The Rathdrum tribune. (Rathdrum, Idaho) 1903-1963, 1916-02-25
HIS BOYS
How They Won a
Mother
By AGNES G. BROGAN

sounds below which caused Mollle 10
swing wide the easement of her study
window.
What could it 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 fttingly finish the
clever serial for which a publisher
waited. But now! From rear door
of the neighborlng house came a rush
ing line of boys, boys bareheaded, boys
shouting, leaping good naturally at
each others shoulders-fve of them.
Indignantly Mollie descended to seek
explanation of this intrusion from her
housekeeper.
"Sure, they moved In last night"
said Nora, land divil a wink of Shape
did l have all night. No one lift to
look after them but an old red face Of
a cook, and the father ridin off this
mornin' in his automobeel."
Disconsolately Mollie wandered out
into her well kept garden, the spirit Of
writing destroyed. Mr.. Botfin, the cat,
came scampering wildly from his Gus
tomary seat on the garden wall, his
exit evidently fastened by well aimed
missile
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 see!' 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
hand rested a wooden crutch, and pres
emily, bearing his frail weight upon it,
the little cripple swung himself out
into the garden.
Poor child!' 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.
IF they dare! she murmured, with
flaming cheeks. But the cherished
blossoms were just out of reach of the
grlmy fingers; then, with appraised an
gelic face, the little crippled brother
leaned against nearby tree and, much
to the enjoyment of the others, DELHI
erately lifted his wooden crutch and
wi OF q n lynnn1sn6 ho
hollyhocks their brilliant blossoms.
"Oh!' cried Mollie, and "Oh!" again,
and rushed down to dear with the of
fender. 1t was necessary to make the
circuit of the great house, which had
been empty yesterday, and to knock
loudly at the close fastened door.
When this was opened the red faced
cook confronted her, and Mollie, point
ing toward the limping culprit, asked,
still a little excitedly, If the boys
mother was there and If she might see
her.
Tins mother?' asked the cook;
then she stared curiously at the girl.
why, Tins mothers in the hospital,
havin' an operation"
Again Mollie experienced the same
helpless sensation which had come
over her at sight Of Tim upon the
veranda, the little crutch close at hand.
Il did not know" she said 81 am
sorry. Perhaps you could-could keep
the child from being so mischievous.
He's ruined my choice flowers. He
has been spoiled no doubt" she added
leniently, left to grow up unpublished
because of his-weakness. If his ia
ther"-
The woman interrupted with
coarse laugh. "Spoiled?" she Knocked.
"Unpunished? Tim, come here.'
Quite cheerfully the little fellow
obeyed. Quickly the woman's rough
fingers, which could also be gentle,
rolled back the lads white waist.
There" she pointed-"there's welts.
there's marks where he's been pun.
ished."
Mollie drew back in horror. "Oh,
no." she cried protestingly. Surely
no father could be a brute like that!'
But Tim exhibited his scars proudly
as scars Of battle. Sure" he said.
1--WE been lickedr'
Then Moflie's anger turned to pity.
You poor little thing!" she cried.
They did not know how to teach you.
Come with me, Tim, and let me tell
you about the flowers.
You see," she explained as he hob
bled along at her side, they were Just
little seeds at first, planted in an empty
garden. And the sun came along and
did its warming work, then the rain,
and the wind, and-the spring. The
little seeds Had a hard, brave fight of
1t; but, after all, the green sprouts came
peeping above ground then the stalks,
and after, oh, ever so long time. the
green tiny leaves, next the buds I'm.
folded slowly, slowly and them
The boys eyes widened expectantly.
Then finished Mollie, came the
howers-the wonderful, glorious flow
ers." Her voice fell sadly. And in a
thoughtless moment you killed them
all! I'll tell you." she added at the
boys conscience stricken face. You
may come over and gather ali the flow.
ers you want. but don't kill them"
The lad sank down upon the porch
step of Mollie's home, and his small
eyes regarded her shrewdly. Say"
he asked "O flor all 1;J ,o,,,li - :.