Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-12-07
ON THE SHELF.

They were three little boys, very little
ones at that. Ted was two, Jack was
four. and the oldest and biggest was
Harry, and he was almost six.
Their mother and father lived in a
small house. but it was sweet and cozy.
and the little boys played happily each
day in the tiny backyard. just as other
little boys would have done in a much
larger space. They had been born In
small quarters, and too much room
might have made them unhappy.
One day their mother received letter
from an old school friend, and it brought
a look of perplexity into her face.
I'm sure 1 don't know how to man
age.'' she said to her husband. II
should be delighted to have Annie pay
US a visit, but where to put her is a mys-
the least. but" with a laugh at her
three wide-eyed little boys, unless 1
throw Ted and Jack and Harry out of
the window, 1 have no place for her to
sleep"
Mamma often joked like this; Harry
understood at once that it was a joke,
and laughed, too; but Ted and Jack
were very much alarmed. To be thrown
out of the window just to make room for
other people was not pleasant to think
Of
THAT would not be good plan." said
papa gravely. I'VE must think of some
other way. What space can you spare in
this tremendous house?" and he glanced
around the toy dining room with criti-
cal eye and shake of his head.
''Of course, she must have the children
roem,'' said mamma, land we might take
Ted in with US, but Jack and Harry
here she waved her hands. there's SIM
ply no place to put them
.ierhk k1,o
parlor floor like rugs" suggested papa.
No" said mamma quite soberly, I'VE
might step on them by mistake. The
roof would be better. but I'm afraid If
It rained it might ruin their clothes; be-
Sizes, 1 don't want Annie to think that
we are putting ourselves to any incon-
Venience."
We wouldn't know if they were on
the roof" persisted papa, in such a tone
that Harry and Jack were really alarmed.
'Oh. no." said Harry, there's bats at
night.
And baIls?" asked papa.
Not that kind of bats, but things with
WINGS" explained, Harry. land me and
Jack don't like bats. We needn't sleep
up there, need we, mammal" he asked
anxiously.
said mamma seriously.
So Harry subsidized and put on his
thinking cap, This is a small close
fitting cap, and when you put it on you
must put your fingers in your ears and
shut your eyes tight, so they can look
into your thinks" Jack wasn't big
enough to wear thinking cap, but Har-
rvs fitted nicely. Ted. didn't care, he
was safe enough.
spring, and his nngers came out of his
ears.
There's the closet! he said, but at
this Jacks lower lip began to droop.
The big closet in their room had been
the scene of a recent punishment. Jack
had stood there behind the locked door
for a good half hour before he would
say I'm sorry" when he tore Tedrs new
picture book.
Its not for furnishing it's for Sleep
ing, said Harry reassuringly. Its
fine place.
But how began papa, while NAM
ma clapped her hands.
Good good" she cried. 1.-The closets
the place. and Harry shall have nice
large slice of bread and jam for doing
such beautiful thinking
Me too, me tooy' cried Jack and Ted,
SO mammals rash reward ended in three
slices and as many 'jammy' little boys.
Then mamma went to work; the closet
had two wide Shelves. which were emp
tied, and she made them up like berths
in a sleeping car, one above the other.
Each could hold small boy comfortably,
provided he did not want to sit straight
up in the middle of the night. Then
papa drove heavy nails in the wall. on
which he hung stout rope. guards, to keep
the little sleepers from falling off their
perches. and mamma took extra precau-
tons by piling cushions on the floor be-
meath them. SO in case of a tumble there
would be no serious damage Mamma
completed her work by hanging dainty
white curtains as drape ries to this new
style bed and by the time the COM
pany arrived Harry and Jack were eager
to try the experiment.
It was a complete success. the boys
slept soundly and with no mishaps for
many nights to the great amusement Of
their guest.
You see.'' explained mamma to her
friend, In her gravest tone, for she knew
sharp ears were listening, cit was quite
impossible to get another bed into this
bandbox of house, and we wanted you
at all costs. SO we thought this a better
plan thai throwing Jack and Harry out
of the window, don't you?"
by all means" said her friend, laugh
ing, and Harry laughed too, but Jack
never could see any joke about the win
dow.