The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1913-12-13
Did Wei for . Time.

Did Well for n Time.
The first day went pretty well. the
next. and the next, though the spirit Of
mischief and its COMPREHENSIVE, mis-
hap, were continually grinning over his
shoulder and trying to urge him on. On
the fourth day he fell from grace. for
he forgot all about the watch and chain
and rushed into the house with his feet
simply covered with midland that was
one of the dreadful 'Rustn'ts."
But the grown-ups decided that that
lapse was not too bad to be overlooked
and he was given another chance For
three days more there was nothing seri-
Gus to record against him: and then his
troubles began 1t seemed as IL the
whole boy-world was topsy-turvy. for
everything he touched went wrong. He
tumbled into mischief and he tumbled
out again, and the marks against him
were growing bigger and blacker every
day.
And Christmas was just three days
away!
But the big folk never once mentioned
his watch and chain, and the sorry little
boy could only guess and doubt, and
guess and doubt again.
1t was the day before, and with great
mIsgivings in his heart the little fellow
sadly pondered on his chances for that
watch and chain. He almost made up
his mind to stay in the house and keep
away from temptation. But the sun was
shining in the beautiful outside. and he
could see some of the other boys romping
about; so the little chap. told to be good
for three whole weeks, picked up his hat
and scampered away.
His Undoing.
And that was his undoing. The boys
were playing around a barbed-wire fence,
where they had no business to play. for
they had been repeatedly told to keep
away. But the little bungler was in the
thickest of the fray whenever he was in
at all, and when someone suggested that
he try to climb over he never waited
minute, never thought of Christmas or
Of the prize that might. Just might, be
awaiting. He boldly started overland
then he heard a tear. OF course the
boys began 10 laugh, and that made him
pretty mad, so he tried to show them
that he didn't care. On he went-and
then he heard another ominous' sound,
whose meaning he knew all too well.
He took OF his coat and he looked at
his trousees-there were only four big
rents and couple Of little tears. Alas
for the watch and chain, and alas and
alas for his Christmas! He might Just
as well, he sadly communed with HIM
self, go horne and go to bed. or go home
and die, which was very much the same.
For what was the use of living when one
was a little boy who had to earn his
Christmas by being good forever and
forever7 He just wished he was an
angel, anyhow.
Well. the family got together, and they
looked very stern. No watch and chain
for him, that was quite evident. for he
had been a bad, bad boy. So the watch
and chain must go over for another long
year-that was the family verdict, and
that was the price he must pay.
Grandmether's Plea.
But there was a grandmother in the
circle. and in her gentle grandmother
way she said:
Now, suppose everyone of us had TO
be perfectly good in the grown-up way
for three whole weeks, how many Christ
mas presents would we earn? No inn
patience, no cross. sharp words. no mis-
takes, no follies. no accidents, everything
as II ought to be-think of It once7"
They looked sort of sheepish, as they
Their many falls from
grown-up grace, and they looked more
sheepish yet when the acknowledgements
mildly quoted from James Whitcomb
Riley
"The coolest mems they isn't good
As baddest little childs-"
After the fashion of grown-ups. who
seldom admit they are bad" they only
nodded their heads in approval-but the
small boy got his watch and chain.
And the grown-ups may interpret the
story In any way they like.