The Lamar register., 1912-02-21
Her Choice
of Methods

Mrs. Briggs had passed the after
noon at her club. where she had lis
tened to dear young girl. direct from
the chautauqua platform. deliver an
inspiring. uplifting discourse on the
benefits OF moral suasion.
Therefore. when she arrived home
and was met at the door with tale
OF woe relating to the behavior OF her
only offspring-of his refusal to go 20
school. his stealing all the doughnuts
the cook had hidden for supper. his
unforgivable rudeness to his maiden
aunt and his taking his fathers fish
ing tackle fIom its sacred box and
mixing the contents together on the
parlor fioor--of all these and sundry
other misdemeanors each sufficient to
merit a physical reproof. she bit her
lip nervcusly and asked where she
might find her son.
Having found him In the laundry.
where he was prepared to spend the
night In case OF nece ssity. she led him
gently up to her room. asking not to
be disturbed by any one whatsoever
Son" she said. sorrowfuliy. 1--WE
been tqld that you were very naughty
today
DO | get licked?" asked son. irrei-
evantiy
You realize don't you. that you
were naughty" she repeated. ignoring
his question.
Then don't get licked7- Son Was
anxious to know
Listen to mother. dear. Son
WINGED at the endearment You are
my only boy. and feel so proud to
own you But" She drew him clos
er to her and endeavored to lift him to
her lap
Gee. I amt a baby" he objected.
strenuously. as he wriggIed away
Mrs. Briggs breathed a deep sigh.
Then she began again: Mother II
proud of her boy. but she wants him
to deserve her pride You want moth
er to always be proud of you. don't
your"
Say. you've got powder all over
one side of your nose" exclaimed the
object Of her pride
She wiped her face quietly. then she
waited moment to collect her wits
Her son didn't seem to respond to
mother love so she thought that per
haps she would better try something
else.
When you refused to 20 TO school
today. dear you knew. didn't you. shat
even II | didn't find II out. even II
your teacher didn't send a note home
to me. your conscience disapproved OF
your actions? Your conscience was
sorry that you weren't Trustworthy
Teacher wouldn't have sent a note
home. because they haven't got us
fixed In our own rooms yet. and they
don't know where we belong" son oh
jected.
But never mind what your teacher
does. son Think OF your own better
nature. to which you have done an in
Justice"
Son made no comment Encour-
aged. his mother proceeded.
You knew II was wrong. too. to
take Mary's doughnuts. didn't you?
And you are sorry. aren't you. that
you offended your Aunt Alice?"
Still no comment
Son. are you listening? Son!"
He turned toward her. Huh7" he
asked. Then his eyes were again d.
rected out OF the window. She fol
lowed his gaze. and saw behind the
lilac bushes where they felt that they
were free from public eyes. Mary and
her husband-to-be bidding each other
a tender farewell Son saw his moth
er's eyes taking In the scene.
Say" he remarked. What do you
know about that" He nodded his
head saeeIy. i've seen them doing
that most every day. but ] never told.
for wanted something to hold over
her. when she started to tell on me.
Going to fire her."
Mrs. Briggs exclaimed gently that
IL was perfectly proper for Mary to