Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1911-09-22


liz chile"
"Hellol This is Billy Reynolds. Is
that you. Phil? o. Phil. I've got a
step-father coming. l just wish it was
you. No, mother never told me who 1t
was. she just said she was coming to-
night. Liza got some Ice cream slip
pers when she heard about 1t, but |
didn't want her to. I'm going to call
him Mr.. What-ever-his-name.i Thatll
make him mad, bet What's the
matter, Phil? What are you laughing
about? You're sending me a pony?
That's fine. You come right over.
cause you and mother" Billy hest.
tated while he tried to swallow a
lump that came in his throat, you
see, you and mother are about the
best friends I've got, and guess ri
be kinda lonesome for awhile. Thank
you Phil Goodby."
20, Liza, Phil's sending me a pony!
He said 1t was his wedding present
for mother. That'll make him mad.
bet, cause won't any of it be his"
BILLY, you mustn't start out tryin
to make him mad. Thatll make your
ma miserable. Po Mis- Mary. she's
had sight of trouble, an her so
young! Now, you be a good boy. Bill
ly, an help make her happy"
"One fathers enough for any boy,
Liza Nobody want more'n one.
Mother says that more'n one piece OF
| pie is too much pie and l think more'n
| one father is too much father, too"
Not able to cope with his argument,
Liza wisely suggested that he watch
for the new pony.
| II don't seem to be interested in
that pony, Liza. It's fine of Phil to
send it to me, but it Just seems like
he 'spects that pony to pay for moth.
er. Phil, he's giving 1t to me- cause
he's sorry for me, but I don't like for
people to be sorry for me. 1t makes
me feel funny inside, and takes the
probation right out of me-"
Now, amt you one chile to talk
that way? Run and get your cap
on. l see Mister Phil's man a comm
with the pony"
| With a wild whoop of delight Billy
was gone. A new tan saddle adorned
the back of the little animal and Billy,
scorning the proffered assistance Of
Phil Warren's man. swung himself on
and was off.
You just walk along, Charley" he
said to the groom. I've practiced rid
ing a good deal on Tom Martins
pony But he's awful gentle. Girls
can ride him. Do l sit up straight as
Phil?" he asked with a little show OF
pride.
You're leaning little too far over,
Master Billy" said the man cautious
ly. Hold up straighter and I'll walk
along beside you until you get used to
his gait"
ITO his what Charley?"
ITO his gait. Master Billy, to the
way he moves, / mean"
1t was almost dusk when Billy left
his new treasure and walked quietly
up the steps and opened the door. The
new father was there, and he pre-
ferred not to meet him until he was
washed and ready for dinner. He
closed the door so gently that there
was no sound. He glanced toward the
library and there, silhouetted against
the freight two figures were merged
into one. Billy was slipping by wher
his mothers quick eye caught sight o
him over the mans shoulder.
20, Billy darling, come right in ant
speak to your father" she called ant
Billy noted with a tightening OF thu
throat that there was the sound o
happy laughter in her voice. She wa'
happy even when he was miserable!
Come speak to your father. son.
she said again, but Billy never lifte'
his eyes nor stirred. He stood In th
doorway, looking down intently at hi
cap as he rapidly twirled 1t In hi
hands.
"Howdy-do, Mr.. What-ever-youI
name-is," he said without any oul
ward show of feelin, although he wa
secretly proud of himself because h
had dared to carry out his threat.
There was shout of laughter an
Billy was suddenly caught and throw
up In the air and held there by tw
, strong arms. He was indignant at hi
step-father's easy familiarity. Slowl
, he bent his head and looked down Int
q the flushed, happy face of Phil.
! "Why, Phil. it's you! You, my ff
ther!" and down he slipped until hi
arms were tight about the man
n throat and his head in the dear az
cutomed place on Phil's broad shou
!. der.
"The Jokes on you this time. oil
: man. So you didn't want me to hav
any Ice cream slippers for dinner"
y !. "Pshaw, Phil" said Billy. bravel
winking away happy tears of sui
prise, 81 was just tending. anyhow
i | knew 1t was you all the time"
-, o1,1L O.. M,uas