of ease.
My little Helen is all that any one
could desire. but my boy-what his
aunt and l have endured the last four
years is beyond my power to de-
scribe! have felt tempted some
| times to be thankful that his mother
died. He is not prepossessing either
In looks or manners; sullen, mischiev,
ous-everything disagreeable; and
his principles! How | came to have
such boy is mystery"
There! Don't think about it," said
Margaret. But don't consider him
unprepossessing. He isn't handsome,
but red hair and freckless and big
teeth aren't hopeless; as for his man
ners and principles, we'll get him new
SETS" she said, gayly.
Mr.. Graham sighed.
Il hope you are not too sanguine.
He nearly drove his aunt mad"
One day week of two after Mar
Helen said Importantly: Papa,
James was sent into the dressing
room today for being bad. Jennie
Quigley told me So" d
James looked up as if about to
speak, but shut his lips firmly as his
father said: Not word, sir! Leave
the table. I'll attend to you after din
ner"
The boy went, glancing at Helen
and then at Mrs. Graham with an ex-
preston that puzzled his step-mother
After Helen had left the room,
Margaret said: John, while you are
in mood, you might as we'll punish
Helen for tale-bearing. The cold
blooded way with which she reported
him was dreadful. And James is very
kind to her, I've noticed. I wonder
he doesn't hate her. would, if were
he. And don't you think, John, you'd
better inquire into the details of this
AFFAIR.""
HE wouldn't tell me the TRUTH"
groaned Mr.. Graham. Il can't be-
4ACNC q "OIu A4S says. Ills
Mrs. Graham interrupted him.
His aunt! A more prejudiced
woman l never saw. She detested
him because she thought him homely,
and despised him because he forgot
to hang up his hat and comb his hair
occasionally. I learned all I want to
know about his aunt in one inter-
view"
Mr.. Graham looked Mortified.
She's a good Christian woman,
who tried to do her duty by my dear
motherless children" he said, sternly.
"Yes, she may have tried: I don't
doubt that, but There! Don't let's
quarrel about her. But I beg of you,
John, not to punish James until you
have questioned him. Anyway, to be
sent into the dressing-room isn't a
matter calling for much anxiety.
think depriving him of his pineapple
pudding which Jane made on purpose
for him-he's a great favorite of
hers, by the way-was quite enough;
too much, indeed, judging from his
standpoint"
Margaret" he said, suppose you
try your hand with him a week or
two. If it's too much trouble, or if
you spoil him, I'll try again or else
send him away to school,
Nothing would suit me BETTER"
said Margaret.
We'll, Jimmie boy" she began, a
few hours later, seating herself on
the bed beside him.. your father has
turned you over into my hands for
punishment; so now begin and tell
me what heinous offense you COM
mitted that you were thrust into out
er darkness"
He smiled a little, and then look
ing up with his eyes full of tears,
said: Oh, l don't care nothing about
a whipping; but what gets me crazy
Is that Helen likes to tell on me-
Aunt Kate made her at first, and now
she does it herself. There's no use
telling father anything-he thinks
me thief and a liar and-and-"
"No, no." said Margaret, shocked |
he doesn't. You don't understand |
each other, that's all"
Aunt Kate told him l stole
nickel and he believed it," he said, |
bitterly, "and he whipped me-"
Tell me about it," she said, sooth-
ingly.
You won't tell father"
mo-" she promised
well, teacher asked us to bring
five cents for Thanksgiving day col
lection. I had spent all my money
and asked for a nickel and Aunt Kate
give it to me. Then it was
gone and she told father" He stopped
and controlled a sob. "The next day
Helen told her she had taken it and
forgot to tell, and father doesn't
know yet"
WHAT said Margaret not belieI-
ng her ears; "she let your father
,hink you had taken the money, even
after she found out you hadn't?"
He nodded, unable to speak.
Helen said Margaret, suddenly,
come in here"
Helen came running in in her night
lress.
Helen, why didn't you tell your
ather that James had not taken the