Chicago eagle. [volume] (Chicago, Ill.) 1889-19??, 1908-07-11
F'fyts np|
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more trouble!" sighed the nice old
gentleman, 40 the little boy came to
him, knuckling his eyes. Dear mel
Johnny. you certainly seem to have
more than your share. I knew II was
coming. I could have told you when I
saw the state Of your clothes that
something was going to break LOOSE
What did you want to wade around u
the mud puddle forf''
"Just for fun" whimpered the little
boy.
rs II fun to get licked?' asked the
nice old gentleman. Haven't you been
told often enough not to wade In mud
puddles and spoil your clothes?"
II didn't think they'd see me-" ex.
planned the little boy.
Hmm !"said the nice old gentleman,
tboughtfully. "well, that excuses you
to certain extent. 1t acruits you in
a degree Of the charge Of fOollshness.
At the same time you might know that
your shoes would give you away. Did
you tell the truth when your mother
asked you II you had been wading or
did you say that somebody had pushed
you mr.
The little boy hung his head.
"You know that you should always
tell the truth" said the nice old gentle
man. III you think you'll get the hide
taken OF you for telling It that's all
the more reason why you should. You'll
have fhe consolation Of knowing that
you've acted nobly. II irrationally, and
besides you might be let OF on &C.
count Of your frankness. don't say
that you should make that considera.
ton your prime motive. but It's a. well
to figure everything. But you had your
fun, did your"
II don't know" replied the little boy.
II suppose as you look back on II you
DON'T" commented the nice old gentle.
man. "Still, you say you did It just for
fun. haven't the least doubt that you
imagined stopping around In that slush
would be q particularly hilarious way
Of passing the time. You didn't think
Of the consequences at oil. It was
your idea Of good time. ehy"
eyes, sir" admitted the little boy.
II know, I know said the nice old
gentleman. 1T seems hard for un.
sympathetic elders to believe. but I
know. I suppose I've waded around In
a great many mud puddles myself In
my time and thought It was enjoyment.
I didn't think about consequences, eth.
or. or how soiled myself"
did you get lickedr asked the 10
tle boy with interest.
"You'd better believe I did, replied
the nice old gentleman. "Nemesis never
fails; her feet are gum.soled and her
spanking hand Is heavy. got It good
and plenty. splurged and splashed
around at q great rate, never suppos.
Ing that she was within hundred
miles Of me. but she had her eye on
me oil the time, and when she finally
got me face downward aud heels up
where she wanted me the lesson was
impressive"
did you ever do It aga;n?"
II am afraid did," said the nice
old gentleman. perhaps I didn't get
In quite 20 deep the next time and
might have been pushed III by other
naughty little boys once or twice. but
In time learned to keep out Of the
mud. That's what you must do. I'm
q good deal like you now, Johnny.
don't know whether had such a very
good time, looking back on It. Mud
isn't really nice. It's forbidden. though.
and there's an attraction about that"
who was NemesisI" asked the little
boy. "Was she your mother2"
mo-" replied the nice old gentle.
man. "She was a friend In disguise.
She's an awfully good friend to lots
Of people and she's like lots OF other
good friends that people hnve--we like
her better when she's visiting some.
body else"
"Was she Mrs. Bellins" asked the
little boy.
II think you'd better run away and
ponder what I've said to you now.
Johnny" said the nice old gentleman.
"Im q little tired Of answering Ques.
tions."-Chicago Daily News.