The Detroit times., 1916-06-19

The champion. sword in hand, was
defending his lady love from the
murderous attack OF the dragon.
The group Of nurses lounging on
the park bench saw only flve-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. lie knew the dragon would
surely swallow Marjorie or drag her
away TO it's lair, unless her defender
could brighten away the monster
with his sword.
So while Marjorie squealed with
delight, Tommy welded the wooden
sword right loughtily, shaking 1t in
front Of the barking collie's nose and
assuring his little playmate he would
save her.
II was a wonderful garle. But pres
entlysthc collie tired of it 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 mudpuddle.
At once-even before the scream
of his Mortified nurse reached his
ears-hc ceased TO be a victorious
warrior and became a very BADLY
| scared little boy.
He realized that his new silk suit
was ruined by he mud-that his
| mother had warned him 10 be care
ful to keep out of the dirt--and that
he was probably in for a whipping.
| Wherefore, he howled dismally.
The nurse swooped down upon
him, sratched him up from his mir
resting place, shook him. and, amid
! LOUD vOlleys of threats as 10 what
! Mrs Blake would do when she
should see his spoiled new suit,
dragged the sQaalling child home
ward
Mrs Blake was thoroughly we'll
/ meaning woman In fact, she meant
; 20 we'll that she did not confine her
woll.meaning TO her own home, but
tried 10 disseminate IL among less
lucky families.
That was why. at this moment. she
was engaged in preparing CT address
which she expected TO read two
nights later before the Parents club.
In her big library she sat placidly
scribbling the preamble of her
speech
81 did not come prepared to speak
this evening" she wrote, laboriously.
but the training of children is
subject 20 which | 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 a
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 boyl 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, che was"
81 asked Master Tommy not you,
nurse" interrupted the vexed moth
err. 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. 81 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 | made
him run away. And | chased him.
And fell down and got all muddied
up. And I'm awful sorry. Mamma.
| 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 her wake IA she marched
across TO the library book closet and
flung open it's door.
Tommy understood now the terri
bic punishment that was 10 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 imprison-
ment was anguish 10 him. II was a
torture as acute as fer a historical
"grownup" TO be locked for the night
in burial vault
please. Mamma" he walled.
clinging 10 the hand that pinched
his tender little arm so cruelty.
please. Please don't put ne there.
IL told The truth"
The slam OF the door and the in