The St. Mary banner. (Franklin, Parish of St. Mary, La.) 1889-1931, 1909-09-18

loohiHS up squeezing in a big enry
clopedia
Say, Helen, need some more
years SO | can vote. Can't havs
one Of yours "
Helen glanced up, keeping her fin
ger in the middle Of the page to mark
her place.
You funny child, How can I pcz
sibly give you year?" she said
laughing. Then. as her little brother
looked very much disappointed, she
continued, seriously. You sac
Johnny-boy. if | should give YOU enc
of mine, | couid't graduate from the
High Schcol with my class, and that
would put me a year behind them a.
college, too; SO I really don't see how
| can spare YOU one without unset
ting all my plans. Now please run
away, because I am very busy. Go
and ask GranmaInna for year. She
| has more than anyone in the house.
and she might be willing to give you
one"
Grandmamma, who was really
! Great-grandmamma, only the name
was too long fer everyday use, was
sitting in a sunny corner of the We
randa reading very old book with
a brown cover and yellow pages. some
Of which were quite freckled.
! Gould you give me year, please.
Nanna?" asked John.
Give you a year? What do you
| mean, dearie?'
Il need more years, so I can vote,
and Helen says you have lots of them,
so l thought maybe you might give
"Bless tho child. I certainly have
plenty. but / don't think l can give
any of them away"
Il would give you an election card
for ole; ] would give you two
three--four election cards. Please.
Mammal"
Z Gcnl believe any OF my Yeas
would help you to vote, dearie. They
are not the right kind of years. |
have eighty-fre Of them, and I haze
never been able to use any of them
20 vote with
1t was another disappointment: but !
the young voter was not discouraged. |
Perhaps someone else would have the |
proper kind of years. Bridget, the
nurse, was tucking the baby in his
perambulator and the baby was try
ing to see how far away he could
throw his rubber dog. The animal
landed at Johns feet as he came
down the steps. He picked it up and
held it teasingly just out Of reach.
Give it to him, now, John"
pleaded Bridget, as the baby stretch
Cd out his hands with a loud cry.
IN give it to him if he'll give me
a year." said John. pinching the dog
so that it squeaked at the baby.
land it's you that are the crue!
boy, then" said Bridget, Ito take
away the only thing the darlin hasn't
got 1t wouldn't be any little broth
er at all you'd be havin' if you took
/ year away from him. Now give him
MS dog, John, dear!'
John sighed as he laid the rubber
log across the baby's kicking feet.
Nobody seems to have any years
hey don't need
There comes your father. Now
maybe he'll he having some for you"
Bridget, comfortingly. as
The wheeled the perambulator down
he garden walk.
Johns father stopped moment at
he gate to play with the baby. and
hen came to the steps, where ne
lalted at sight of his elder sons rue
ul face.
whats wrong, Johnny-boy?" he
lsked. ~'-r~'-~s-"~Ha
II want some years." said John.
Some years." said his father,
coking puzzled. John explained, and
lis father nodded his head under
tandingly, as he sat down on the
road railing and drew the little boy
n his knee. -
~ sorry can't help. you out,
ohn." ne said, but need all the
ears l have for what we call refer s
nce,' to help me to be a good law a
er to earn enough money for us all. a
have to use my years every day. e
nd If l were to give any away l
hould miss them very much" II
But who gives them to your" h
sked John. 'Is it the judge" S
His father smiled. mo; it isn't the ],
ldge. It is Father Time, for he is e
eally the only person who has many p
ears to give away"
where is his Officer" Johns faith b
. had an Office, so John supposed is
lat anyone else called father must