The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1911-08-23
TOO MUCH FATHER

didn't want her to. I'm going to call
him Mr. What-ev er his name-is is.
That'll make him mad. | bet What's
the matter, phil2 What are you laugh
ing about Iou re sending me pohyE
That's fine. You come right over,
cause you and mother" Billy hesi-
tatcd while he tried to swallow lump
that came in his throat, &ou soc. You
and mother are about the best friends
I've got and / guess III be kinda
lonesome for while. Thank you, Phil.
+ Good bye.
%. Liza. Phis sending me a ponyl
lie said il was his wedding present
for mother Thatu make him mad.
| bet. cause won't any of 1t be his.
billy, YOU mustn't start out trytn'
10 make him mad. Thatll make your
ma misorable 70 Mis- Mary, she s
had a sight Of trouble. an her 50
young! Now YOU be a good boy, Billy.
I IN hgtp make her happy.
/ "One fathers enough for any boy.
Liza Nobody wants ninren one.
Mother says tina more n cue piece OK
p!e, is TOO much PIE and | think more'n
one father Ia too much father, too.
Not able to cope with his argument.
Liza wisely suggested that he watch
for the new pony
1 4 don't seem to be Interested in that
pony, Liza It's fine OF Phil 10 send &c
4 10 I3E. GAI - JAHA HGtl4tss am az"
spects thai pong 10 pay for mother.
/ Phil, he's giving it to mo cause he's
sorry for me, but / don't like for
people 10 I've sorry for me. II makes
trne feel funny inside. and takes the
'preCi8tion RIGHT out of me"
I Vow, 8iut you one chile 10 talk
/ that a way Run and get your cap
on see Mister Fhils man a comm
with the pony
I With Wild whoop or delight Billy
was gone y new tan saddle adorned
the back Of the little animal and
{ Riily. srorunS the profered assistance
of Phil Warrens man swung himself
ON ana was of.
You just walk along. Charley" hs
said to the groom. I've practised
riding a good deal on Tom Martins
pony Bat bes awfai gentle. Girls
can ride him DO / sit up straight 50
Phii2e he asked with a little show
of pride,
You're leaning n little too far over.
Master. Billy said tbss man caut4osas..es
~. Hold up straighter and III WALK
along beside YOU until you get used
TO his gait
ETC his what, Charley ~
ITO his gait, Master Billy, To thu
way he moves, mean
1t was almost dusk when 8illy left
+ his new treasure ard walked quietly up
The steps and Cpened the door The new
father was there. and he preferred not
to meet him until he was washed and
ready for dim er. He closed the door
so gently that there MAS no sound. He
glanced toward tho library and there.
! silhouetted against the freight, two
figures were merged into one. Billy
was slipping hy when his mothers
/ quick eye caught &, mt of him over ina
/ mans shoulder.
% Billy darllng, come right In and
speak to your father" she called ana
Bully noted with a tightening of the
throat that there was the sound or
happy laughter in her voice She was
harpy even when he was miserable'
Come speak 20 yeur father: SON.
she said again, but Billy never lifted
his eyes nor stirred He stood IN tho
doorway looking down intently at his
cap as he rapidly twirled it in his
hands
"Howdy-do. Mr. what-ever-vou.-
nane-is," he said without any outward
shcw of feeling, although he was Sc
1 cretly proud of himself because he had
dared to carry out his threat
There was n shout OF laughter ana
Billy was suddenly caught and thrown
UP IN the air and held there by two
7 strong arms. lie WAS Indignant at his
step fathers easy familiarity. Slowly
he bent his head and looked down taso
the flushed happy face of Phil
Why Phil it's YOU You. NV
father and down he slipped untr NJ,
arms were ticlt about the mans throat
ana his head in the dear accustomed
place on Pills broad shoulder.
The Jokes on YOU this time. OLD
man. SO you didn't want me to have
any ice cream slippers for dinner"
fshaw Phil said Billy. bravely
Whkihg away happy tears Of surprise,
! was just tending, anyhow. l knew
II was you all the time