The labor world. [volume] (Duluth, Minn.) 1896-current, 1907-01-26

IueelluS ulSuL dIlu ny > 1uOIlei WdS
going to prayer meeting. Lodge night
means union lodge to the railroad man
There was a ladies' auxiliary in the
city. It met across the hall from where
the union rooms were. This arrange
ment, that the wives might attend, es-
corted in safety to and from meeting,
and mayhap BY or some other lad
might attend.
One man, Tim Troutman, had actual
ly suggested the bringing of the chill
dren occasionally to lodge; but Of
course Tim was a crank. No one paid
any attention to him, so the children
were left at home. often alone, some-
times in company unwisely selected.
would have been at least one child
there to hear the discussions and catch
the drift of a union lodge. its pur-
poses and proceedings. But Tins
wife and boy had been taken away
and Tim went alone.
By's mother was very considerate;
she never left him alone so the ques-
ton In his mind was how to spend the
evening. He didn't want to go to
prayer meeting, "cause he didn't, that $
why" He didn't want Billy to come
over cause Billy hurt the dog and
once smoked cigarettes made out Of
corn silk, and almost set the house on
fire when they had been left alone one
evening.
Mrs. Bolton was brushing her coat
when her husband came out of the dim
ing room and sat down on the edge
of the sofa. He was not getting ready
for lodge yet. Prayer meeting began
a half hour earlier than lodge.
I'm nearly ready Jim. What time
is it by your watch? I've everything
ready but the PAN cakes and locking
Jocko up. I guess I'll leave both for
you to do for haven't time. By likes
to have Jocko up as long as he's awake.
His hands need washing and his hair
needs attention. I'll have to hurry"
she said, drawing on her coat and
gloves and tying her bonnet mean
while.
Say, where's my nightie, mama"
called By. II tared the neck all out
Of the white one, and can't wear it
no more till it's fixed.'
'cBy's nightie's on the clothes rack,
and his stockings are in the basket.
Are you going to lodge or is Billy
coming over?"
Il don't know, Maine. I ought to
go to lodge, for we've important bust
ness on hand tonight. The. ladies'
auxiliary meets too, and they all want
ed me to be sure to bring you-but,"
here his voice almost quavered and he
crossed and recrossed his knees and
pushed his collar down from his neck
with his chin, "of course it's your
prayer meeting night then a short
pause.
"Of course. And I certainly shall
not neglect my church for any such
business as that. They don't know
a thing about parliamentary laws or
anything. What can women do any,
way-they belong in church, men don't
60"
women do lot, Maine, when they
want to, anywhere they try or CO." was
her husbands quiet reply.
why, Jim Bolton, sometimes think
you really would like me to neglect my
church for that lodge business. What
could I accomplish going down there?"
ANO, 4Ae|AA4AOs VC 41CFC1 01AICO yOu
to neglect church for anything
you didn't go even when it was on
Friday evening""
Suddenly By's voice called out-"My
nightie amt on the rack, neither. You
come and see."
"It's there, By, papa will find it.
Come kiss me. I'm ready now. Hurry,
By"
The boy ran eagerly to his mother,
his outstretched arms closed tightly
about her neck. His kiss sounded
much like the splitting Of a clothes
pin. Billy taught him that accom-
plishment, for Billy loved noise. The
door closed behind her and BY and
his father were left alone.
MY nightie's gone, faint on the
rack, papa-you come and see," and
the lad laughed gaily, clinging to his
fathers pedal extremities as a vine
might to tree and influencing to some
extent his progress across the floor.
mo, you rogue, but it was until you
hid 1t. Come, now, let's find it and
hang it on a chair near the fire, so 1t
will be nice and warm for you. I'll
go to bed with you, By"
By released his father and with a
bound had him about the neck.
I'm glad you are going to stay with
me, cause I don't like Billy any more"
and then he whispered something in
his fathers ear that made him frown.
Men, after all, are not bad mothers.
Brush and comb In hand he walked
into the bedroom. still bearing his
precious burden in his arms.
Just then the sound Of knocking at
the side door came to their ears.
Jocko growled. Jim put the boy up
to his shoulder, and leaving the brush
and comb on the nearest chair. walked
to the door, opened it, and greeted
Tim Troutman.
Come in, Tinn," he said, cordially
II can't go to lodge for my wife is at
prayer meeting and can't leave him
alone, you see."
Hum" said Tim, gruffly, at the
same time accepting the invitation
Hum, why don't you take him along
anyway"
Tim seated himself. Jim sat dowr
| also and drew BY down Onto his knee
STAND up, my lad, and let Tim SCI
| what a fine little man you are" sale
Mr.. Bolton, ignoring his visitors ques.