The Southern herald., 1912-11-01

tie bay window she could catch oeca-
sional glimpses Of a painter in the big
yard next door, who was moving
along slowly from stone to stone
painting the foundation Of the house
Of their rich neighbor a subdued sort
Of red color.
Mrs. Sparks was dreamily wonder
ing why the foundation which had
been pretty in its natural hue, need
ed painting at all, when Tommy
Sparks toddled in through the door
way leading from the kitchen. Tommy
had come up from the yard the back
way. Tommy had some streaks OF
red running diagonally down from
each corner OF his mouth, and his
linen dress was spotted in places with
the same color.
Tommy Sparks" demanded his
mother, what on earth have you been
eating?"
Tommy climbed into chair, swung
his legs in his infantile way and said;
Mamma, painters pies good"
Mrs. Sparks gave one hurried. hor-
rihed glance through the window at
the red paint which was being daubed
on the neighbor's house, and then
turned her anguished countenance
toward Tommy.
Tommy" her voice was a pleading
wall, did you eat the painters stuff
out Of the pail?"
Yes, out of the pail; painters pies
good" answered Tommy.
Mrs. Sparks shrieked. The maid
rushed in from the kitchen. Get the
doctor, the druggist and Mr.. Sparks, "
screamed Mrs. Sparks. "Tommy's eat
en- paint and sugar of lead and every
thing. Go, girl, 60" Susan rushed
through the door, sent the corner
druggist flying up to the house, or
dered the clerk to telephone Mr..
Sparks and then sat out on chase for
the doctor.
In the meantime Mrs. Sparks was
moaning over Tommy, who was TAX
ing the unusual commotion which he
had created as blandly as would most
four-year-olders. He insisted on occa-
Sionally reiterating that painters pie
was good" and at each reiteration the
mothers heart sank.
The druggist rushed in. Tommy
has eaten paint. Heaven alone knows
how much. 1t must have had sugar
Of lead in 1t, and that's sweet and
that's why ba ate It,"
The druggist grabbed up Tommy,
half threw him onto a lounge, and
then turned to the mother. Control
yourself, Mrs. Sparks; life depends on
instant action. Get me salt, potash
and softsoap," Luckily Mrs. Sparks
had all three articles in the house.
and she rushed off to the kitchen and
brought them back. Tommy as yet
showed no sign of collapse The drug
gist put two tablespoonfuls Of salt in
half a glass Of lukewarm water and
forced Tommy to swallow It sputter-
ing, This dose was followed up with
a heroic one of potash, and then
Tommy was made to swallow large
coffee cupful of softsoap. With the
soap down and Tommy's eyes hang
ing out of his head and well down
over his cheek bones, the druggist
turned the youngster over on his
stomach on the couch and shook him.
The only thing about Tommy that
didn't rebel at this treatment was his
stomach. That held onto Its unaccus,
toned load with pertinacity worthy
Of something better. At this juncture
the painter appeared on the scene. He
admitted to the fearful Mrs. Sparks
that he had left his paint pot on the
ground where Tommy could have
found 1t for about five minutes while
ne went round the corner to get a
glass Of beer.
At this instant the doctor fell in
at the door on the heels Of the maid
He approved the druggists treatment
and added to 1t large dose of ipecac
Under this last added horror Tommv,s
stomach and spirit both gsve wav
Like the younger hopeful iu Helena
Babies, he played whale, and while he
didn't cast up Jonah he cast up pretty
near everything else.
While Tommy was in the throes NJ
Sparks arrived, ashy-lipped and shal
en-. The doctor turned to him q
trust Mr.. Sparks, that If we can keer
him at 1t for ten minutes more Nc
may save his life" Tommy kent ~ n
The painter, who had retreated he
fore the stricken countenance of Mrs
Sparks, now reappeared. He was car
rying in one hand dinner pail. which
he held upside down to show those
assembled that it was absoluteI,
empty.
When I came to work this morn
ing the painter said, Il had three
pieces Of berry pie in this pail.
ain't get any now, a fact just dis
covered ! guess maybe the young
et1e kni MS whore 1t went"