The Prince George's enquirer and southern Maryland advertiser. (Upper Marlborough, Md.) 1882-1925, 1909-11-05
THE MESSENGER BOY.

When Bobby is Bobby, and just
mothers fve-year-old boy, his shoes
often go thump-thump-thump on the
floor, but when he is pony he lifts
his feet so neatly and capers about so
softly that you would never think of
naming him anything but Lightfoot.
When Bobby is Bobby, he does not
always remember to be polite when
asking for things, but when he Is a
pet collie he gives one gentle bark for
"Please" and two for "Thank you."
and the doggy never forgets.
When Bobby is Bobby, and mother
needs his help, he sometimes says, in
a sulky way: ooh, no! I don't want
to-"
This happened yesterday, and
what do you think mother did, as
soon as she heard the cross little
voice?
She went to the corner of the room
and said: ''Ting-a-ling! Ting-a-ling!
Messenger service? Can you send me
messenger boy to help me to-day?
No, not so very large, but nice and
pleasant. Five years old? That's
pretty young, unless he's very bright.
Oh, he is! and willing, too! Why. I
believe he's just what I want. Will
you send him right away, please?"
Then she waited, and in minute
there came a tap at the door; for,
while she had been talking, Bobby
had stopped scowling and slipped out
into the hall.
"Come I'M" called mother, and
there in the open door stood smiling
boy, cap in hand.
SIS this the messenger boy I just
ordered?"
Eyes, lady" said a bright voice,
"and I can stay all day with you, Ii
you want me. What shall I do f1rst?"
"Well, had basket of food to
send across the street to poor Mrs.
Finnegan, but my little boy thought
it was too heavy, and you don't look
much stronger than he does"
"Humph!" said the messenger boy.
cheerily, picking up the basket. cts
light as a f1y!" and away he went. He
was back again in a minute, rosy
checked and smiling, and asking,
"What next, ma'am?"
II wonder if you can wipe dishes?"
said mother.
ssSure! I used to do it for my
mother before was messenger boy,
and made 'em shine, too"
So, while he polished the plates,
mother made pie for dinner, and the
messenger boys eyes shone when he
saw that she was cutting out small
round pieces for tarts.
"Say, LADY," said he, II can put the
jelly in EN-
ooh, that's good" said mother.
"My Bobby sometimes does that, and
1 always have him taste the jelly first
to see if it's just right
I'm a very good jelly-taster," said
the messenger boy, and his face
beamed when mother handed him
large spoonful of the beautiful red
jelly.
ST wonder" mother said after a
while, eff you might stay to luncheon
with me. I'm all alone to-day
"Well," said the messenger boy,
sthey don't often let me, but you're
such nice lady that I think 'twould
be all right-and, maybe!-'cause
you're so very nice, I might-sleep
here to-night-if you want me to-"
"But where could you sleep?"
asked mother.
"Why, I s'pose your little boy has
bed?"
ooh, yes; one all his own, right by
the side of mine"
"Well," said the messenger boy,
with a funny look at her, why
couldn't you take your little boy into
your bed, and let me sleep in his?''
Messenger boy" said mother, L
shall have to kiss you!" The little
messenger boy moved slowly toward
her. "I-s'pose-you-could," he
said. "I-don't-b'lieve-they'd-
care" Then he gave a run and
climbed into her lap.
"You see,' he whispered, hugglng
her tight. "they couldn't mind
you're such very sweet, dear lady!"
-Rosalie NJ. Cody, in Little Folks.