Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1909-12-08
THE BOY THEY CALLED
"S,I ,ElEPY :"

word true, 1t would scarcely do to re-
peat, because 1t is so much like the
fable Of the hare and the tortoise.
In Southern California. when little
boys walk into the country in Au.
gust. they plan an early morning
start. BY eight o'clock the sun is
apt to be too hot for comfort. No
one finds any fault with the sun for
shining as 1t does. because without
its bright, strong rays. how could
California make raisins in the open
vineyards, and how could the figs and
prunes ripen.
Instead Of asking the sun not to
shine, Palmer, Chester. Charlie, and
Gar simply decided to go to Grandpa
Palmer's ranch before the sun looked
over the Sierras; that is. Palmer.
Chester, and Charlie decided. Gar
didn't make any suggestions. The
boys called him Sleepy
1t was enough for Gar to know that
his mother had finally consented
when he begged to be allowed to go
to the ranch. He was good-natured
boy; grown folks liked him. They new.
er thought of calling him SLEEPY"
Grandpa Palmer had gone East
months before. leaving his ranch in
care Of an old man and his wife.
When he went away. he told Palmer
to take his friend to the ranch when
ever he chose, and to help himself to
whatever fruit happened to be ripe
oranges. peaches, apricots. berries.
anything in its season.
The first load Of watermelons ship
ped in from the Imperial Valley re.
minded Palmer Of the melon patch on
his grandfather's ranch.
We'll start early; don't forget
that. Sleepy" were Palmer's last
words to his neighbor across the cor
ner the night before the hoped-for
watermelon feast.
Chester and Charlie. who were
brothers, set the alarm for half-past
three o'clock. The corner was quieter
than usual that evening with the four
in bed.
When the alarm went OF at dawn,
the mother of Chester and Charlie
ran across the hall and smothered
he clock
Boys" said she. you'll wake the
Whole neighborhood, It's too early to
start now. You turn over and take
another nap 10
AS mother went back to her room.
she saw small boy on the street
below walking slowly up and down.
She was sure it was Palmer. and yet
It seemed strange that Palmer would
be so quiet. 1t wasn't like him.
At five O'clock three boys had eat,
IN their breakfast and were ready to
start
Now. where's Carr" asked one.
Where is he?" demanded the 9TH
ar two.
Straight across the street went Pal.
mer and outside Cars bedroom win
low shouted:
"Hey. Sleepy! Wake up. Sleepy!
Hey there!" This he repeated for
perhaps three minutes.
At last Cars mother appeared at
ne door
Where's Carp asked Palmer.
Gone to Bloomington" was the re-
lily. "He started over an hour ago.
qe was afraid you boys had gone
without him. You told him you were
going early and wouldn't wait II he
wasn't ready"
"And we called him Sleepy!"
chuckled one Of the boys when they
followed in Cars footsteps to the
ranch.
Hell have good chance to visit
the olive mills at Bloomington before
we catch him." said another.
Truth is. 1t would have been i'm
possible for three barefoot boys to
cvertake Gar that day. To begin
with, he had ride all the way to
Bloomington on milk wagon. From
Bloomington he easily swalked the
mile to the ranch. He was sitting by
the roadside waiting fop the boys
when an automobile came around the
corner and stopped.
"Why. Gar. what are you doing
here?. inquired the owner Of, the ma,
chine.
Gar explained.
Are the watermelons ripe?" asked
the man.
mo. that's the worst of 1t! They're
green's alfalfa!"
We've started for Los Angeles"
the neighbor continued. Hop in.
Well telephone to your mother SO
she won't worry"
Three boys were sitting on the
curbstone that night talking over the
adventures Of the day. when an auto
mobile stopped on the corner and a
small boy jumped out.
why, it's Gar! Come on over"
called one Of the three. You must
have had the time of your life! Come
here and tell us about it."
mot now" was the reply. I'm
too sleepy."-Frances Margaret Fox.
In, Ill