The Butler weekly times. (Butler, Mo.) 1881-1918, 1910-12-01
IOHNNY'S
SYMPTOMS

There was no doubt that something
was the matter with Johnny, The
heart Of his mother stood still for
one panic-stricken second
NO. mother" he said when she car
ried the piece of pie to him out In
the back yard. Il don't care 70. II.
| don't feel like eating"
And this at o'c.ock in the after
noon. when usually he was rave0ous
Does your head aehe?" she aske
anxiously. Johnny wlgsled and c
sidered. He kicked the toy rake vi.
which he had been industrio lsll pi
ne up gravel and ID N shook his hea
n question.
No. not exactly" h told her %
ny head feels awful queer. | lee
queer in most parts of ne. sholl n
wonder If | was goinc to be a".u
sick."
Goodness gracious, johuny!" o"e5
his mother. Tel ne Just low yot
feel and where It hurts"
Nothing hurts exactly" her a
tM, THAT Is. no,hirg that kco.
he name Of Bat leel awill !u9ag
| don't think feel Ike walking CO
to Mrs. Smiths with that package yot
aahed me to"
You'd better conc RICH, into he
house and lie down." said his moth >
III cover You up with the new
ghan,"
"fesm," said her son. oh"Gi>nt s.
,hus further alarming his parent.
she lowered over hin with hot lem.
onade and other delectahe things in.
II! his father came. home. The In
valid on the library couch could hear
the indistinct murmur OF their voice
from the front hall. where ais mothec
had stopped his father to tell him the
news.
Il can't imagine," his mother was
saying, He's been so we'll all sum.
mer up at the farm and has played
ard eaten like six boys instead OF one
and ever since we got home two
days ago he's been acting so queer
and mopy-no energy or noise! |
thing we'd better have the doctor in"
Johnny's father came in with an
ostensibly cheerful air and stood by
the couch, Hello" he said as he
rested his fingers on his sons fore
head. whats this | hear? Why,
you're not sick-you're fooling,"
Johnny regarded him with reproach
full eyes. Il feel awful queer" he re.
pcated, Kinda sick and-and fun
ny"
He hasn't any fever" said his faith.
er to his mother, "and his eyes look
all right. Still, Of course, you can't
tell about child. I'll just phone DR.
Rilpacker-"
There was a wall from the couch.
Il don't want DR.. Bilpacker!" Johnny
cried II don't want any horrid old
doctor"
You see.' said his mother, how
nervous he Is? That's totally unlike
himself! I'm sure something serious
is the matter with him. Now, John.
ny. the doctor won't give you any bit.
ter medicine. It will have sugar all
over It and you won't mind It at all"
There was positive howl of pro.
test from the couch. The volume of
Johnny's cries held no hint of weak.
ness.
81 simply can't understand HIM"
Iohnny's mother said, on the verge of
tears.
Iohnny's father sat down determln.
eddy and grasped one rebellious small
hand. Now. son." he said. tell faith.
or all about It."
They amt noth-nothin' to tell.
Johnny shifted.
We'll. can you think of anything
you want that would make You fees
better? Just tell me what the trou-
BILE is"
The invalid's eyes roamed from the
ceiling to the mantel and then met his
fathers gaze for brief secynd
{ There is somethin'." he admitted. "a
think 1t would make me. we'll"
WHAT" demanded both parents, in
breath.
: Johnny gulped. and then spoke very
rapidly. 81 think I need to go back
70 the farm and help Andrew dip out
gopher holes an ride the old horse
an fish an everything! And | think
I'd better start early next Monday"
Johnny's father. after brief pause
tured his head over his shoulder and
spoke low to Johnny's mother "Schoo
begins next Monday. you know-the
little imp"
Then he arose and grinned down al
his invalid son. See here" he said
sharply. you get right up and take
that bundle over to Mrs. Smiths, and
hustle back here In time for dinner!
think you'll be well by that time
don't you? And you'll be feeling extra
brisk by next Monday morning ant
have all your books ready for school,
Or shall you and I have a session ir
the basement"
Johnny was scrambling to his feet
: 81 guess I feel better now" he ad
mitted. 81 don't feel 80 queer. I g,ies.