The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1913-01-10
THAT ZERO LUNCHEON
BY CORNELIUS volcHr.


Wildly excited. her brown eyes 6
round as saucers. she bounded into tn
room
What. child Where When!" e,
claimed her mother. while her littl
brother stood by. breathless.
In school. Dorothy told on me
And It's not true didn't do it,"
20 what. dear? What did Doroth
tell"
She said | whispered And didn't
Hohes'ly, truly. mother, | didn't"
NO. she didn't" chimed in LITTLE
brother who knew nothing whatever
about it.
How did she happen to say you
did,. asked her mother.
i wouldn't let her play in the doll
mousse Yesterday. She wanted to be
the teacher and did. too. And then
to!d her It was my yard and my doll
mouse and she'd better 90 home. She
said she'd get even. and when Miss
Marion came back into the room this
morning and asked who whispered
while she was out Dorothy said | did.
And didn't. either And all the girls II
prove il, too Emily and Elsie and all
of en-"
wen, wouldn't get SO excited,
Ruts. deer You can tell Miss Marion
that You didn't whisper. can't you?"
int maybe she won't believe me.
And II have to stay after school. And.
on, nrm-nother. mother" Great sobs
shook her frame. III get zero in
department. and II you get three zeros
you can't ever. ever go into another
grade Hero she broke down com
plctcly Little brother began to cry
with her.
Cone, come, children. let's have
our lunch urged the mother in sooth
ing tones putting her arms about
Ruth and wiping away the tears
"afay' slic ~e'yu e,tAA We can
think III something to do about 1t
Il don't want any lunch" Ruth man.
aged 'e sav in a choking voice.
y neither accompanied little
brohr "ho then scamprrcd to the
Luncheon table as fast as his legs
would carry him. followed reluctantly
by Rush
TIL biz sister and the father came
In and took their places at the table.
Between sobs Ruth again related her
troubles
''l'll 20 and SEQ Miss Marion" an
nounccd the big sister.
"Or I'll write her a note." added the
mother
We'll let's eat" suggested the
father
Wen. let's eat" echoed the little
brother.
For few moments the mother was
kent busy serving. Ruth was begin
nls 10 forget her troubles in the sol
ace of introducing steak and potatoes
IT. her hungry, growing little body.
Wien the brother, with his mouth
Stuffed full, innoccntly remarked:
aaddy, don't you think these round
fotatocs that Eva makes look like
zeroes?"
Instantly Ruth stopped eating. Tears
began coursing down her checks. The
little brother continued: Tears look
IKE zcrOCs, too"
We cont talk about zcroes," 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
20 put some Of her fayorite vegetable
INTO her mouth she walled: Mother,
dear. don't you think peas look like
.9fces and spoons do a little bit, too?
d ovcrything's just full Of zeroes,"
The father burct out laughing.
&rll, Ruth he said. III we could
] - en- all in "A rev with ones In
III of them and 1ollnr signs wouldn't
have lots Of funo Come on. now.
ists forget all dsagreeable things,
cause they're bad for our digestion
5zHihers going to help you"
Say, dad" exclaimed the little
ifother, do you see those round
hings on the tablecloth-"
Hush, brother" commanded his
pother.
tut he wouldn't be hushcd. These
rand things on the tablccloth--"
I.uth's eyes began to fill.
They-they-look Just like little
i'y the time the meal was over the
aother had decided what to do. She !
would 60 to the school and give that
eacher piece Of her mind for ex.
ting little child over such trifle.
+ necessary. she would go to see the |
chool principal also. The father
'landly suggested that she might call |
n the police force or take the case to |
he supreme court.
She found the teacher a pleasant, |
right looking young woman, who was
nuch surprised to see her.
You came about Ruth?' she asked. |
] m glad to see you. She's the best |
haved child have in the room.
Tut she came home crying at noon |