The Washington times., 1914-07-07
TIMES BEDTIME STORY
TOM TABBY MISSES SOMETHING.
By GARDNER MACK.
By FLORENCE E. YODER

HERE was one thing that Tom
Tabby thought he coTi do
II better than any Of .he other
kitty children and puppy girls
and boys in TaGbyIand. He thought
that he was a very good speIler. To
tell the truth he was a gcci one.
But how, you will ask, does he come
10 have that Ounce cap on his head?
1t vas this way.
During the long summer days the
Tahbyland girls ard boys usei to
gather at the home of Grandmother
Tabby, and have spelling matches.
Tom almost always came out ahead,
and he was very proud of the fact.
Miss Flax, the young lady doll who
lived with Grandmother Tabhy used
20 give out the words, ther after
the spelling match was all over,
Granny would serve good things TO
eat
You had better stay in tonight
and study your spelling" said Mrs.
Tabby to Tommy one night. THE
spelling match is tomorrow, and if
you want to keep at the head you
will have to study. Tottle Il almost
Up to you
oh. but l know all Of the words"
boasted Tom. I'm going ouI 10
play this evening. If l have to stay
in and study all of the tule there
is no fun. He got up from the
supper table and went out at once.
with a small bag in his pocket
Mrs. Tabby sighed and took up her
sewing and while Tessie and Tottie
the two little girls did the work
up. she heard their spelling.
Now Tom did not worry about any
one but Roly. a little puppy boy
w hFa n lIWNFs. e1-s,
him at every chance. Down the
road and to the brook went Tom.
just as II he had something very
important on hand He did in fact
All along IN the bushes by the brook
were the most beautiful pinch bugs
in the world. They had long big
jaws. and Tommy patiently hunted
about until he had caught six Then
he m'led to himsclf and went home.
with the poor bugs. pinching and
fighting one another, in his pocket
The next day he was up bright
and early. put on his clean trousers
and shirt, washed his face, and was
ready before any of the rest. Be
fore they started he spoke to Tot
tie. You had better just let me see
those spelling words for a minute"
he said carelessly. "Oh Tommy,
I'rn so glad" replied his little sister.
They are very hard words, and I
krow that you do not know them"
Tom shifted. but as they walked
down the road he was very silent
one glance at the book had told
him the truth. The words were
much too hard for him to know. and
Re remembered that Roly had stayed
at home all evening the night be-
fore to study
Tessie looked at him out of the
corner of her eye. You're caught
this time. Tommy she giggled. but.
to her surprise. Tom only laughed
'''m rot worr ed. he said. He
stopped and picked up a stone and
C...," rt ar into the roadside. That
was just TO show that he did not
care. THE only person : care about
getting ahead of me is Roly. and IL
| am not at the head. NO ONE
WILL BE HEAD" Then naughty
Tommy gave a broad grin. Tottie
shook her head and said. Let him
alone" Il believe he wants TO be
Ounce" said Bunkie. looking at him
knowingly. Tom just walked on.
but in his heart he was planning
something.
Inside the big parlor at Grand
mother Tabby's all the young people
Of Tabbyland had gathered. Rolv
was there looking very confident.
and when the spelling began Tottie
felt very sorry Tor Tommy. For ne
missed every single time, and it
was not long before Miss Flax
grabbed him by the collar. put the
Ounce cap on his head and set him
In a corner.
Tommy did not seem to care. and,
In fact, it was just what he wanted.
Soon no one paid any attention to
him. and that was Just as he had
planned. too. Roly spelled beauti-
fully. and stayed at the top all of