The Detroit times., 1916-02-12
The Evening Story
Three Mothers.
.cOpyrlght 1918. BY W. werner.)


Papa cries every Sunday; John.
ny didn't say his prayers last night;
there's a long hole. n round hole.
and a square hole in my clockwork
stockings. The housekeeper Is gone
now. She had a mole on her nose.
too. and she limped. rapa's shirt
cuffs are frazzled, the cook can't
nnd the silver spoons. don't have
no birthday party; Rover tored up
the flower bed and I'm going TO hunt
two, three new mothers
"Thc doctor told papa yesterday
that, he had TO get we'll on count OF
these children, Papa groaned some
more and the doctor said; Cheer up.
Charlie, These decorative paintings
are rather louo for such a young
thing. but she's the true stun. She'll
melt by and by
"Our ice cream always melts, and
papa said one day Il tasted like tai
low candles. | s'pose that's some
thing that grew IN grandpas meadow
when he was boy. amt even got
grandpa or grandma and Top
sy's heads or ar my hair rib
bon's lost An | spilled a grease
spot on my pink dress an my aunt
les been sick a long time and can't
come. and Johnny said Shut up yes
terday. And | shutted up. cause
Martha said we both needed a good
'scotchin' and we'd get II, too. an !
said s'posed the silver spoons were
scotched. as we couldn't ind 'em. an
papas razor. An she said was an
imp. an runned of and told
Wordy. an he told his mamma an
said II was dreadful that papa had
such hard time an that | must be
a good girl and belp him, and I'm
going to- wish my hair was braid
ed And III ask wordy TO take
Johnny 10 the show an me, cause
2 Words got dollar saved in his
bank. lie said he wanted TO spend
itAan' I'll help him want TO. for he
always helps me. wordy said there
was new little bear al the show
an intend 10 poke II through the
cage with my red parasol
Il got 'aualnted with Yum-Yum.
the baby elephant. last year. Johnny
said I'd better not try that again.
] won't tell you now what tried.
I'm in a hurry, Maybe some one
else1l ask her TO he a mother and
won't get her. She can be three
mothers at our house. Thatll be
nicer than being Just one. Wordy
knows The multiplication table an
he says three time one are three"
Then HIlda put her hat on wrong
side before. took the headless Topsy
In her arms. and started down the
street.
Papa was getting we'll slowly from
a long Illness. and she did not stop
to ask his advice Martha had Just
begun breakfast and Johnny was
asleep
Hits tho Judges little girl. Viss.
what has them sparkling brown eyes
and such roses in her cheeks. She
do be a,wantin' 10 see you right
ava off. for she says you teach her
kindergarten. an I'm afraid her
fsthers dead or something. for he's
sick an the child is in such furry,
miss. an she's down there in the
parlor An may bring her up here.
please"
Katherine Holcombe turned very
pale. What II the young Judge.
Charles Hope. should be dead! She
looked worn and weary herself. for
she had spent sleepless night try
ing to settle a question asked her by
Hildas father just before he was
taken III. Something told her that
that question must be settled soon
Over and over had she said TO her
self: 81 will not be second moth
er to anybody's children, | am too
young. and IT Is too grea' a respon
sibility," Yet her hearts blood ran
cold at the possibility OF his death
Come right In. Hilda."