The Grangeville globe. [volume] (Grangeville, Idaho) 1907-1922, 1915-08-12
HIS BOYS
How They Won a
Mother
NJ AGNES q RRncAN
BY AGNES G. BROCAN

n n was a very bedlam of screechine
..ounds below which caused Mollie to
owing wide the easement of her study
window.
What could 1t mean, this riot OF noise
In a house supposedly vacant? For
the owners assurance that the house
next to the bungalow was unoccupied
had been one of Mollie's reasons for
renting the place in the country.
Here, far away from city distrac-
lions, she might fittingly finish the
clever serial for which a publisher
waited. But nowl From a rear door
of the neighboring house came a rush
ing line of boys, boys bareheaded, boys
shouting, leaping good naturally at
each others shoulders-five of them.
81 Indignantly Mollie descended to seek
Explanation OF this intrusion from her
housekeeper.
Said Nora, land divil a wink of slape
did | have ali night. No one lift +
look after them but an old red face OF
a cook, and the father ridin' Off this
.mornin' In his automobeel."
81 Disconsolately Mollie wandered out
into her well kept garden, the spirit of
writing destroyed. Mr.. Boffin, the cat,
came scampering wildly from his GUS
tomary seat ON the garden wall, his
exit evidently fastened by well aimed
missile.
Il "Dear me-" cried Miss Mollie, this
will never do! Peace, indeed, and
Quiet and all the desirable advantages
promised by that real estate man! Well,
we shall seer And then her gaze fell
upon one small lonely brother seated
In sunny corner OF the old veranda.
Near to the touch of his thin white
band rested wooden crutch, and pres
entity, bearing his frai weight upon it,
The little cripple swung himself out
INTO the garden.
Poor childr' sighed the girl in ever
Ready sympathy and retreated thought
fully to her room again and her seat
before the easement window. From
This viewpoint she could see the lively
Brothers vainly trying to climb her
garden wall to reach the hollyhock row
which bordered it.
q IF they darer' she murmured, with
Banning cheeks But the cherished
blossoms were just out of reach of the
grimy fingers; then, with appraised an
$elic face, the little crippled brother
leaned against a nearby tree and. much
10 the enjoyment of the others, DELHI
erately lifted his wooden crutch and
with straight aim knocked from the
hollyhocks their brilliant blossoms.
"Oh!' cried Mollie. and "Ohr' again,
hnd rushed down to deal with the Of
Fender. 1t was necessary to make the
fircuit of the great house, which had
peen empty yesterday, and to knock
loudly at the close fastened door.
When this was opened the red faced
fook confronted her, and Mollie, point
ing toward the limping culprit, asked,
Rtill a little excitedly, If the boys
mother was there and If she might see
her.
j Tins mother?" asked the cook;
fhen she stared curiously at the girl.
why, Tins mothers In the hospital,
PAWN an operation"
4 Again M0llie experienced the same
helpless sensation which had come
over her at sight of Tim upon the
#eranda, the little crutch close at hand.
i did not know" she said. at am
sorry. Perhaps you could-could keep
me child from being so mischievous.
pes ruined my choice flowers. He
pas been spoiled no doubt" she added
aeniently, left to grow up unpublished
because Of his--weakness. If his ia
sher"-
Inc woman interrupted with
foarse laugh. "SpoiledY' she Knocked
#unpunished? Tim. come here!'
Quite cheerfully the little fellow
Rbeyed. Quickly the woman's rough
Fngers. which could also be gentle.
oiled back the lads white waist
Ihere." she pointed-"theres welts.
$nere's marks where he's been pun
she'd"
Mollie drew back in horror. ..Oh,
PoF she cried protestingly. Surely
~ father could be brute like THAR
q But Tim exhibited his scars proudly
y scars of battle. Sure" he said.
Tive been nckedr'
Then Mollie's anger turned to pity.
lou poor little thingr" she cried
IIhey did not know how to teach you
Tome with me. Tim, and let me tell
Hou about the flowers.
You see" she explained as he hob
2led along at her side. they were just
R'ue seeds at first. planted In an empty
$afden. And the sun came along and
"a Its warming work. then the rain,
~ the wind, and-the spring. The
ute seeds had hard. brave fight of
z put, after all, the green sprouts came
Yseping above ground, then the stalks.
10 after. oh. ever so long time. the
sreen tiny leaves. next the buds I'M
solued slowly, slowly and then
Inc boys eyes widened expectantly.
tnen." finished Mollie. "came the
=