Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-08-29
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s.T was Fair time in the County Of Dash.
And all the farmers. the farmers
wives and the farmers children were
making great preparations to attend
the annual festival. And the prize"
stock. grain, vegetables. fruit and do
nestle articles were being sorted over on
the various farms by hopeful folk who
all coveted the blue ribbon" for their
exhibits.
Teddy Jones. the son of a farmer liv-
ing at some distance from the county
seat (where the fair was held each falD
sat in his sick mothers room. in very
disconsolate mood. Owing to the illness
of his mother. his father had explained to
him that there would be no fair for them
that year." and Teddy was very much
disappointed at the news. Indeed. going
to the fall fair had been the great event
of his life for as many years as he could
remember-which, of course. were not
many, for Teddy was only ten years OF
age. -,
why do you look 80 sorrowful. SON."
asked his loving mother, seeing the gloom
81 wisht we could go to the fair" Ted
DIV explained. AN / don't see why l
can't 60. even If you and papa don't"
why. dear child. you couldn't go away
either papa or mamma! And, as you
know, 1 am too Ill to try to make such
a journey, and papa would not 80 away
under the circumstances. NO, well all
have to miss the fair TINS ran, ana nope
for better luck next year. And l was
anxious. too. to 60 to the fair. for l have
some Of the finest preserves and jelly
that were ever put up, and L m sure q
get the blue ribbon
But his mothers jelly and preserves
did not interest Teddy at all. for he was
too young yet to care much about the
displays and the prizes and their tell
tale ribbons. He was only thinking OF
the fun he might have with the dozens
be there and who would bring dead
loads Of fun with them"
Pretty soon Teddy's mother fell into
a restful sleep and Teddy crept softly
from the room. He went. out under a
big shade tree and stretched himself on
the grass there, still meditating SORROW
fully over his disappointment: IND, And as as
him: "why not 60 to the fair without
your parents consent? You are big
bow. and should be old enough to take
care Of yourself. Why not run away and
to town. And then. rising. he said to
himself: "I'll run away to town and stay
for the fair. I'll be gone three days. One
day I'll be going. one day there at the
fair and one day returning home.
He went softly into the house and
changed his everyday clothes for his
Sunday suit and hat ana shoes. Then
he took some pennies and two nickels
from his iron bank that stood on the
mantle in the sitting room. and went out
at the back door. disappearing INTO tne
big cornfield that stretched north Of the
house.
And no one had seen Teddy leave his
home, for the woman OF all work was in
the garden getting vegetables for dinner
and Tcddy's father was In a distant field;
Thus Teddy made good his escape, and
was not missed till almost noon. when
his mother awoke and called for him.
Then the woman of all w, work TX PECAN PECAN
looking for the missing boy: but no Ieday
could She find And when Teddy.s father
came in from the field he was told Of the
child's sudden disappearance and asked
II he had sent him on an errand any
where. But. Of course, the father was as
much in the dark regarding Teddy's