The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1911-02-05
CUDDLFS AND MUDDLES.

Cuddles looked rather uncertain and
shook his head. He was inclined to
cry, but Grandpapa, seeing the CULVER
ing lip. called out heartily:
Come Wen FIX those old boots-that
led you into mischief-all right again.
Come. don't be a cry-baby, my son. but
be brave-as you always are"
"All wight, Gran-papa," agreed Cud.
dies. And he came to Grandpapa, who
took him into The kitchen. There Grand
papa removed the boots from Cuddies'
feet and looked them over slowly. shak-
ing his head the while. 'Muddles. We'll
call these boots.'' be said
And then 1t was that Cuddles laughed
and laughed. 1t was so funny, the idea
of naming a pair Of boots. And the
name sounded SO much like his own
Gu d e s-Muddlesl And Grandpnpa
laughed too, for Grandpapa had way
of laughing at almost everything, Cud-
dies thought. Grandpapa had always
been his chum-his best playmate
Grandpapa soon had the boots washed
off very clean, and Cuddles had them
again on his little pink feet, and was
stamping about the house, playing at
being a soldier. And when Mamma came
into the living room Cuddles cried out to
her. Mamma, do you know Muddles!
And Mamma looked inquiringly at her
little boy and said: "Muddles? No, Sonny,
don't think I ever met any little boy
named Muddles. Who is he. dearr'
Grandpapa couldn't hide his smile, but
he choked back loud laugh. Cuddles
laughed in spite of himself. for 1t was too
funny to see how serious Mamma was
and how Granpapa was shaking all inside.
"W'y, Muddles isn't boy" Informed
Cuddles.
"Then Muddles is a girl7" asked Man,
ma.
Cuddles shook his head. mo. Mamma.
not girl"
"Then a dog--or a cat?" asked Mamma.
Neither one" grinned Cuddles.
"Well. then I can't imagine who--or
wiz Muddles Is" said Mamma.
ii ddles looked down at his boots.
Man. Ia was very quick at understanding
and she said. "Oh and SO these fine new
boots are named Muddles! But why name
them such a name? Muddles makes one
think of mud"
Then Grandpapa explained that the
boots deserved the name since they had
carried Cuddes into the mudpuddle In
the backyard. And Mamma looked re-
provingly at Cuddles. "Ah, but Cuddles
is n LITTLE MAN. and Muddles is only
boots" declared Mamma. And Cuddles
is very, very wise, and the boots-poor
things-have no heads to think with. So
1t was Cuddes who carried Muddles into
the mud, Grandpapa."
Graudpapa seemed to be thinking deeply.
"Well, you are right, Alice, 1t was Cud-
dies fault that Muddles got soiled. Cud-
dies will have to be more careful In fu-
ture.''
'Oh, 1 will, Grandpapa," cried Cuddles.
at was my fault, Grandpapa. III never
take Muddles into the mud again He-I
mean they-are too pretty"
"Yes, and dear old double uddles will
be faithful to you If you are good to
ahem, well, we'll have to say THEM. for
| Muddles comes In a pair"
"Oh. know" cried Cuddles. "Muddles
Is twins"
"Are twins" corrected Mamma. Then
they all laughed and began figuring out
Just how to define Muddles. II guess
We'll have to give Muddles two Names"
suggested Grandpapa. ''since there are
two of him."
"Oh, l know" cried Cuddles. "We'li
call one Right Muddles and the other Left
Muddles."
'Capital!'' cried Grandpapa. And Mann
ma kissed Cuddles and said he must al
ways be very careful to keep Right Mud
dies and Left Muddles nice and clean. as
they were never responsible for the con-
dition they got into. Its the little feet
in them that lead them this way or
that" explained Mamma