The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1914-01-18

1t was not the proVeEDiak straw
that put the camel out % commission
that bothered Percy Slayton. NO, II
was one similar to that related to the
drowning man.
Mamma Slayton called them ex-
cuses. Percy named them reasons
They were at Silverwater spending
the vacation, and had come to the
inevitable roundup OF delightful days
The springboards, the swimming ex-
ercises, the boat rides, picnic DINNERS,
shady hooks, fishing and dozen
other "grandest things must be given
UP tomorrow. Lfe's very elixer
would be bottled up for another long
hard school year in spite OF every
thing. Yes; next Monday school
would begin--the gray-haired janitor
was even then finishing up the cien-
ing of the seventh WARD schooi,
Percy was sure--and. oh. dear. As
he sat on a log fishing. this littie
martyr to education endeavored to
seize the elusive last straw. Sucn
straws as "those awful hedaches 700
hot even to study the norma
tables" made mamma smile Ana
papa only only said "Shoo. as they
looked merrily out to sea.
This last straw, however the WhoIe
family seemed to view seriously. He
It'd not feel wtll'. his foot panied
-taa-and- nobody would go 10
school barefooted but the Bartos and
Sigsbys
And before his foot grew better
the quarter would be well started
Oh, JOY, he would have to walt untl,
the second BY that time 1t would
be decent school weather
or course he didn't feel well. He
stopped fishing and lmped back to
the cottage where mamma was pick
ing the grapes for the homegoing..
well. Percival." she said. soherly.
papa and I have concluded to let
YOU and Margaret stay another week
here with Aunt Ella"
Margaret was Percy's sister. mite
OF girl with big name, but Mmma
Slayton never abbreviated names for
ANYBODY.
and miss SCHOOL," Margaret's
mouth put one in mind Of quarter
moon. points down.
Why, mamma. We VIII miss schooI
sure as anything" Percy's mouth as
sumed the shape OF a quarter moon,
points up. But Mamma was buckling
a refractory strap. and did not answer.
"Goody-" whispered Percy to him
self, slipping out to the pier to see
the steamer Helene" come in crowded
full of brown-armed, happy-faced
children.
Would papa and mamma feel all
right TO go OH anu icdNe
and him for a whole week? Wouldn't
they get lonesome for their little boy
and girl?
The last straw pulled lamely for
minute, but Percy held on. because
he was ashamed to let 60
The next day after dinner papa and
mamma Slayton bundled their be-
longings into the car--"all but two
chicks" papa said--and with quick
Hooodhva dears' were Off
Come" said aunt!e, cheerfully.
Tets go In and do the dishes: then
Wen have a row to Sunny Nook.
We're to have a long, beautiful week;
let us make the most of It,"
isn't this delightful and dreamy"
exclaimed Aunt Ella looking expect
antIy at her newphew at the end OF
the boat. But Percy's head ached, so
he only perked the cushion a bit and
answered disgustedly. mo; It's the
dirtiest hole a-go!ng. See the black
weeds and the Shiny mud-turtles over
there"
After that Aunt Ella rowed steadily
humming a church tune; but her eyes
! twirkled like stars.
/ The next day Percy's headache was
verse end The d tor came over from
| his cottage to look at his tongue for
auntie put her nephew to bed and
said he was "sfck."
| ooh, he's mite bilious" said the
| doctor, but he Is worrying. He's as
nervous all his Grandpa Slayton."
| Aunt Ella shifted UP her nose at the
4, worry" Nervous. and here at Still
water? "Fudge,"
| But the bitter tablet that had to lie
on Percy's tongue until it dissolved
did not put him in mind of fudge"
so he said And they all laughed un-
| III the boy turned his face away to
| hide his tears.
| The next day he was able to go