The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1916-06-17
BY MISS EMILY ATKINSON
New Paris. O., r. r. !

privilege of other boys"
"My boy" continued the mother
lis fifteen; runs the streets OF
dirty city, selling papers, and run
ming errands for the neighbors, tt
make living for u.s."
Mrs. Marlyn continuing, John
ME comes home at night all worn
out. Nevertheless he turns his
days wages over to me for the fol
lowing days bread and butter"
"Well!" replied Mrs. Jones, I'll
you only could go to the country
and raise your living. DO you
know that Johnnie could farm on
a small scale?"
at would be easier for him, the
worry off your mind, and he could
be home with you most OF the
time" said Mrs. Jones.
"Ohi" exclaimed the surprised
mother, that would be great. I'll
ask him this very night"
eff he thinks he is man enough"
said Mrs. Margin, ito do farm work
would be overjoyed with the
country"
81 think he'll like it fine, and no
doubt that he is man when it
comes to working"
at takes sticl1toitiveness to
make success at anything" con
tnued Mrs. Jones.
Mrs Marlyn nestled the thought
of the lonely city life. of days when
she was alone, and rejoiced at the
thought of ever living in the
country,
"Mother!" said Johnnie, "you
aren't like yourself tonight. Have
you been visiting?' mo! no! john
ME, l was hanging over the back
pard fence, talking to Mrs Jones, >"
replied the mother. In the same
breath continued his mother, Do
you know Johnnie, that Mrs. Jones
suggested that we could go to the
country; there we could live hap
pier and far more comfortable; we
could do farming on a small scale
"Mother!" replied Johnnie, I'm
a man, / can farm. Why mother,
when we boys get big enough to
smoke, aren't we men,"
"Why child do you smoke" re-
peated his mother in amazement.
"Sure!" said Johnnie, after a
slight pause, eve boys all smoke"
"Mothcr!" said Johnnie, didn't
father smoke? He was a man."
"Johnnie!" repeated mother"
"you aren't to blame, your father
used tobacco. 1t took every cent |
could rake and scrape to keep him
in tobacco. When he was without
it he was growing and snarling
and was very disagreeable to be
around. When he was out Of tobac-
co he would just wait until you
came home in the evening and
turned your wages over to me. He
then would take the first quarter,
and it made no difference whether
we had anything to eat except
bread and water. | couldn't wash
to help make the living, although |
was willing to do my part"
Mother, don't worry, I'll do all
I can for you"
Sonny" continued the mother,
tobacco was the real cause of your
fathers death" The tears were
making their way down Mrs, Mar
lyn's sun-browned checks John
ME-" said Mrs. Marlyn, why do
you wish to live in poverty all your
life, just for the filthy habit of
using tobacco 1t doesn't make a
man of you; it only makes beg
gar. Sometimes a dcspisable home
for both you and your compan-
ions"
The mothers talk almost wilted
the fifteen-year-old man.
Mother, I'm going to be real
for sure man; not a tobacco man,
but a really man." said Johnnie.
Amid all my tears | had to
smile and pat him on the head"
IF only you keep your promise
Johnnie. you'll be really man."
replied Mrs. Marlyn.
johnnie and his mother ate a
hearty supper together; then sat
in the door for refreshing breath
of pure air. 1t was closing day
very fast and darkness came upon
them unaware.