The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1912-10-19
q cream. Ma won't let US have

ID ice cream. Ma won't let US have
| H..
"Good thing she don't. They
| aren't fit stuff for anyone TO eat
eclared Red as he went back into
he sitting room with the light
hearted Bertha. while the boys ate
heir cakes, washed the dishes, added
mere buckwhcat TO the depleted jar
and set things to rights.
"We'ye got to keep him. He's too
coed to lose" said Bert soberly.
rs he coming again tomorrow
night, Bertha?" whispered Richard
frc.l his bed room as his sister came
u,- airs at late hour.
yes" she answered happily. 1T
was Just lovely Of you. boys. to think
Of the cakes. He's going to bring
rou each a present tomorrow"
"Itll be all right for him." prophe'
sled Bert. "You leave the feeding
part to u.s."
The next night the little brothers
again uuhered themselves into the
sitting room.
We've got some Adams and Ewes
on rafts." grinned Richard.
"Nell, you are the best chefs I
knov'." said Red approvingly, land
you bet you'll get tip" He handed
thea each an Indian bow and arrows.
The menu consisted of big plat
ter Of poachcd eggs on toast. 1t was
Richards duty to gather eggs and he
had hidden a dozen Of the days find.
The coffee Red pronounced to be a
dream.
"Are you coming tomorrow night"
asked Bert anxiously.
III your sister will let me-" laugh
ed Red.
The next night the young cooks in
vaded a pot of Boston baked beans
that was simmering on the stove. but
on the occasion of the next call from
their sisters beau. the boys were at
a loss for something to prepare.
"Talk about Old Mother Hubbard's
cupboard" said Bert dejectedly.
There Amt even pancake batter"
well, l just took q turn at the pro-
vidin' to-day" announced Richard. Il
split some wood for old man Lukes
and he paid me with two quarts OF
cider that's just on the turn. It's
hid out In the corn crib. And l was
down to take Mrs. Dunn her mail
and she told me to 60 to the dough.
nut jar and help myself. I got six"
"Bully for you. Rich. Well dip the
fried cakes in that dust sugar on the
top shelf"
They all grew hilarious together
over the cider. Bertha's color rose as
did Reds courage.
The next night a. sisters beau
came up the lane he was met BY
Bert. Say" said the boy doggedly.
before you come in there's some
thing l want to tell YOU"
"All right, my boy Fire away"
"You see there a'int anything to
eat tonight, and we've run out OF
coffee, and I thought It only fair to
tell you before you came in. SO you
could turn back II you wanted to. But
1t amt Bertha's fault. It's ma that's
stingy."
Red stared moment and then
burst into a hearty laugh.
See here, Bert. You didn't think I
came to your house to eat, did you? !
came because | love your sister"
"Oh, Geo." said the boy dancing
about excitedly.
"The first time set eyes on her I
said. There's the girl for me-. When
I called that first night she was so
quiet, I thought she didn't like me.
was clean discouraged till you boys
broke the ice with your stack Of
buckwheats.'
Does Bertha know"
"Well | reckon she does unless she's
a mighty poor guesser, but I am going
to ask her plumb out tonight, and l
hope I'll be too happy to eat"
Copyright. 1912. by Associated Literary
press)