The Newark journal., 1911-08-04
JOHNN SYMPTOMS

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 There was no doubt that something was the matter with Johnny The heart of his mother stood still for one panic-strlcken second.
 No, mother" he said when she car ried the piece of pie to him out in the back yard. T don't care for 1t. I don't feel like eating"
 And this at o'clock in the after noon, when usually he was ravenous.
 Does your head ache?" she asked, anxiousIy. Johnny wrtggfed and con sidered He kicked the toy rake with which he had been industriously pill ing up gravel and then shook his head in question
 No, not exactly" he told her "But my head feels awful queer! 1 feel queer in most parts of me shouldn't wonder if l was going to be awful sick
 Goodness gracious Johnny!" cried his mother Tell me Just how you feel and where it hurts!9
 Nothing hurts. exactly" her son said. That Is. nothing that l know the name of. But l feel awful funny l don't think feel like walking clear to Mrs Smiths with that package you asked me to-"
 You'd better come right into the house and lie down, said his mother I'll cover you up with the new afghan
 7Yes'm. said her son, obediently thus further alarming his pasent
 She lowered over him with hot lem onade and other delectable things Hn til his father came home. The in valid on the library couch could hear the tndistinct murmur of their voices from the front hall, where his mother had stopped his father to tell him the news.
 T cant lmagine," his mother was saving Hes been so well all sum mer up at the farm and has played and eaten like six boys instead of one and eyer since We got home tive 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 etaaa bv the couch. s'Hello,e he said as he rested his fingers on his sons fore head. Whats this l hear? Why. you're not sick-you're foolfngt"
 Johnny regarded him with reproaeh fal eyes. T feel awful aueer,e he re. peated. Kinda sick and-and fun ny
 He hasn't any fever" said his fath. CT to his mother. and his eyes look all right. Still. of course. yoH cant tell about child I'll just phone Dr. BilBacker-"
 There was a vail from the couch. T don't want pr Bilpacker," Johnny cried T don't want any horrid old doctor"
 You sec said his mother. "how nervous he is2 That's totally unlike himself. Pm 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 a positive howl of pro. test from the couch The volume of Johnny's cries held no hint of weak ness
 T simply can't understand him." Johnny's mother said. on the verge of tears.
 Johnnys father sat down determin edly and grasped one rebellious small hand Now, son. he said, tell fath CT all about it"
 ''Fhey ain't noth-nothin to tell. Johnny sniffed
 Well can you think of anything you want that would make you feel hetter2 Just tell me what the trou ble Is"
 The inyahd's eyes roamed from the ceiling 10 the mantel and then met his fathers gaze for a brief secyad There is somethin',a he admitted. q think f would make me well"
 'What?' demanded both parents. in a breath.
 Johnny gulped. and then spoke very rapidly q think I need to go back 10 the farm and help Andrew dip outI gopher holes an ride the old horse an fish an everything And I think I'd better start early next Monday"
 Johnny's father, after a brief pause tured his head over his shoulder and spoke low to Iohnny's mother: School begins next Monday, you know-the l little imp"
 Then he arose and grinncd down at his invalid son Sec herei" ho said ! sharply You get right mp and take that bundle oyer to Mrs Smiths, and hustle back here in time for dinner l think you'll be we'll by that time, don't you2 And youII be feeling extra brisk by next Monday morning and have all your books ready for school Or shall you and I have q session In