The Hope pioneer. [volume] (Hope, N.D.) 1882-1964, 1912-01-11
Choice
Of Methods

NA0. DlA6SS AdO pd5oSu IAo oAlcA-
noon at her club, where she had lis
tened to a 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 a tale
OF Woe relating to the behavior of her
only ofspring-of his refusal to go to
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 from its sacred box and
mixing the contents together on the
parlor foor-of all these and sundry
other mfsdemeanors, each sufficient to
merit a physical reproof, she bit her
lip nervously 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 necessity. she led him
gently up to her room, asking not to
be disturbed by any n whatsoever.
Son." she said, sorrowfully. 1--WE
been told that you were very naughty
today"
DO | get licked?" asked son, irrel-
evantly.
You realize, don't you, that you
were naughty? ?" she repeated, ignoring
his question.
Then l don't get licked?" Son was
anxious to know.
Listen to mother, DEAR" Son
WINGED at the endearment. "You are
my only boy, and l 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 is
proud of her boy, but she wants him
to deserve her pride. You want moth
err to always be proud of you, don't
you?"
Say, you've got powder all over
n side of your nose," exclaimed the
object Of her pride.
She wiped her face quietly, then she
waited a 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 go to school
today, dear, you knew, didn't you, that
even If | didn't find 1t out, even If
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 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 it was wrong, too, to
IdhC V1 y . uOu6AuulS, ulOA Y 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 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 sagely. I've seen them doing
that most every day, but | told.
for | wanted something to hold over
her, when she started to tell on me.
Going to fire her"
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.
Nov, 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"
Jaw, son amt my narne," broke in
the boy, GROSSLY. AN you amt
'mother'-you're ma. An you're talk.
in like the teacher does, cause she
dasn't 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, If ever any
boy did," AS her husband entered the
room she added. to insure good meas.
ure. Hes ruined your fishing tackle
you'd better use your slipper on
him"