Mexico Missouri message. (Mexico, Audrain County, Mo.) 1899-1918, 1910-09-15
MIXING THE
FESTIVITIES

her to appreciate her little brother,
even when the joke is at her expense.
Besides, she says, It is expedient In,
ell cases that we be reasonable.
Her brother Donald's case is not al,
together unusual. For ten months he,
appears to be an exemplary school
boy peacefully imbibing his allotment
Of the course OF study. However, he.
develops in midsummer an unquench'l
able spirit of ingenuity and mischief.
Marion is forgivlng and, for the most
part, mistaken in her belief that Don
aid is dear" and Interesting"
Somehow Donald has a way Of con-
vincing you that his fun is not only
legitimate but necessary. Besides,
Marion has usually found It easy
enough to be game"
Last week Marion gave an after
noon luncheon to a half-dozen girls
whose acquaintance she made re-
Gently at a house party.
AS the third guest was arriving she
happened to glance out of the win
dow. She saw to her horror weird
procession filing significantly to the
back of the house. She had seen that
train before.
There were children of many sizes
and both sexes, some Of them drag
ging little brothers and sisters by
the hand. Directly in front of the
house she recognized Annie zelinski,
the washerwoman's little girl, stand
ing with her chubby hands on her
hips her head erect and shouting at
every passer by in tones that were
far from ladylike:
This way to the big show! This
way to the big show! Only one cent?"
us that your little sister outsider"
the third guest asked. sweetly, as
Marion greeted her.
my little sister? Goodness, moi"
said Marion. She explained, however.
that to her little brothers business
sense was due the selection of An
ME as barker"
Evidently Donald has taken It into
his head to give one of his shows to-
day" she said, calmly. Inwardly she
was not so calm.
When the last guest was arriving
there were no children in sight except
Annie, who stood resolutely at the
tree in front, still shouting:
This way to the big show! This
way to the big show"
The last guest flushed, paused as II
about to speak to the child, and then.
way, smiled too.
Some neighbours child evidently
thinks your party is a joke" she
said.
she isn't neighbours child" Ma
rion laughed. land she isn't taking
an interest in my party" Then she
explained again.
Behind the scenes, however, her
courage failed. She complained to her
mother, almost in tears.
81 can't do anything about It now.
dear" her mother said. THE base
ment is full of children and Donald
says he can't turn them away"
Donald is always plausible" Ma
rion sighed. Then she returned to the
parlor.
At first 1t was all quite natural for
the guests to smile at the clamor be-
low, but as their own conversation
became more interesting the Interrupt
tiOns became less and less amusing.
1t is not pleasant to have to strain
your voice to be heard. Further, the
noise made by restless feet, accom-
panied intermittently by the pro-
testing walls of baby brothers and
sisters, however diverting It may
be, is not a combination Of sounds
that one could wish prolonged. The
guests strove bravely to make the
best of It.
do take us down to see them, :"
they begged, at last.
you wouldn't enjoy it." said Ma
rion. desperately, "and the basement
you know what easements are"
Their attempts at finding it "alI so
quaint and interesting" were begin
ming to pail fearfully, Marion thought,
so she was glad when the luncheon
was served. Then the prospect bright
ened.
The children left the basement in
a body and only the faint sound of
voices in the back yard could be
heard. Marion felt relieved. At
least the worst was over.
AS usual, the girls grew reminis-
cent at the close Of the luncheon and
fingered at the table for some time.
At last there came a lull. Marion
heard little scufie on the back porch
and then came the unmistakable voice
Of her brother, speaking in tones Of
authority.
"Aw, can't you wait a few min
utes? They're not through yeti"
81 wish we could have made the &C
quaintance of your little brother" the
girls declared at parting
> Donald" Marion said, that eve
ning-for Donald is a boy who can be
reasoned with-"didn't you know that
was going to have my luncheon to
| doy9n