The Ordway new era., 1912-01-19
Choice
Of Methods

Mrs. Briggs had passed tho aftes-
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 homo
and was met at the door with . tale
OF woe relating to the behavior OF her
only offspring-of his refusal TO 90 to
school. his stealing all tho doughnuts
the cook had hidden for supper. bis
unforgivable rudeness to his maiden
aunt and his taking his fathers nsh-
inG tackle from its sacred box and
mixing the contents together on the
parlor door-of all these and sundry
other misdemeanors. each sufncient TO
merit a physical reproof. she bit her
lip nervously and asked where she
might md her son.
Having found him in the laundry.
where he was prepared to spend the
night in case Of necessity. she led him
gently up to her room. asking not to
be disturbed by any one whatsoever.
Son." she said. sorrowfully. "I've
been told that you were very naughty
today"
DO l get licked?" asked son. irrel.
evantly.
You realize. don't you. that you
were naughty?" she repeated. ignoring
his question.
Then don't get ucked?" Son was
anxious to know.
Listen to mother. DEAR" Son
WINGED at the endearment. you are
my only boy. and I feel SO proud to
own you But" She drew him clos.
er to her and endeavored to lift him to
her lap.
Gee. | amt a baby" he objected.
strenuously. as he wriggled away.
Mrs. Briggs breathed a deep sigh.
Then she began again: Mother 10
proud Of her boy. but she wants him
to deserve her pride. You want moth.
cr 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 a moment to collect her wits.
mother love. so she thought that per
haps she would better try something
else.
When you refused to go to school
today. dear. you knew. didn't you. that
even II didn't find 1t 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 note
home. because they haven't got us
fixed in our own rooms yet. and they
don't know where we belong" son OBJ
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 1t 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? SOM"
He turned toward her. Huh?" he
asked. Then his eyes we're again d.
rected out Of the window. She fol
owed 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
n 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 sngely. i've seen them doing
that most every day. but I never told
for wanted something to hold over
her. when she started to tell on me.
Going to fire herr"
Mrs. Briggs exclaimed gently that
1t was perfectly proper for Mary to
kiss her future husband. Then she
drew the shade. that no further inter
ference from outside should prolong
their conference.
Now. son." she began again. as she
drew him firmly toward her. mother
wants you to say that you are very
sorry and to promise her"
"Aw. son amt my name." broke in
the boy. GROSSLY. AN you ain't
'mother'-you're ma An you're talk
In like the teacher does. cause she
dasnt lick us. What's the matter?"
George" called Mrs. Briggs to her
husband whose steps she heard de-
scending the stairs Come here and
deal with this impudent young one.
He needs a good whipping. II ever any
boy did" AS her husband entered the