St. Tammany farmer. [volume] (Covington, La.) 1874-current, 1910-07-16
ADOPTING
CHUBBY
By LETTIE WEBER

sat dlsconSOlate on the
..one stoop. On the other side of the
street a lot Of boys were PLAYING fire
engine-playing it with his exnress
wagon too. but Chubby was not ner.
nltted to leave the yard and thew had
grown tired Of a fire district conf,nad
70 = solemn circuit of the flowerbor.
Snuooy mad vaguely intimated that
presently Jane might come along with
not gingerbread. but they had not
listened to the suggestion.
II they say Chubby eating ginger.
ureao they We're prepared to swarm
PACK again, but. in the meantime. thew
preferred the opposite side Of the
street. ~here Browns empty stable
lnaae splendid fire house, and thew
could race clear to the corner and
PACK IN answering an alarm.
onuooy's plump face was drawn
nato the suggestion of whimper as
ne contemplated their treachery. But
ne was too game to cry and presently
the lines relaxed and Sue Sanderson.
coming down the street, received a
smile IN answer to her greeting.
what are you doing here all
aone!" she cried briskly. "Why don't
you play with the other little bovs
Chubby?" >
His under lip quivered a little.
They won't stay in the yard and ma
won't let me play in the street." he
explained. "They were here, but they
took my wagon and went away"
sues face grew soft. Chubby's
mother was a woman famous in the
club world. She was too busy to play
with her little boy. It was enough
that he had plenty of toys.
She rescued the wagon from the
boys, but the desertion of his play.
mates still grieved Chubby and she
took the disconsolate little fellow in
her arms and, sitting down on the
steps, proceeded to tell him a fairy
story.
So interested did they grow in the
romance she was weaving that neither
noticed that someone had stopped out
side OF the gate until, with a shout
Chubby wriggled out of her arms and
bumped down the steps to greet his
Uncle Harry.
Tcame to see If Chubby wanted to
go for drive" he explained as he
came up the steps with his small
nephew on his shoulder. IT don't like
to interrupt your visit"
Il Just stopped because he seemed
80 lonesome," she explained. 1.-THE
boys had taken his wagon and were
playing with it on the other side of
the street. l was sorry for hirn and
was telling story"
''Tel 1t to US BOTH" the man plead
ed as he looked toward the buggy. "Tt
will be fine drive over to the lake
and back"
I'm sorry for the little fellow"
said Harry Kinsman, as they drove
slowly homeward Il suppose IL any
one told Nell that she was not good
mothersther would be mighty row,
but she is so occupied with her club
affairs that Chubby gets little mother
ing. come around as often as can
and take him out, but this has been q
red-letter day with you along"
ut was very good of you to ask
me-" she said, as she glanced down
at the little fellow sleeping with his
head against her shoulder.
II did not know before that you
cared for children" he said slowly, as
his glance rested on her face. Some
how, I've always seemed to think Of
you as one Of the society butterflies"
when you are In Rome" she quo
ted, lightly.
That's so," he admitted, wonder
ingly. Il suppose it's because I've
only met you at teas and things. But
when I came up the walk this after
noon your face looked like madon-
mas"
THE madonna of the marcel wave?"
she asked, with a little laugh. I'm
afraid that was not dressed for the
part"
Il didn't see your hair or your
Clothes" he denied. IT only saw your
face and wondered how 1t would seem
to Chubby Il he had mother who
could look like that"
"You are unfair to your sister," she
protested Because she is very
busy woman it does not follow that
she is always engrossed with her pa
pers."
II suppose not" he admitted, 'tbut
you don't know how you looked. It
was like meeting a stranger whom you
felt that you must have known for
long time. can't just explain. I've
always liked YOU, but somehow when
I saw you on the steps this afternoon
/ Just wanted to take you in my arms
and tell you how much loved you. l
don't know how I've kept from blurt-
ing 1t out before now. It's not much
like real proposal. Sue. can't get
down on my knees and ask you to be
mine, but do want you, dear, and so
does Chubby. Will you marry the two
OF us, little girlr"
She looked down into the face o.
the SlseTfng child and then shyly into
her lovers face.
Fl think Chubby needs me-" she
said, softly.
Chubby stirred uneasily and opened
his sleepy eyes.
kiss me, too" he commanded. II
wish you was my mamma"
TITS all right, old fellow" said Har-
~. with happy laugh. Were go
ing to adopt you the future Mrs.
rirsnnan and l."
The Father Of Medicine.