Ladysmith news-budget. [volume] (Ladysmith, Rusk County, Wis.) 1907-1927, 1909-04-15
GETTING PAPA'S CONSENT
We'll, I should say not!!'

Ill IlNO III n - NOl\DLiN1
A--------- -------------------------- a
well, should say mott"
ooh, papa. pleased"
Miriam's half-tearful tone of plead
ing caused her father to look up from
the paper he was reading.
when is the dance to be-"
Friday night, and"
who is managing this thing did
you say?''
"Why, all the frat boys. They have
a dance every"
"Um humh.' Barson ran his eye
deliberately down the latest stock re-
port as If it were the one item Of
interest in the world for him
Miriam stirred uneasily.
FIRED Rich asked me. You
know Fred, papa?''
What! that little snub-nosed kid
that runs a toy fire engine past here?"
why, papa! | think you're just too
mean! Fred isn't snub-nosed. and he
isn't kid He's seventeen. And his
father has the lovliest motor car in
this neighborhood!'
Il don't doubt it, | noticed the real
estate transfer showed pretty heavy
incumberance when he sold his house
and lot
But, papa, do so want to go! All
the other girls are going. Fred Is
coming this evening and | must give
him his answer when he arrives"
Barson folded his paper i'm Datiently.
He shall have his answer, never
fear Tell little Freddie that your pa
says no. Not on your life! Never!
Do you understand"
Barson turned to his desk with an
air of finality that seemed to settle
the question forever, SO far as he was
concerned
For q moment Miriam gaZed Mt her
fathers inexpensive back and then
followed the traditions of her fore
mothers and wept softly and becom-
in ely into the daintiest of lace hand
kerchiefs.
Barson wheeled around quickly.
See here" he demanded almost
savagely, what's all this waterworks
about, anyway" Miriam stified half
developed sob. do you 1sseah to say
you're crying because | won.. let you
go to this little old kid dOlngs Fri
day? Why, child" and Barson's voice
softened you know I'd do anything
in the world for you, but | can't let
my baby go out to parties yet. May
be in ten years from now if some 1ne
fellow"
That was too much. Miriam's
square of lace was fast losing its
identity as an ornament by being de-
based to a practical use.
'"EI-don't want'-Miriam'S breath
came in catchy sobs-"to bean old
maid-ee-hse-ee!"
Qtem-First aid to the injured: Ap-
ply a small lace handkerchief gently
and gracefully to one or both eyes
until relief is obtained.)
"Old maid! Suffering Susan, but
that's rich! Excuse me, baby, while l
give an imitation of a horse taught"
The swish of his daughters skirts
as she disappeared through the door
way was the only reply. A damp lit
tie wad of lace lay at Barson's feet.
He picked it up and smoothed it gent
ly across his knee. Thoushtfully he
turned to his desk Miriam's baby
picture, which stood there, smiled as
sweetly as ever on him. But some
how he couldn't get that other picture
O 1t of his mind. His little daughters
happiness was more to him than all
else in life. Still, he had acted for
the best There was time yet for
beaux The nerve of young Rich! Put
ting such ideas into his baby's head!
His wife came into the room.
Jane, what do you Think" he ask
ed Baby wants to go to dance with
Fred Rich. Did you ever hear of any
thing so ridiculous?'
Mrs. Barson took up her sewing and
seated herself before replying.
Il don't see anything ridiculous
about it, The poor child IS heart
broken, and I don't wonder!"
do you mean to say" Barson al
most gasped, you want her to go?"
She's nearly seventeen"
THAT doesn't answer my question.
DO you want her to go?"
81 don't say so, but 1t does seem
too bad
That's enough l may as well face
the fact that | have two babies in
this house instead Of one. That's
what drives n man to-
Il don't believe | care to hear any
more Of your complimentary speeches
tonight" interrupted his wife as she
swept from the room
The clock struck nine and still
carson sat gazing ut the baby picture.
Now and then he could hear Fred's
hearty, unconcernsd laugh OF youth
end Miriams subdued accompaniment.
After all, life had too few Joys
Impatiently he tore leaf from his
writing pad and hurriedly scrawled a
few words on it with his pencil This
he pinned to the front cover of maya
zine. At head of the stairs he called:
Miriam, put this magazine in the
library, please"
Eyes, SIR" came Miriam's constrained