The Ocala evening star. [volume] (Ocala, Fla.) 1895-1943, 1912-03-09
The
Deadlock

wen, l don't want her TO De De-
hind the children of her own age"
said Mrs. Richmond, hesitatingly. But
she's such tiny thing! feel as II 1t
would be deliberately giving my baby
over to the hands OF the destroyer"
You might teach her at home"
ventured Richmond
His wife's face frightened. 80
might she returned, and / do be-
heve WILL" Then she looked dubious
for moment. But don't know what
to teach her"
Teach her her letters" said Rich
mond That was good enough for
you and me, and I've heard lots OF
people complain that their children
didn't know the alphabet"
Il believe I'll try" said Mrs. Rich
mond.
Accordingly the next morning she
cornered her eve lamb in the nur-
sery.
Nov, Frances, darling" she said,
with the carefully assumed veneer OF
buoyancy in which she had seen
kindergartners and other guardians OF
the infant intelligence enwrap them
selves as with garment, you and
are going to have a dear little school
right here In the nursery"
Il would rather" remarked the pros
pective pupil refiectively, have big
apple and piece of candy"
Well, may be Well have those, too"
agreed the embryotic instructress,
but not until after we've had our
lesson"
What's a lesson?' inquired the
pupil
"It's-let's see. It's to teach you
your letters, SO you can read lovely
stories out of books"
Frances pondered this for a mo-
ment. But I'd rather have you read
them to me-" said said, after proper
reflection.
But you can't always have me to
do that, dear" said Mrs Richmond
firmly. She drew Frances into her lap
and opened the book with which she
had decided to begin the fray. "All
the little girls learn to read and
mother would be terribly ashamed II
her little girl didn't Now, look at
this funny letter with the two legs and
the piece across the middle like a
queer little ladder. What do you think
that letter is?"
Il never saw 1t BEFORE" said Fran
ces, so I guess l don't care about its
name"
We'll, that letter is named A." said
Mrs. Richmond Now, here's one
with, two funny little fat balloons
stuck on a stick The name of that
one is B."
rs it?" Frances inquired with per-
functory politness. 81 guess l don't
like to read very WE'LL" she explained
courteously, as she made a tentative
effort to get down from her mothers
lap.
Put you'll have to learn, dearie,'
said Mrs. Richmond patiently. Nov,
tell mother what this letter with the
two legs isl
Frances put fat forefinger on the
letter
Well call that b. she said sweet
ly. Now, can 1 go. muvver?"
firmly That's A. See how funny 1t
looks with the two slanting legs and
the little piece between them. Now,
what's its manner"
Frances heaved a deep sigh. Il
guess we'll call 1t B." she said, with
gentle firmness.
But It's A, precious" insisted her
mother.
rs it?" inquired Frances Il think
I'll call it B."
Now, Frances" said her mother
sternly, you know that letter is A,
and you must say it."
There was no reply. Frances was
observing a sparrow shaking itself on
the window ledge.
Frances" her mother said. tell
mother what that letter it."
"Oh, mother" Frances cried joyous
ly. did you see that sparrow picking
his tooth with its feather"
Mrs. Richmond set her small daugh-
ter down on the floor. Nov, Fran
ces," she said, tell me the name of
that letter or I'll put you to bed"
Frances looked up at the ceiling
| and crossed her fat hands on her lit
tie stomach. We'll call 1t B." she
said finally.
Half an hour later Mrs. Richmond
went into Frances little room. A
sweetIy smiling face looked up at her
from the bed.
Baby" she pleaded, please do as
mother wants you to. Mother hates
to punish her baby. Tell me the right
name of this letter"
She drew out the book and laid her
finger on the much discussed letter
There was breathless pause
Well, muvver," said a bored voice
deliberately, may it's an A for you
| but | guess I'll call 1t B."
81 think I'll have to send Frances to
school after ALL" admitted Mrs. Rich.
mond to Frances father that evening
after dinner I'm afraid my method
of imparting instruction is not sui.
HcycufIy modern +"