The new era. (Walden, Colo.) 1906-19??, 1908-11-05

the gate and leaning upon II. "nat
are YOU doing out Of school at this
hour, It's only II o'clock! What has
happened"
II was a noticeable characteristic OF
the West family that all the eider
members Immediately on seeing Wine
Invariably inquired what had happened
Doubtless the fact that something al
ways did happen when Willie was near
had led to the formation OF this haol1.
Now Willie only grinned again and de-
scribed an arc on the cement Walk
With the stubby toe of his shoe. Then
he looked IN at Aunt Ann and his eyes
sparkled.
"Teacher sent me home" he said.
Aunt AIMS mouth set in the mar
tyred lines with which people NEE.
bad news bravely. She folded her iat
arms, gazing as sternly as possible al
the urchin. who was grinning up at her
from under his shock of yellow hair.
.Nhv Willie = Vest" she
breathed, tragically lam = sur
orised! Think how dreadful your
mother will feel! And you promised
to be good after you were sent home
the other time!"
| Willie dropped his eyes and scuffed
the sidewalk. He showed signs OF
sdging away.
II know / did" he confessed.
When he got few steps away from
the gate he broke into a run toward
home.
| Hes such bother" said Aunt
Ann to herself, shaking her head az
abe watched him Il don't see what
they ever are going to do with that
boy"
Willie entered his home circum-
specify and hung up his cap properly
before going into the living room
His mother dropped her work startled
At the sight of him. Then, evidently
inspecting the worst. she leaned back
in her chair quickly.
"Why, Willie!" she cried. What
have you done now? Or are you sick?
know you've been doing something
what is it,"
Willie twisted around on one heel.
His mother grasped him by the arm
to stop the completion Of hole In .
Turkish rug.
Don't do that she said. sharply
How many times have told you?
What has happened?"
| Her son did not look at her. Teach
or sent me home" he said, in low
voice
There was silence.
81 don't see." began his mother at
last, in level tones, what I shall do
with you, Willie! There isn't biz
Of use in talking to you! 1t just
runs on like water from duck! 1t
isn't as If you were little boy, either.
You know what your father promised
he'd do to you If you were sent home
from school again."
."Yes'm," said Willie, mournfully. II
know"
And he always keeps his word, T"
went on his mother, sternly.
"Yes'm," agreed Willie-and sighed.
ut Just makes me feel awful said
his mother, ito think l have a son
I can't trust A son who has to be
sent home from school. Other moth
ers can be proud of their boys. Don't
you care how you make me feel?"
"Yes'm,' said Willie, bending the
leaves OF magazine.
Don't do that" said his mother.
your father hasn't even read 1t. I
can't tell you how surprised am at
you!"'
Willie wriggled and began fussing
with the ink bottle.
Don't do that said his mother.
|
hands at once-just look at them,
! don't know how to punish YOU
"Yor said papa" began Willie.
"Oh, hell attend to you." promised
his mother. But that's long while
off-till night. l don't think I'll let
you have any luncheon-and there's to
be rice pudding with raisins In it,
Willie looked up rapturously. Then
drew down his mouth piteously
please. ma" he begged
NO, indeed she said, firmly, re-
1oiced to have brought his sin home
to him. mo pudding for boy like
you'll"
Jaw, say, ma he cried, cant you
take a joke? l was just foolin' you.
Everybody was sent home. same as
me- We had examination in our
grade this morning an as soon as we
finished Miss Graham let us go home.
an l got through early. Honest"
And you didn't do anything
naughty" inquired his mother, in be-
wilderment.
mo, honest" said Willie. Not
this time. l can have some pudding,
can't II"
why, Willie West!" gasped his
mother. helplessly. Il suppose 30.
| The idea Of getting me all stirred up