The Wahpeton times. [volume] (Wahpeton, Richland County, Dakota [N.D.]) 1879-1919, 1907-05-16


mamma some day." said the small
boy Importantly. Hes such a big
strong fellow. Is this your telephone?'
Don't belong me-" murmured Mr..
Tomkins, closing his eyes. Belongs
mother gentleman"
May I talk through it?' do with
ours at home. When mamma goes
down town and I'm at home she al.
ways speaks to me, and sometimes
Miss Farmer, my governess does too,
and"
BLESS my SOUL" murmured Mr..
iomkins. His chin dropped on his
wooden muller. "Wha's the boy talk
ing about? Play with whatever you
like. my lad. I'll have a doze for q
few minutes"
'Have you ever heard about the
Swiss Family Robinson?"
bill Robson, you mean," said Mr..
Tomkins, opening one eye. "Keeps
cigar shop?"
mo, no, Swiss Family Robinson
Cant say do" said Mr.. Tomkins.
His chin dropped again and his eye
closed. Goodnight"
Master Anstruther took down the
receiver with the air Of one practiced
in the art. A ring came in answer,
and the young man put the tube to
his ear. Number $685." said Master
Anstruther; "and please is Miss
Farmer there?" Miss Farmer being
the young person who had received
the summons, Master Anstruther told
Miss Farmer that he was in such
funny room with such funny man
who had gone to. sleep.
Miss Farmer let him speak to his
dear mamma. And in few moments
the distracted young mother had the
keen delight of hearing her boys pip
ing little voice.
MY dear, sweet boy, is it really
you?"
Eyes, mamma; I'm quite sure about
that
"And I have been nearly out of my
mind because I thought we had lost
you, dear!"
"Oh, I'm not lost mamma" said
the young man confidently.
There was a sound of a deeper
voice at the other end.
"Hullo! Lieut.. Anstruther," said
the voice of Mr.. Brown scheerily,
what ship are you on now"
I'll give you the number" said the
boy, flushing with delight at the old
title. And as it was written on slip
of paper Immediately above the tele-
phone, this was not hard to do.
"On no account leave, lieutenant,
until arrive"
Cali right, Mr.. Brown. Won't be
long, will you?"
Not ten minutes, lieutenant"
What does the fool mean by going
to sleep?" exclaimed Mr.. Bailey.
HE was tired" said the small boy.
Mr. Bailey shook the dormant Tom
kins roughly.
Its all ri Maria," said Mr.. Tom.
kins, opening his eyes and closing
them again; I'm not goin' to work
today"
Wake yourself up, you silly idiot"
cried Mr. Bailey. We've got to set
out at once. How is it the boy is not
asleep?"
Mr.. Tomkins rubbed his eyes and
blinked at Master Anstruther stupidity.
Listen to me, Tomkins," said Mr..
Bailey.
They conferred seriously for few
minutes together, looking now and
again at Master Anstruther.
"Once we get him on the car" said
Mr.. Bailey, well be as safe as
bank. Come right along, youngster."
YES" said Tomkins, with more
suavity, come along. Let's go and
have look at the puff-puff."
Put your cap on straight" said
Mr.. Bailey. land button up your coat
and"
I'm not going to leave this place."
said the small boy, defiantly.
The two men looked at each other.
Here's jolly nuisance" whispered
Tomkins. What are we to do now?"
I'm not going to leave this Office"
repeated Master Anstruther, trem-
bling, until my dear mamma comes;
Your ma" said Mr.. Bailey, cant
come here jest for the moment, SO
we'll get on train and go and meet
her."
II shall not CO." said Master Harry
Anstruther.
Then we'll just have to make you,s
said Mr.. Bailey. "Tie this handker.
chief over his mouth, Tompkins.
Don't let's hurt the little beggar,"
urged Tomkins.
IF you dare to touch me-" said
Master Anstruther (his small face
turned very white), "I'll tell Mr..
Brown, and he"
A sound of footsteps on the land.
ing. A sound, too, of voices.
why, there he is" exclaimed the
boy, delightedly. "And that's my
dear mamma talking now"
Pardon me-" said Tomkins to Mr..
Bailey.
"This jobs getting a bit too thick.
I'm going to slope out of this win.
der" .
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