The new South-news., 1908-03-28

only child Of his doting parents. he
was "A bad boy. but his father thought
he was pfccOrious Biography was
the fathers weakness The lives Of
poets and nlaienmcn. soldiers and sail
ors. were all exploited With view TO
discovering what particular traits had
characterized the childhood of these
heroes. aud always. whoever the hero
Nigh, be. he saw only Johnnic moy-
ing through the pages fulnllng high
dcftinics and important commissions.
Whether Johnnie would yet become a
poet or a soldier u was stlll rather
early 10 decide. but the father was
sure from symptoms already dincoy-
cred that he was destined for some
thing great.
Johnnie had an aunt who came to
zee them on occasions. She was mar
ricd. but had no family. aud was
therefore ia q position 10 offer an un-
biased opinion on Johnnic's ro-callci
precocity She had another name for
st. The father did not relish her
views on the matter, and naturally
her visits. though they continued TO
BE- periodic. were never very pro-
longcd
This preCocity. the father remarked,
was most conspicuous In the strength
of will displayed at times 10y Johnnie
especially when his mother wanted
him 10 do anything From the empha-
Tic manner I'm which he could say
mo" his father was more than ever
convinced that he had the makings OF
n great man In him. His study OF biog-
raphy had taught him that the great
secret of success " will power and the
ability 10 say Mo-
This strength of viii might have
been weakened considerably under the
influence of cane. But mcy a means
OF education Is now looked upon as
aniiauated and harharous. and John
nlc'n will power was. thcr fore. won
dcrfuliy maturcd for a Wy OF his
years. y
just ahous thfs time an event oc-
CURED which. rs it threatened John
nic's position, It nowise m,t with his
approval 4 rival In the person of a
little sister appeared on thcWcene, aud
II soon became apparent 10 Johnnie
that the attention which. for SO many
years. had been exclusively his, was
suddenly modified by the large slice
which was abruptly transferred 10 this
newcomer Thus Il came to pass that
even at this early axe his mind began
20 rcvolvc wi,kcdly upon the unrea-
80 ha "a
he been able TO Put his thoughts Into
language he would have found him-
self protesting severely against such
az iniquitous usurpation Of his for
mcr rights and privileges. As II was,
these thoughts could only nnd vent In
little displays OF temper and veSatious
ou,hursts of rage. what right had
from7" were the questions tha, per-
pctually rerplcxed his little brain.
His mother. who was ot an imagin-
atvc turn OF mind. explained to him
in gorgeous detail how troop OF
angels passing by had left the little
girl In her care. while the father
who was less gifted In the way OF i'm.
arinaiion on being questioned on the
same subject. unfortunately gave quite
another version Of the matter. From
his narrative it appeared that the
doctor, with whom Johnnie was well
acquainted. had been good enough &c
let them have a little baby Girl from
his shop where he kept numerous ha'
hos for the convenience of his pa
ticnts.
These two conflicting reports con.
fused Johnnie moro than ever. and
one night. as he sat before the urser,
nrc. his little mind was very busy
trying to solve the mystery. In th'
red centre Of the FIRE his sleepy littl'
eyes seemed at times To discover th'
white whin OF an angels wing an,
countless little red babies. with n'
hair. lust like his sister. Anon. whci
the blaze shot up he could see, II
the black edges OF the coal, bus,
doctors hustling about with theil
coat tails Tapping behind them an,
innumerahle babies heads peepnl
out of the pockets at the back rhel
slowly the heat overcame him: hi
eyes closed In spite of himself. an'
before he had come to any definite
conclusion he was sound asleep on th'
hearth. HIS father removed him ten
dcrly. and after allowing mamma e
Mss his rosy mouth and fondly strok
his yellow curls. slowed him away II
bed
Long after Johnnie Was snugly en-
sconocd in Blanket bay. and while h
Was yet dreaming OF babies and doc
tors and bottles. he was startled L
hear his own name called. Then sud
denly as from the bottom Of the be-
uprose the Quantes, figure OF an oil
woman with broom In her hand. He
dress. which was strangely ornament
ed was Of snah-brovn color an
frsm out the funniest old hexe-tas