The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-05-12

Ing: ''Good morning. Miss Dannle. Hope you have your dolies with you"
 To Danny's relief no one save Tom and the other boy heard this conversation. The other children were all talking at once, and paid no heed to the three hoys at the farthest end of the long seat. Danny could have struck Tom and the other tormentor with a vengeance, but he dared not do so in the wagon However, he whispered with his old-time spirit: Just you fellows walt till we git into the woods away from the rest anI I'll show you few things"
 "Ah, you're Dan again." laughed Tom Moore. "I wondered where your spirit had gone. But what means all these fur bellows n manners?'
 Danny had no chance to answer just then, for Mrs. Davis was asking some question or him. and he had to give Ter his attention.
 After an hours ride the picnic party arrived at the grove where the festival was to be held Danny assisted with the preparation of tables and hanging ol swings With the boys he was hinseIf. but in the presence of the girls and Mrs. Davis he was strained and painfully proper in manner.
 After the dinner had all been spread Mrs. Davis appointed the children To their seat5. p,ecing Danny between An nie Si ell anu her own little daughter Lulu. At first Danny felt at his ease. bug n.inent later his promise came to his mind, and he became very self-con- scious. He thought to be very polite, and began by passing some pie to Annie. who burst out laughing and said: Why, that comes later, you Soose Danny swallowed his embarrassment as best he could. He turned to Lulu, who was busy with sandwich. Rowing very low, he asked: Do you like sandwiches? l think them very common" Of course, Lulu laughed at him, causing him to blush And thinking he had said something lm- proper, he hastened to make his excuses 'Oh, l mean some sandwiches are com mon. But my mother made the one you are-are-devouring. It Is very fine."
 I'm eating. not d-e-v-o-u-r-i-n-g," em- phaszed Lulu. But how funny you are today, Dan. You act as though you'd been laundered and starched and roned You are as stiff and proper as new shoes. You make me laugh
 Cant a man become a gentleman without causing-causing merriment?" asked Danny, his confusion growing.
 .'Oh, that's it1' And Lulu glanced at Annie; then both little misses laughed wickedly.
 Then came the dessert. Danny, anx- ious to reipstate himself In the favor of HIS tWV ittic iOTSOt TOT the mo- ment his promise to his mother. He grabbed up two oranges and began toss ing them In the air and catching them on his shoulder. Lulu lodged the falling fruit looking mortified at the behavior of Danny. Annie cried out and sprang away from the table. saying: Such table manners" Mrs. Davis attention was called to Danny. She shook her head at him, saying: Don't forget where you Danny. Ton mnSt ba nep
 This was too much for Danny Spring ing to his feet he cried out vehemen.ly: I'm laughed at and poked fun at if play the gentleman If l act just nat ural-like an everyday boy-I get scolced and make girls run from me. guess I'll have to go In crowd all by myself. Then nobody will be uncomfortable or make me uncomfortable"
 Mrs. Davis-mother that she was-came to Danny's side and drew from him the secret of his misery. After Danny's priv ate confession about the promise to his