The Olneyville times. (Olneyville [Providence, R.I.]) 1887-1917, 1908-02-07

This is a love-Story. Not one or
the common sort, mark you, about a
! young man and a maiden, but about
| a laddie and a matron. And though
| there may not be much story, there
is plenty Of love in it, and so l think
it may fttingly be called a love-
! story.
One striking conclusion early took
root in Jimsie's small brain-viz.,
| that he was a mistake and a disap-
pointment; he ought to have been n
girl. His mother had wanted him TO
be a girl. Had she not said so many
a time in his presence, and was not
his father always teasing him about
| petticoats and dolls till tears stood
| in the child's eyes, when the drops
! themselves were cited as evidence of
what he ought to have been, but was
not?
Jimsie was small and pale, with
| light locks and wistful blue eyes,
and but for the distinction OF dress
his sex mighe'"have been a matter
of doubt to the casual observer. He
was also timid and shrinking, and
| not by any means show child to
be brought forward for the entertain
! ment of visitors.
Personally Jimsie was quite con-
| tent with himself; on4y other peo-
pie, and especially his mother, ap-
peared to be so dissatisfied that he
dimly felt as If he must be respon-
! sible, and at some unremembered
time, and in some forgotten place
or manner, had been guilty of i'm
posture or indiscretion. Jimsie heard
of fairy changelings; and once, when
quite a little fellow, had ventured to
ask his mother why, when she found
| he was boy, she had not sent him
back and changed him; but she only
smiled, and shook her head in way
which Jimsie took to mean, Dear
me, ,idn't happen to think OF that"
| and no more was said on the subject.
Contrasts accentuate, and Jimsie's
defects were heightened by compari-
son. For there was a boy in the family
whom no one ever wished to change
for a girl-fine, handsome, and very
much-alive male being whom admir-
| ing parents and friends often de-
| clared to be every inch a boy"
The parents, being good Christian
| people, did not consciously neglect
their younger son, but the elder
seemed born to carry all before him;
he dominated the household, and won
all hearts by his gaiety and clever
ness. Ronald was always in the fore
ground, Jimsie in the background.
Jimsie was not jealous, for he car
ried a big, loving heart within his
small body. He was Ronney's loyal
little yassal, ready to fulfil the be-
hests OF his liege lord. happy to be
allowed to fetch and carry for him,
accepting with meekness all the rep
! rimands bis superior officer" might
see fit 10 bestow upon him. Yet he
did not consider himself ill-used or
put upon"
II in those early days he had a
shadow, unfulflled craving, II was
for a little more Of his mothers
| love, and IN the after times he could
remember adding 20 his nightly pc
titions the whispered plea, And
| please make muvver love me-" For
Jimsie's great delight in life was to
trot around with mis- mother, and be
| allowed % wait upon her, help her,
or perhaps 20 sit on a low stool be-
side her when she rested, and now
and then get possession OF her hand
/ TO fondle and caress.
During the years OF school life
| Ronald's quiCkness and cleverness
carried him rapidly forward. so that
his masters were wont to say, THAT
boy can do almost anything he likes,
II he likes" He won prizes with
little effort, while Jimsie was but a
patient plodder to whom rewards
were chiefly given for good conduct
and attention to duty.
| By the will OF a deceased relative
| each OF tho boys when he came OF
age would inherit a legacy Of few
| hundred pounds, and as soon as Ron
aid attained his majority and had Sc
cured the bequest he announced his
attention OF setting out 10 see the
world. The mother did not like
parting with her darling. but. as
usual. the favorite had his way, and
once on the wander path he seemed
In no hurry TO return.
They heard from him at long and
| vet longer intervals. Letters we're re