Highland recorder. (Monterey, Highland County, Va.) 1877-1972, 1913-04-18
FOUND HIS IDEAL
What Happened When Frances
Kennedy Went coasting With
the Little Folks.
BY M. DlBBELL.

Frances kennedy, Wndt - o'A
you up to now?"
"Why, Aunt Flossie, don't you re,
member my telling you this morning
that Elmer Bergen was going 10 tahe
his sister and me tobogganlng To-
night? You don't think | would wear
nv hair up so it would all come down
the minute we started to slide, did
your" The heavy braid fell below ner
waist and a fluffy wool cap was pun
ed we'll down over her ears. Her dress
reached her shoe tops, thus making d
charming school girl of the mature
young woman.
Her aunt regarded her -qu1zzicaliy
What a child you are, Frances
don't believe you ever will grow up
The idea of college graduate golne
to slide down country hill WIN q
small boy and his sister"
That is just where the fun comes
in-I am tired of the conventional way
Of doing things. Good bye-l am Ger
tain to have a jolly time" She thre"
her aunt kiss and danced from the
room singing Jingle Bells" at the top
Of her voice.
Bless the youngster. only nope
she keeps the child spirit all her
life," thought Aunt Flossie as she
watched her niece join Elmer and MS
sister at the gate and then pass from
sight down the moonlit road.
1t cid not take the trio long te
each the steep hill down which they
we're to slide, and when the girls
were safely tucked in front of hin
Timer said warningly before starting
he tcboggan: You must be prepar
I'd for a surprise at the foot OF the
hill, Frances shan't tell you what IL
s." Then they were off, going faster
and faster over the crusted snow
Frances enjoyed the slide immensely
mil - surprise came. This proved
O be the shooting out into the air OF
he toboeean over the top Of a high
tone wall. and alighting of the same
n the field several feet lower dowr
With such a hearty thud that thu
breath was about knocked out of all
-hree passengers.
Elmer did not wait for the ven
geance he knew awaited him, but as
soon as he could regain his breath
started away at a run. calling back
With a shout of laughter How did
YOU like my surprise, Frances-wasn'
it fine?"
Frances scrambled to her feet and
started in hot pursuit, her long braid
streaming behind "Just wait till ]
catch you you little wretch, and see
how you like having your ears well
boxed" she threatened breathlessly.
Eta Bergen remained in possession
Of the toboggan, laughing In huge de-
light at the exciting chase, until a
warning shout sounded at the stone
wall. She sprang aside just as an
other toboggan pumped down beside
her brothers.
"Oh, Roy" she cried. as she recog
nized the new conner You almost
landed on top of me. I was too excit
ed to think of moving, it is such fun
In few words she explained the cause
of the chase going on before them.
Big Roy Singleton watched Frances
with admiration. my, but she's a
inc runner" he said shortly, Elmer
has met his match this time-look al
he young scamp doubling back here
for protection"
Save me. Roy" gasped Elmer. as
he neared them. Don't let me be
scalped before your face and eyes,
and he darted behind his friend to
drop on the snow, after his run.
Frances was too taken with hel
pursuit to notice anything but her pro
posed victim, and as she was almost
within reaching distance when he
swerved around Roy she ran head
long into that young mans open arms
MY. but you are wonder!" he
cried as he held her tight II would
never have believed that mite Of a
girl could give Elmer such hard run
for his life if l hadn't seen 1t for my
self"
Frances struggled to free herself
II am not mite Of girl she far
ed out wrathfully, land how dare you
hold mel"
Roy released her Instantly looking
decidedly sheepish. His first glance
showed him that his escaped captive
was not the child for which he had
taken her.
81 beg your pardon" he began
stumblingly.
Frances interrupted with stamp
of her foot. lot, bother. forgot my
hair-you are not to blame. Come
Elmer, is there any way out OF this
horrid feld?" She turned her back on
Roy and marched toward the wall
with Eta and Elmer and the toboggan
trailing meekly in her wake.
I'VE have to go up to the far end
to get out" Elmer informed her. and
soon the three were climbing up the
long hill down which they had come
1t was Elmer who broke a glum ST.
lence. you aren't mad are you
Frances?" he asked eontritely You
know l only meant it for a joke, and
1t couldn't hurt you"
Yes | am angry. Elmer-but not
with you 1t is I who should have
my ears boxed for acting like a
goose
What rot" was Elmer's answer
You are the only nice grown-up girl
| ever knew. Most Of them are SO
stupid and slow they make me tired y
Frances had to smile at this plain