The Brookings register. [volume] (Brookings, Brookings County, S.D.) 1903-1971, 1915-08-12

q iStoE0 W
relative was shown and. finally, the
drunkard's picturesque behavior at the
portals of n madhouse.
So fascinated was Penrod that he
postponed his departure until this film
came round again, by which time he
had finished his unnatural repast and
almost, but not quite, decided against
following the profession Of a drunkard
when he grew VI. ,
Emerging, satiated, from the theater,
a public timepiece before a jewelers.
shop confronted him with an uneX-
peCted dial and imminent perpleXities.
How was he to explain at home these
hours OF dalliance? There was II
steadfaSt rule that he return direct
from Sunday school. and Sunday rules
were important because on that day
there was his father, always at home
and at hand, perilously ready for ac-
ton. One of the hardest conditions of
boyhood is the almost continuous strain
put upon the powers Of invention by
the constant and harassing necessity
lOJ tAIldlldtlbll VI tNtlN jldluld utI.
Proceeding homeward through the
deepening twilight as rapidly as posi-
bic at a gait half skip and half canter.
Penrod made up his mind in what
manner he would account for his long
delay and as he drew nearer rchearsed
in words the opening passage Of his
defense.
"Now, see here" he determined to
begin. 81 do not wish TO be blamed
for things l couldn't help nor any 9th
er boy. | was going along the street
by d cottage and q lady put her head
out Of the window and said her hus-
band was drunk and whipping her
and her little girl. and she asked me
wouldn't | come in and help hold him.
SO | went In and tried to get hold Of
this drunken lady's husband where he
was whipping their baby daughter, but
he wouldn't pay any attention. and /
told her | ought to be getting home,
but she KEEP on askin' M to stay
At this point he reached the corner
Of his own yard, where a coincidence
not only checked the rehearsal Of his
eloquence but happily obviated all oc-
casion for It. 4 cab from the station
drew up in front Of the gate. and there
descended a troubled lady In black
and a fragile little girl about three.
Mrs. Schofield rushed from the house
and EMBODIED both in hospitable arms.
They were PenrOd's Aunt Clara and
cousin, also Clara, from Dayton. ILL.,.
and In the furry Of their arrival every
body forgot to put Penrod to the ques-
ton. 1t is doubtful, however, If he felt
any relief; there may have been even q
slight, unconscious disappointment, no
altogether dissimilar to that Of an
actor deprived Of a good part.
In the course Of some really necessa-
ry preparations for dinner he stepped
from the bathroom into the pink and
white bedchamber Of his sister and adj
dressed her rather thickly through a
towel
"When'd mamma find out Aunt Clara
and Cousin Clara were coming?"
"Not till she saw them from the win
dow. She just happened to look out
as they drove up. Aunt Clara tele-
graphol this morning. but 1t wasn't
delivered"
"How long they goin' to stay?"
81 don't know"
Penrod ceased to rub his shining
face and thoughtfully tossed the towel
through the bathroom door. Uncle
John won't try to make 'em come back
home, ! guess. will heY' (Uncle John
was Aunt Clara's husband. a success
full manufactures of stoves. and his
lifelong regret was that he had not en-
tered the Baptist ministry He'll let
EN- stay here quietly. won't he!"
"What are you talking about?" de-
manded Margaret, turning from ner
mirror. Uncle John sent them here.
Why shouldn't he let them stay?"
Penrod looked crestfallen. Then he
hasn't taken to drink"