The Detroit times. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1903-1920, 1916-06-19


The group OF nurses lounging on
the park bench saw only fve-year
old Tommy Blake and four.year-old
Marjorie Lampson, playing with a
very big and very friendly collie.
But Tommy, the champion. knew
better. He knew the dragon would
surely swallow Marjorie or drog her
away TO its lair, unless her defender
could brighten away the monster
with his sword.
SO while Marjorie squealed with
delight, Tommy welded the wooden
sword right doughtily. shaking II in
front Of the barking collie's nose and
assuring his little playmate he would
save her.
II was wonderful game But pres
entity the collie tired of il and trot-
ted away. Tommy thrilled at the
triumphant thought that he had van
quished the dragon) gave chase. He
had not run three steps before his
foot slipped and he tumbled face
downward in a very large and very
sloppy mudruddie.
At once-even before the scream
OF his Mortified nurse reached his
ears-hc ceased to be a victorious
warrior and became q very BADLY
scared little boy.
He realized that his new silk suit
was ruined by he mud--,hat his
mother had warned him TO be care
full 10 keep out OF the dirt-ani that
he was probably in for a whipping
Wherefore. he howled dlsmally.
The nurse swooped down upon
him, snatched him up from his mir
resting place, shook him, and, amid
load volleys Of threats as to what
Mrs. Blake would do when she
should see his spoiled new suit,
dragged the squalling child home
ward
Mrs Blake was a thoroughly we'll
20 well that she did not confine her
well-meaning to her own home, but
tried TO disseminate IL among less
lucky families.
That was why. at this moment. she
was engaged in preparing ar address
which she expected to read two
nights later before the Parents CLUB.
In her big library she sat placidly
scrlbbling the preamble OF her
speech:
II did not come prepared to speak
this evening"" she wrote, laboriously,
"but the training Of children is
subject TO which I have given"
A shutting door, a sound OF weep
ing, the hurry Of footsteps checked
her flow OF inspiration. She laid
down her pen and turned with
frown toward the library doorway.
On the threshold appeared the
nurse half leading, half dragging the
fearful and muddy child. At sight Of
the havoc wrought on Toms new
suit Mrs. Blake cried in sudden loss
Of temper:
"You bad. bad boy! See what
you've done! You ought TO be whip
ped and sent to bed How did this
happen"
why, you see. ma'am," began the
nurse, he was"
II asked Master Tommy not you,
nurse" interrupted the vexed moth.
er. Tommy, tell me how this hap
pened! Tell me the truth, mind you,
or I'll"
TIT was this way" faltered
Tommy. manfully choking back his
sobs. II was playing Saint George
and the Dragon. And Marj'rie was
being the Maiden OF Distress-like---
like the way you read TO me. And
Laddie was the dragon. And I made
him run away. And I chased him.
And I fell down and got all muddied
up. And I'm awful sorry. Mamma.
I didn't mean to fall down. And"
80 you disobeyed me and got
dirty after warned you not to-"
broke in his mother. You wicked
boy. l."
But" stammered Tommy, IL
told the truth. The way you said !
always must. And"
Mrs. Blake interrupted his pitiful
defense by catching his shoulder In
her strong hand and perking him
along in Ter wake "a she marched
across to the library book closet and
flung open It's door.
Tommy understood now the terri
bic punishment that was TO be his.
Like many nervous and high-strung
children, he had an unreasoning hor-
ror OF the dark. For only his very
worst offenses was he ever locked
in this black closet. Such imprlson-
ment was anguish to him. II was a
torture as acute as fer hysterical
"grownup" to nc locked for the night
in burial vault.
please. Mamma" he walled.
cIinging TO the hand that pinched
his tender little arm so cruelty.
Please. Please don't put me there.
IL told the truth"