The Huttig news., 1909-03-06
BACHELOR AN D B Al BY What Happened When He Was
 Left in Charge.

 thing to do with the latter.
 Like the traditional sp,nster, bach elor is authority on the rearing of chil- dren, and l have often expressed my views o1 the subject at some length to a sister of mine who is married and has small daughter aged five. It so happened that have seen little of the child, as my hours for calling on my sister are late, and when arrive Grace; the little girl. is usually in bed.
 But the other day my theories on the training of children received a severe shock. My sister said to me: John, Robert and 1 have an invitation to visit a friend of mine for the week end. She lives out of town and if we go we don't want to take Grace with us. Now, I've often heard you say that you'd know how to bring up a child, and here's an opportunity. Sup pose you come over Saturday after. noon and take charge of Grace until Sunday evening, when we come homer"
 This invitation I accepted, although 1t meant giving up an evening at the club and dinner engagement on Sun day. l went over to my sisters Sat nrday noon, just before she left. ready for business. She said: You won't have anything to do, John, except to keep an eye on her, and if you feel like 1t to amuse her, take her for a walk tomorrow or something of that sort, Maggie, the nurse, will look after her meals, put her to bed and all that; so l don't think you'll have any trou ble.'
 Then she turned to Grace, who had been standing by her side, gazing at me with wide-eyed stare common to children and which to my disgust made me feel somewhat uncomfort- able
 Grace, said my sister, mother is going away for Sunday, and Uncle John is coming here to stay with you Now, be good girl and do what he tells you"
 As she left the room turned quick. ly to the child
 Don't you want to play, Gracie?" I asked
 "Yes!" she responded with enthusi- asm; want to play horsie,
 To anyone needing strenuous exer- else can recommend sshorsie' as play ed by my niece or rather as played by her uncle at her direction
 Procuring piece of string some xxyh 0f hn fN~ .t. proachel me and requested me to take it in my teeth.
 You dets on de foor," explained Grace, so down on my hands and knees l went. The equestrienne sat on my back. kicked me in the sides and pulled violently on the string. I crept painfully about the room, continually urged ou to greater speed, until I final ly stepped in the hall for rest.
 My sister was careful housekeeper. but my hands and the knees of my trousers showed the traces of their contact with the carpet As I was ex. amining them Miss Grace said: Want to play horsie on de piazza, uncle Jobn?"
 70, no, dear" l expostulated. It's cold outside and" I stopped Tears were gathering in her eyes and her lower lip was beginning to tremble.
 Very well, we'll go,'' I assured her. but you must put on your hat and coat.
 l assisted her on with her wraps and we went ot on the .pazazza." It was a clear, cold autumn day, and the sun was shining. A beautiful day for a walk. But was playing horsie Up and down on the cold piazza ! crept, my hands and knees getting sorer every minute. I hadn't thought to put on a pair of gloves, and after two or three laps decided they'd be useless.
 You is a fat, slow horsie," remark. ed my rider as 1 started on what I de terminei should be the last lap of the circuit. Just as 1 reached the steps in front of the door Grace suddenly dismounted with cry of joy and ran down the steps. I raised my head and there on the sidewalk stood the Only Girl, trying to repress a smile, while my rival stood by her side grsnning malevolently.
 I was sight My hands were black my trousers ruined. my hair was rum. pied, the string which I dropped was tangled up in my collar and I was dripping with precipitation, cold as 1t was
 You look wa.m, MT. Blake" grin. ned my divinity with smile.
 Having a hot time, John?" grinned my rival.
 My sister left me in charge of Grace, explained, and am engaged in amusing Der. This game is known as horsie It's littie bit strenuous. T
 They smiled and passed on while l told my niece that it was time to go in and that we'd play "horsie' again some other day. When it came time for her to go to bed the nurse un dressed her. then picked her up and was about to deposit her in the bed when she reminded me she had to say her prayers.
 When she began l felt sinful When she finished I felt more so. After say inc Now | lay me-" as fast as she