The Beaver herald. [volume] (Beaver, O.T. [Okla.]) 1895-1923, 1907-08-08

What a perfectly exquisite childi"
exclaimed a pAsser.by TO her COM
panion, after a glance at little Jack.
Jacks mother fdgetted with compla-
cency, and looked admiringly at the
vision at her feet-a vision OF golden
,curls, rich, creamy complexion, and
the most tempting briar-rose cheeks
a small boy, clad from top TO toe in
spotless white. He was a pretty boy.
She knew there was no denying that
fact, and 50 she did not tarry to ask
herself the meaning of that inscruta-
bic look that was dawning in the great
brown eyes. look new and strange.
II would have seemed 20 her, for she
was all a-fiutter with maternal vanity.
Mrs. Perham sighed.
How fortunate you are Matte" she
said Jack is such a perfect gentle
man, and takes all the lovely dressing
you can think up for him, but my
James" She sighed again, and
Jacks mother laughed, for the mere
mention OF James, the unspeakable,
usually provoked smiles in Oldtop.
you needn't laugh, Matte. | as
sure you II is anything but funny to
be the mother of a freckled little
tough. that will not stay clean two
minutes after he is dressed"
Jacks mother laughed again.
"Oh. James is all right, only 1t is a
pity that he looked like the Perhams
instead Of like our family--that is all!
i do believe. though, Jennie dear, that
~ w
with him, you could mold him as
much to your liking as Jack is to
mine. Now, no matter If he does re-
bel at blouses and frills and other
things that he ought to wear as a mat
ter Of course. you ought TO make him
understand that your will is to be his
law about his dress for good many
years to come yet"
How can 1? i told him only last
week that IL he would wear a sweet
little brown linen sailor suit to the
! Fourth OF July celebration | would
give him a dollar-now what do you
suppose Jim said to that? Why, he
simply looked up from his paper and
said, Take her up on it. son, and get
your dollar. and then father will give
you another to go out ard roll in a
mud-puddle with that suit on"
Jennie Perham! You don't mean
TO say that Jim Perham set your au-
thority at naught in that way?"
"Oh, he didn't mean to set 1t at
naught-but he is always saying that
ne cannot bear to see country people
trying to put on city airs" Mrs.
Perham stopped suddenly and bit her
lip at recollection of the connection
In which he had said this, but Jacks
mother did not seem to feel hit. so
she continued: HE is given to abet- |
ting James in all of his shines, any
way, and | simply haven't the back
bone to undertake the quelling of the
two OF them"
There's where you and | differ!"
said her sister. Now listen TO me. |
Go right on and make that linen suit |
for the Fourth. and when the time |
comes let him choose between wear |
ing IL and staying at home all day. |
and you will see that he viii come to |
terms; then, when ne has worn IL /
there will be no more trouble. Don't |
say word TO Jim about II, and above |
all, do not try TO hire James-just |
be firm and positive and you will see |
that you will carry your point readily. |
He really would be a strikingly hand |
some boy II he were well dressed. and |
whether you will believe me or not, |
his freckles and his snaggled teeth |
look great deal worse to you than
8 they do to anyone else
They Jeff the room and Jackie, aged /
seven, looked out of the window
across the street at his cousin James |
turning a handspring in the dust OF
a vacant lot, and then down at his |
own immaeulateuess. with envy and /
rebellion in his soul
The Fourth came. II was in the |
south, where the sound of fireworks |
did not smite the morning air. Early |
in the morning the people began to |
gather from all the country round, /
for Oldtop was TO do itself proud this |
day. and was keeping open house.
Jacks mother flushed and charm |
ing in white and lavendar-the first
appearing in anything else than wild
ow's weeds for a long time-came
down the street, leading her lovely
child by the hand. He was all in
white. except for a tiny bow of blue
ribbon, WHICH peeped out from under
the broad-rhling brim OF handsome
white sailor-the bow of which tied
back the long front locks. which were
saving for subsequent use. His
little shoes were white too. so he had
to walk circumspectly. TO avoid mud
and dusty spots
They paused a moment at the gate
for Mrs. PeTham, who came down the
walk, drawing on her long white silk
mitts.
why. Jennie, where is James,"
asked Jacks mother.
James is in bed" replied Mrs. Per
ham, firmly. Il have locked up all
hts athpr clOthaS and laid Ouf the lin.