The Greenville journal. [volume] (Greenville, Ohio) 1850-1918, 1912-05-09

when he is by himself, but he is easily
led into mischief"
Miss Minervas face blazed with in.
dignation.
Williams fault indeed!" she an
swered back. There never was a
sweeter child than William" for the
lonely woman knew the truth at last.
At the thought that her little nephew
might be hurt, long forgotten tender
ness stirred her bosom and she real
lied for the first time how the child
had grown into her life.
The telegram came.
"They are all right" shouted Mr..
Garner ioyously, as he quickly opened
and read the yellow missive, they
went on the excursion and Sam Lamb
is bringing them home on the accom-
modation."
AS the major, short, plump, rubi-
cand, Jolly, and Miss Minerva, tall,
sallow, angular, solemn, were walking
to the station to meet the train that
was bringing home the runaways, the
elderly lover knew himself to be at
last master of the situation.
THE trouble with Billy" he began,
adjusting his steps to Miss Minerva's
mincing walk.
William" she corrected, family.
"The trouble with Billy" repeated
her suitor firmly, "is this: You have
tried to make a girl out Of healthy.
high-spirited boy; you have MT given
him the toys and playthings a boy
should have; you have not even given
the child common love and affection" "
He was letting himself go, for he knew
that she needed the lecture, and, won
derful to tell, she was listening meek
ly. You have steeled your heart" he
went on, against Billy and against
me. You have about as much idea how
to manage a boy as a-as "a" he
hesitated for suitable comparison;
he wanted to say goat" but gallantry
forbade; "as any other old maid" he
blurted out, realizing as he did so that
woman had rather be called a goat
than an old maid any time.
The color mounted to Miss Miner
vas face.
81 don't have to be an old maid" she
snapped spunkily.
mo; and you are not going to be
one any longer" he answered with de-
cision. II tell you what, Miss Minerva,
we are going to make a fine, manly
boy out of that nephew Of yours"
"We?" she echoed family.
"Yes, we! l said we, didn't II"
replied the major ostentatiously. "The
child shall have a pony to ride and
everything else that a boy ought to
have. He is full Of natural animal
spirits and has to find some outlet for
them; that is the reason he is always
in mischief. Now, think l under
stand children" He drew himself up
proudly. I'VE shall be married tomor-
row." he announced, that I may as.
sumo at once my part Of the RESPONSE
bility of Billy's rearing"
Miss Minerva looked at him in flut.
tering CONSERVATION.
"Oh, no, not tomorrow" she pro.
tested; possibly next year some
time"
Tomorrow" reiterated the major
his white mustache bristling with de-
termination. Having at last asserted
himself, he was enjoying the situation
immensely and was not going to give
way one inch.
I'VE will be married tomorrow
and"
Next month" she suggested timidly
Tomorrow, tell you!"
Next week." she answered.
Tomorrow! Tomorrow! Tomor
row!" cried the major, happy as q
schoolboy.
Next Sunday night after church,
pleaded Miss Minerva.
mo, not next Sunday or Monday OF
Tuesday. We will be married tomor
row." declared the dictatorial Confed'
crate veteran.
Billy's aunt succumbed.
"Oh, Joseph" she said with almost
simper, you are SO masterful."
How would you like me for an
uncle?" Miss Minerva's afianced asked
Billy a few minutes later.
Fine an dandy" was the answer
| as the child wriggled himself out Of