The Republican journal., 1915-07-01
Fathers Adventures with the
Mosquitoes.

In the June American Magazine Ellis
P. Butler writes another boys stnry-a
funny one. 1t is entitled, 1.-The Son and
Father Movement" and relates the ad.
ventures of a father who decided one
night to sleep in tent with his small
son. The boy had invited his father tc
make the adventure and early in the
evening was ready to make the start.
The following extract from the story be-
gins at the point where the father is
leaving the house to 60 to the tent:
"'Hello, Father, he said, 4 was just
waiting for you.
"'All right, Davy; now for good
Oh, forgot my pajamas.
brush and comb, too. guess got every
thing
"Father slapped himself vigorously on
the back of the neck.
"'Lot of mosquitoes tonight! he ex-
claimed.
"'There's always a lot over here, ,
said David. They don't bother you so
much when you get the smudge burning. ,
''David held open the tent flap, slap
ping with his hand as warning to mos
quitoes that they were not wanted with
IN. Tens, hundreds, perhaps thousands,
of them did not heed the warning. They
entered with Father, buzzing merrily.
"'Great Caes-' Father began, as he
felt the greater heat of the tent interior
press against his face, but he caught
himself in time. We'll, this looks nice
and cozy, he said instead. This is fine!
This is real sport! What's the matter
with that lantern?'
1t generally smokes like that, said
David. we don't have to have it.
thought maybe you would like to sit up
and read a while.
Zone side of the lantern flame was
doing all the work. That side shot up
ward tirelessly, pouring stream of
smoky flame against the lantern globe.
The other side Of the flame was sulki g.
1t sputtered and gssped and gave forth
nothing but a rich odor of Iow-grade
petroleum, partially stewed. From the
air passage at the top of the globe the
rich black smoke eddied, dropping greasy
SCOT everywhere.
Put it out!' said Father, and then.
remembering that he was being a boy,
he said, 1t will be more fun to undress
in the dark. Where are my pajamas?'
"'Across your COT said David, but
I'd better kill the mosquitoes before l
put out the light, hadn't ~
Father looked at the roof of the tent
and thought he had. There were thou
sands OF mosquitoes, apparently, stand
ing blissfully upside-down on the canvas
OF the tent, waiting for the real party to
begin. Father helped David slaughter
them. They killed several army corps.
In the smoke-scented air of the tent it
was hot work. Father perspired freely.
Once he suggested opening the tent flap
to admit air, but he Immediately with
drew the suggestion; it would be impos-
sible to spend the night in alternately
opening the tent flap to admit mosquitoes
and closing it to kill them. He disrobed,
put on his pajamas and got into bed.
'The temperature of the tent gave no
reason for covering, but the mosquitoes
made one imperative; usually the breeze
was from the sea and a blanket was
grateful, so David had only blankets.
Father drew his blanket to his chest. A
mosquito bit him on the neck, and he
drew the blanket to his chin. Another,
or the same, mosquito bit the top of his
head. Father drew the blanket over his
head. Ore or more mosquitoes, taking
advantage of the shifting of the blanket,
bit Father on the feet. He got out of
the cot and tucked the blanket in at the
foot.
What's the matter, Father?' asked
David sleepily.
Nothing, Davy; just getting COM
fortably fixed. Good night