The Logan Republican. [volume] (Logan, Utah) 1902-1924, 1913-03-06
THAT ZERO LUNCHEON
BY CORNELIUS voioHT.

a pened! This came from Ruth, Q
= wildly excited. her brown eyes
, round as saucers. she bounded into Il
room.
What, chfid' Where? When!" Q
claimed her mother, while her lit
brother stood by, breathless.
Tn school! Dorothy told on me
And it's not true! didn't do IT,"
DO what. dear7 What did Doroth
tell?"
She said l whispered. And didn't
Honestly, truly, mother. didn't"
NO, she didn't" chimed In littl
brother, who knew nothing whateve
about It.
How did she happen to say 20
did" asked her mother.
Il wouldn't let her play in the dol
house yesterday. She wanted to b
the teacher and did, too. And then
told her It was my yard and my doll
house and she'd better 20 home. sh
said she'd get even, and when Mis-
Marion came back into the room thi
morning and asked who whispered
while she was out Dorothy said did
And I didn't, either. And all the girls
prove It. too-Emily and Elsie and al
of en-"
Well. wouldn't get so excited
Ruth, dear. You can tell Miss Marion
that you didn't whisper, can't your"
But maybe she won't believe me
And I'll have to stay after school. And
oh, m-m-mother, mother." Great sobs
shook her frame III get zero In
department. and II you get three zeros
you cant ever. ever go into another
grade" Here she broke down com.
pletely. Little brother began to cry
with her.
Come come. children. let's have
our lunch" urged the mother In sooth.
ing tones, putting her arms about
Ruth and wiping away the tears,
Maybe while we're eating we can
think Of something to do about It,"
Il don't want any lunch" Ruth man.
aged to say in a choking voice.
me neither" accompanied little
brother, who then scampered to the
luncheon table as fast as his legs
would carry him, followed reluctantly
by Ruth
The big sister and the father came
in and took their places at the table,
Between sobs Ruth again related her
troubles.
IN go and see Miss Marion" an.
nounced the big sister.
"Or I'll write her note" added the
mother.
Well let's eat" suggested the
father
Well, let's eat" echoed the little
brother.
For few moments the mother was
kept busy serving. Ruth was begin
ming to forget her troubles In the sol.
ace of introducing steak and potatoes
into her hungry, growing little body,
when the brother. with his mouth
stuffed full, innocently remarked:
Daddy, don't you think these round
potatoes that Eva makes look like
Zeroes?"
Instantly Ruth stopped eating. Tears
began coursing down her cheeks. The
little brother continued: Tears look
like zeroes, too"
I'VE cont talk about zeroes," com.
handed the mother. Come. Ruth,
dear, finish your lunch"
Wiping the tears on her bib, Ruth
began again to eat AS she was about
to put some Of her favorite vegetable
Into her mouth she walled: Mother,
dear, don't you think peas look like
zeroes and spoons do little bit, too?
oh. everything's just full OF zeroes!"
The father burst out laughing.
We'll. Ruth" he said. IL we could
have EN- all in row with ones In
front of them and dollar signs wouldn't
we have lots Of fun? Come on, now.
Let's forget all disagreeable things,
because they're bad for our digestion.
Mothers going to help you"
Say. dad" exclaimed the little
brother. do you see those round
things on the tablecloth-"
Hush. brother" commanded his
mother.
But he wouldn't be hushed. These
round things on the tablecloth-"
Ruth's eyes began to fill.
"They-they-look Just like little
By the time the meal was over the
mother had decided what to do. She
would go to the school and give that
teacher a piece Of her mind for ex'
citing a little child over such a trife
II necessary. she would go to see the
school principal also. The father
blandly suggested that she might call
In the police force or take the case to
the supreme court.
She found the teacher a pleasant
bright looking young woman, who was
much surprised to see her
you came about Ruth" she asked
I'm glad to see you. She's the best
behaved child have In the room.
But she came home crying at noon
today She said she was going to be
punished because Dorothy said she
whispered"
why, didn't pay any attention tc
that, for I knew II wasn't true" an
swered Miss Marion Chicago DAILY