The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1912-05-30
Under
Discipline

when he returned home early from tn,
office. When he spoke OF il she ad
mitted that she was pretty we'll worl
out. and when he discovered that sh,
had dropped a tear on the lapel OF hi!
coat he insisted that she should take
an afternoon off.
You're worn out taking care Of
that youngster." he said. Now, you
just trot along to the matinee or any
where you feel like going. and Ill at
tend to the offspring. He needs a
little masculine discipline, anyway"
Mrs. Hammond demurred on the
ground that she didn't want Hammond
to devote all his Saturday afternoon
to taking care OF the baby, but Ham
mond was determined and eventually
had his way.
You're the dearest thing that ever
lived" murmured his wife, as she
kissed him goodby. But I'm afraid
you'll be sorry. Baby is $3.50 eirerves.
cent"
POOH" scofred Hammond. Then
he smiled In superior way.
When he returned to the living room
Hammond found his son, who was
seated on small stool and looking
quite impossibly virtuous, gravely con.
templating the landscape from the
front window. The situation appeared
easy. so Hammond sat down on the
chair nearest the infant and pulled
out his Oldest and smelliest pipe.
What do you say to having a
smoke, old man." he inquired, jocu.
larly.
"Ough!" replied the baby. approx.
ingly. Then he squirmed OF his stool
and went and stood by his fathers
side.
Rather a good stunt, having the
feminine element take itself of occa.
s!onally. hey" Hammond inquired
pleasantly, as he pushed the tobacco
down into his pipe with his little FIN
ger. lie laid the pipe on the arm OF
the chair. rose and crossed over to
the mantel to get a match
"Humph!" said the baby in a NUT.
fed tone.
Hammond turned in time to see him
examining as much of the pines stem
down his throat as he could convent.
emily insert there. However, as his
father leaped toward him, he gave
chuckle. removed the pipe from his
mouth. dextcrously shook the con.
tents out OF his own clean little era.
mum. then threw the pipe upon the
hearth. The sound made by the am.
Der mouthpiece as 1t broke against
the tiles caused baby to become fairly
delirious with Joy. Squealing like an
ecstatic pig. he ran from the living
room back into the dining room.
Hammond set his lips firmly. Now"
he said to himself. us the time to
teach him the rudiments OF being a
law. abiding citizen"
He followed the baby into the din.
ing room. where he was sitting under
the table. Hammond stopped down
and spoke sternly to the chuckling
miscreant.
Come out, son." he said.
Son merely hitched himself farther
over toward the other side Of the tn.
BILE, shaking his head delightedly. He
then ran around the room three times.
dexterously avoiding the fathers out.
stretched hand every time he passed.
then suddenly stopped and threw his
arms around his fathers knees, shout.
ing joyously.
Hammond disengaged himself and
taking his son by the hand led him
back into the living room.
"Pick up that pipe. young man"
said Hammond, sternly. The baby
blinked at him and the corners of his
lips curled upward. Il mean IT," In
sisted Hammond. The baby respond
ed with his familiar chuckle and
capered cheerfully.
Very WELL" said Hammond in q
tone OF finality. lie led his son gu,
into the hall. snow. will you 60 bach
and pick up the pipe?" he inquired
"or will you 60 into the lavatory anc
stay for the rest Of the afternoon?'
For answer the baby dived into tn,
lavatory and plunged headlong into I
pile of pleasantly plump pillows tina
had been left on the floor TO get tn,
sun. Finding this quite soul satisfy
ing, he presently righted himself AM
beamed upon his progenitor.
You'll stay here" asked Hammond
Very we'll. You can come out wheel
you're ready to mind daddy"
The baby merely projected himseI
once more into the mass of feathers
Thereuron Hammond shut the doc
and went back to the living room
Three-quarters OF an hour later he re
turned and led his son forth to tn,
scene of battle.
Now" he said. assuming a frcwl
that should have sent terror to the in
fantile heart. pick up that pipe"
The small boy looked up into hi
fathers face and the smile faded fror
his own plump countenance. II
dropped his fathers hand and rc
down slowly upon his knees. Ono
more he glanced up at his father. Sc,
Ing no sign OF relenting. he put GU
his hand slowly. picked up the pip,
struggled to his feet and. with r,
markahly good aim olaptad IN, ~,