Evening star., 1914-03-08
THE DAILY STORY.
BOARDING TOM.
Copyright. 1914, by W. Werner,

Mrs. Hickey took Tom to board under
protest, as 1t were She had raised her
own family. consisting Of five boys and
girl. and two children for her sister. 1t
really seemed she had done her share
for the human race. But. left alone with
the slimmest Of incomes. the sum offered
for Tom seemed to her like opulence.
However. she debated long before she
decided to do it. And then. though the
money was sorely needed. It was not the
money that decided her.
I'D feel so safe to leave Tom with
you,' pleaded Toms mother. Il know
Just how kind you are to children. And
l love the old place. don't believe can
go. whatever the doctor says, ana iea'e
him to strangers. r,,
"Well." temporized Mrs. Hickey. III
let you know. my dear
And Toms mother was forced to De
content with that But, once she was
gone, Mrs. Hickey ran next door TO talh
II over with her neighhor. ..
Mrs Slavcn saw her coming and ran
to meet her. did you take him? she
asked.
Hickey But l don't see what else
can do. That's q warning to you never
to take boarders. If you treat them hall
way we'll they bring the next generation
to you to raise. -
Il dare say he wouldn't be much tron-
hle," suggested Mrs. Slaven. to whom the
diminutiye income WAS no secret "A
child OF four isn't like a baby. They're
big enough to halfway fend for them
selves"
yes. And he's a pretty little fellow.
r suppose I ought to do 1t, both to oblige
Isabel and because ! need the money:
She must go away. the doctor says ana
l know just how she feels about leaving
.;t1, o1 CIV "A
sweet girl. and / can't bear to do any
thing against her getting we'll. reinem-
Der She was one of my favorite boarders-
easy to please and always giving a WORD
of praise. If the child looked like her l
wouldn't be afraid to take him."
Very likely, though, he is Ike her IN
disposition said Mrs, Slaven.
well. perhaps" obviously observed
Mrs. Hickey. And l know l ought TO
take him, and I guess 1 will"
SO the fate Of Tom was decided for the
time being.
His mother was all delight. A faint
rose pink crcpt into the pallor OF her
cheek II believe I'll get we'll in no
time now, She said. "I can't tell you
how worried I've been. Tom couldn't be
left with just anybody, you know. with
his temperament
Land o mercy" said Mrs. Hickey. rs
he afflicted with that?
His mother laughed. You speak as II
II were smallpox
Well If it were catching l wouldn't t
take him for love or money, said Mrs.
Hickey For can't be troubled with
such nonsense at my age. I've always
had n horror of temperament since l had
the boarders. You remember young Ty-
son? Well, he had it, and Of all the
rasaries it was supposed to excuse! He
was the most disagreeable boarder had,
and just from temperament I'm sorry.
Isabel, that it has broken out in your
child
Again the mother laughed comfortably.
II know he'll get along all right with
you,' she said. temperament or no tenn
permanent"
Tom was not to be left until the day
that the ship sailed. And Mrs. hickey
met them at the dock. In a few minutes
it was all over. Mrs. Hickey had hidden
the father and mother farewell and had
witnessed their fearful adieus to their
son. She picked him up in her arms and
waved as long as they could see. Then
she set him down and reached down for
his hand. He had hidden his father and
mother goodbye without a tear, but
now they came freely. He put his small
hands behind his back and walled In a