The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1913-03-16
Johnny" called his mother.

Johnny" called his mother.
''Y es'm," answered Johnny.
II want you to go on an errand
over TO Mrs Lees"
rs it the Mrs. Lee that's just moved
here ." asked Johnny.
Yes"
THE one where the great big grape
vine isl"
yes"
"Ill 60"
He took the little basket she gave
him, listened to what he was to say
10 Mrs. Lee. and set out on his walk
feeling very much interested in the
big grapevine.
1t grew all over the trellis of long
piazza which reached along the front
and around the side of the house
Johnny often passed it, and had
watched 1t ever since the blossoms had
come out in the spring, followed by
the green grapes,
When they began to turn purple
Johnny looked longingly at them,
wishing he could have some, and won
dering why somebody did not come to
live in such a delightful place
They came at last. Johnny was
glad to see people about the house
and still more glad to learn that his
mother knew them. Perhaps he
haps they would give him a bunch of
those beautiful grapes
IF somebody should be sitting on
the porch" said Johnny to himself
as he walked, II should go right up
the steps and make a bow and say,
If You please, ma am, my mamma
sent these flowers with her con-
tentments-o. compe rnents, or some
thing. and she hopes you are very
Ia, =.
Tell your mother I'm very much
obliged to her. And wouldn't you
like bunch of grapes? And III
make another bow. and say. I'm not
particular. thank you. ma am -
Johnny just here set down his has
ket for a few moments to think
whether it would be too much of a
risk to say he was not particular,
What If the lady should think he
meant it?
"Pshaw" he concluded. "They al
ways know YOU mean that just for po-
likeness. She'd smile iust as mamma
does, and give me jolly big bunch"
Having settled this, Johnny picked
up his basket and walked briskly on.
But no one was on the porch as he
drew near. He stepped in under the
vine, rang at the door and turned
while he waited to look at the grapes.
If they had looked fine from the
street, how much more SO here
There's bushels and bushels of
EN-" exclaimed Johnny. gazing up
and down and all along the piazza.
No one came to the door, SO he
rang again. Then he walked around
10 the back door and knocked. No
body was there. so he walked back to
the piazza, and gave another ring.
"Nobody's at home" he said.
1t was a disappointment. No one
to say, wouldn't you like a bunch
of grapes?" Johnny was hot and
thirsty after his walk, and he longed
for some.
II don't believe 1t would be any
harm for me to take just one bunch"
said Johnny II guess the lady would
have given me two or three punches.
If she was here. she'd be real sorry
for me to go away without some.
when I'm so thirsty. It's just the
same as taking a drink of water,
Everybody has right to a drink of
water"
The bright eyes looked Keeniy
about to make sure that no one could
be looking, as the small hands moved
near the stem of the large bunch OF
grapes.
who's that? who's that? Who's
that2'
Johnny jumped as IT he had been
shot as the words were jerked out in
very harsh voice. II sounded like
the voice OF an old man. Johnny
thought
"Qut. quit, quit, quit, quit" said
the voice. I'm coming! I'm coming"
LIANT doing anything" said
Johnny in a trembling voice, as he
hurried away from the grapes.
"Go way. go way, go way came
next.
I'm going"
Johnny picked up his basket. and
ran from the house as fast as he
could
Mamma was sorry when she learn
ed that he could not find Mrs Lee
But am going to see her in a
few days, and you shall go with me-"
she said.
Johnny did not say anything about
the grapes or the person who had or
dered him away from the house But
10 wanted never to 60 there again.