The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1909-07-30


Johnny-boy, IL should give you enc
of mine, cohldt graduate from the
High School with my class, and that
would put me year behind them at
college, too; so really don't see how
Z can spare you one without upset
ting all my plans. Now please run
away, because I am very busy. Go
and ask Granmamma for a year. She
has more than anyone in the house,
and she might be willing to give you
! one"
Grandmamma, who was really
Great-gran dmamma, only the name
was too long for everyday use, was
sitting in a sunny corner of the We
randa reading a very old book with
a brown cover and yellow pages, some
of which were quite freckled.
"Coaild You give me a year, please.
Nanna?' asked John.
t'Give you year? What do you
4 mean, dearie?"
Il need more years, so l can vote,
and Helen says you have lots of them,
so thought maybe you might give
me one"
"Bless the child! certainly have
plenty, but don't think can give
any OF them away"
Il would give you an election card
for one; / would give you two
three -four election cards. Please,
Mammal"
II dent believe any OF my Yeas
would help you to vote, dearie. They
are not the right kind of years.
have eighty-five of them, and / have
never been able to use any Of them
to vote with"
/ 1t was another disappo intment; 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
perarnbulator, and the baby was try
4 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
ed out his hands with loud cry.
4 "I'll give 1t 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 cruel
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
a year away from him. Now give him
his dog, John, dear!"
John sighed as he laid the rubber
dog across the baby's kicking feet.
Melody seems to have amy years
they don't need"
There comes your father. Now
maybe he'll he having some for you"
suggested Bridget. comfortingly, as
she wheeled the perambulator down
the garden walk.
| Johns father stopped a moment at
the gate to play with the baby. and
then came to the steps, where he
halted at sight of his elder sons rue
full face
whats wrong. Johnny-boy?" he
asked.
81 want some years." said John.
Some years?" said his father,
looking puzzled. John explained. and
his father nodded his head under
standingly, as he sat down on the
broad railing and drew the little boy
on his knee.
"P sorry can't help you out,
John" he sadd, but / need all the
years l have for what we call refer
ence. to help me to be a good law
yer to earn enough money for us all
1 / have to use my years every day
! and If were to give any away I
should miss them very much"
"But who gives them to your"
asked John SIS it the judge?"
His father smiled mo- it isn't the
Judge. 1t is Father Time. for he is
really the only person who has many
years to give away
Where is his office?" Johns faith
I er had an office. so John supposed
that anyone else called father must
have one, too.
| Well" said his father. thoughtful
ly. 81 don't know exactly where his
office is, 1 know that he is still
in business, for he is sending mo
years all the time; and, John, now
that l think of it, believe he Is
sending you some years, too. You
have six whole ones, and few days
over, haven't you? That isn't such
bad beginning for a collection o.
years"
But it isn't enough to vote with"
objected John. IF you knew where
his office was / could go and ask
him. for lot more
'I don't think he would let YOU
have them. You will get the years
in the end. but I'm afraid you will
have to take them as Father Tin.
gives them, day at tine"
Its about as hard to get years as