The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1909-04-16

though disconnected, Grandma Abbott
stood by ner guns. He has great
gifts she repeated.
She said that frequently; indeed,
so frequently that half in earnest, the
other guests took it UP, applying it to
Phil whether he CHANGED to be sing
ing annie Laurie" or playing
/ 'scatch, or exhibiting his accomplish
ments as speller, when he spelled
every word with the same letters
"c-a-t." The guests admitted that
Cora also had great gifts although
it was true that when, following her
brothers lead, she would assert that
Il can stand on MY head, too" she al
J ways collapsed in confusion and
tears.
MIR. Tenney, coming UP for Sunday,
and hearing of the general admission
of his children's genius, took it as a
matter of course. well, we knew
it long ago." he said. But what
makes 'em seem so dumpish tonight?"
Cora complained of being cold, so
put her to bed early" Mrs. Tenney
answered, Il think there's nothing the
matter with Phil, except that he's
tired. His cough"
The mother stopped, started, and
clasped her hands. From the next
room there sounded the familiar cough
this time, however, with the addi-
ton of an unmistakable whoop.
Mr.. Tenney rose and walked for
ward. Phil was awake, and smiling.
Hello, old mani" the father said.
What makes you cough that way?"
Watts how Johnny Ward coughs, "
Phil explained, not without satisfac-
ton Apparently Johnny Ward was
something of leader and hero. HE
had We pigeon, you know" Phil added.
.One of those horrid children they
met when they ran away to the
Swamp Mrs. Tenney whispered. But
her husband, having had the expert
ence that ibefalls boy who is one of
a large family accustomed to catch
things" was already on his way to
the. other crib. He peered at Cora's
forehead, lifted her sleeve, and
glanced at chubby arm.
Measles, / reckon" he mnttered.
The voice was low, but Cora over
heard.
q fink Nellie McEntee had measle.
too," she murmured, sleepily.
1.-THE Swamp again!" 1t was Mrs.
Tenney's tragic comment. "But now,
what are we to do?" she asked.
You'll have to go down and talk to
the manager, john" And bravely, if
not joyously, Mr.. Tenney went.
Yet the mansger was very nice
about it. Such things will happen"
he said, with rueful smile, "and
since you're here, you may as well
stay. Probably the mischief has al
ready been DONE"
So the gifted twins went into quar-
antine, whither, in the course of the
next few weeks, they were followed by
many guests. AS the manager fore
oasted, the mischief had been done,
| IS was quite too late to fee from con-
tagion. and quite a number who had
escaped the common disease of child
hood now took their choice of two.
i Wit most of the patients and their
nurses the spirit of philosophy pre-
vailed. Two or three made slurring
remarks about "bhat wonran's selfish
carelessness in bringing those child
rem there" but people in general real
lied that Mrs. Tenney was an limo.
cent offender, and governed them-
selves accordingly. On their account
she had small cause for uneasiness-
although she did shed tears when she
heard that Grandma Abbott had be-
gun to whoop.
'Everybody-a almost everybody
been just sweet" the mother summed
up thoughtfully, as the family stood
| awaiting the carriage on the morning
fixed for departure: "And yet" she
added with sudden energy, I've often
felt like running away-iust as Phil
and Cora do-and never want to
see this place again!"
l Whh<tt 5 ull0 tu0d Oh CHdL. luQulfCu
Mr.. Tenney, with the proverbial dem
sity of mere man.
why, people will never forget his
! wife explained. III should come
back here years from now, there'd
be somebody to say, That's the wo-
man who brought bhe sick children and
infected the house. I know I'd re-
member it If anybody else had done
it."
Mr.. Tenney, perceiving the useless
ness OF consolation, attempted none.
Grandma Abbott had just appeared at
| a distant window, and he lifted his
hat. Then suddenly, as Phil and Cora
waved their hands to her, he turned
aside and chuckled.
Grandma said THAT these were child