The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1909-04-16
The
Gifts Of the
Twins.
BY walter Leon Sawyer
Observation-Disclosures

6ISz51S55S52SG5S5S5
"Plenby of playmates for them
here at The OuolooK,' said Mr.. Ten
ney, cheerfully. No fear of their
running away from a crowded hotel,
lis there, Clara?"
Mrs. Tenney smiled and sighed.
She did not like to dash her hus-
bands hopes, but she had had more
experience OF the ingenuity of the
twins.
perhaps they might take notion
to run away with it" she rejoined.
Meanwhile, having just landed on
the big piazza and cast a critical
glance about him. Master Phil Ten
ney had already perceived a chance
for amusement, and was preparing to
chamber down the steps, to regain the
Dawn.
81 fink I'd like to play wiz vat ut
tie boy over vere," he announced, as he
descended And Miss Cora Tenney,
his twin, Endorsed the sentiment
while she initiated the action. Il
fink would, too," she said.
The parents raised no objection. SO
far from that, Mr.. Tenney looked after
them fondly and proudly
"You watch" he said. They'll
make friends in just about a minute.
It'll be the same with the rest OF the
children here, and in less than two
days all the grown folks in the hotel
will be feeding candy and fruit to
those youngsters of ours, and taking
'em to drive, and petting them IN
every way. Never were such child
rem to get around people, believed
Once more Mrs. Tenney sighed.
This time it may have been a sigh OF
relief. It was comfort to know
THAT, whatever the twins might do.
at any rate they were miles away
from the Swamp"
The social instinct was very strongly
developed in Phil and Cora. and since
In their own city neighborhood there
were few children Of their own age,
they sought conbpanionship In amy and
every quarter. even the most unsa,
worry. Two days before. they had slip
ped away from home in the morning.
and only returned to their distracted
mother at nightfall- staggering under
q burden of WEAKNESS and dirt. but
bearing spoil from the expedition in
Uhe form of a dead pigeon, for which
they had exchanged a silk scarf and
a handkerchief.
Thereupon Mrs. Tenney, cutting
short her preparations. hastened to
the resort at which she had planned
10 spend part of the summer.
Probably. she thought, it would do no
harm TO get ahead of time, for Phil
had a slight cough and the doctor
said it would improve in mountain air.
She told herself. too, that in a
0amiIy hotel where there were many
children. the twins could satisfy their
craving for society without taking
such risks as they ran when they
made surreptitious visits to the
Swamp and other city iungles.
And in the first few days the mother
realized her hopes and saw her hus-
bands prophecy confirmed. Phil's
cough seemed easier. He and his sis
Ter made friends with everybody .
Everybody helped take care OF them,
too. and even contested for the priv
ilege.
When the young people promoted
a picnic, borrowing the twins" was
the first thing to be arranged, and the
twins were literally rewarded for
leanding the charm of their presence.
After three or four days Cora develop
ed symptoms of cold. and her
sneezes and snuifles and watery eyes
iessened, somewhat, her attractive
ness as a plaything. But Phil -four
ished and grew in favor. and mothers
and grandmothers seemed as fond of
him as were the children and unmar-
ried youth.
1.-THE lad has great gifts. great
gifts declared Grandma Abbott, who
In spite of ponderous manner, was
a sincere and warm4hearted old lady.
'Tf he were mine, would dedicate
him to the Church and expect him to
become bishop
'Wouid you not like to be bishop,
Philfpg" she added.
= Phil looked at her and gravely
Weighed the question
Il INK. II you please. I'd ravver he
q coal-man and drive a cart he re-
piled. at length.
''tsa? Oh yes. l understand" AL