Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1917-11-07

The boy Whistlei brlskly my Coun.
try, IT'S Of Thee" and, though his
knowledge of the air failed him when
be finished the second line, he was not
dlsheartened, but began at the begin
ming again. continuing repeatedly after
this fashion to Offset monotony by pa
triotism. He whistled loudly. He
walked with ostentatious intent to be
1T some heavy affair in the distance.
His ears were red. He looked neither
to the right nor to the left-that Is, he
looked neither to the right nor to the
left until he had passed the Bakers
fence. But when he had gone as far
as the upper corner of the fence be-
yond he turned his head and looked
back, without any expression, except
that Of a whistler. at Jane And thus,
Still whistling My Country, 'Tis Of
Thee" and with blank pink face over
his shoulder. he proceeded until he was
out of sight.
"Who was that boy?" the new neigh
Dor then inquired.
Its Freddie" Jane said placidly.
He's in our Sunday school. He's in
love of me-"
"Janev
! Again the outraged and ink stained
countenance gared down from the
window. .....
What you wantw Jane asked.
What you mean talking about such
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my life l never heard anything as dis
gushing! Shame on you!"
The little girl from across the street
looked upward thoughtfully. Hes
mad" she remarked, and, regardless
OF James previous information, 1T is
your papa, isn't it?' she insisted.
No" said Jane testify. 81 told you
five times it's my brother Willie"
"Oh! said the little girl, and, grasp.
ing the fact that Williams position
was in dignity and authority negligi-
BILE compared with that which she had
persisted in imagining, she felt 1t safe
to tint her upward gaze with disfavor:
He acts kind Of crazy" she MUIR
INJURED.
Hes in love Of Miss Pratt" said
Jane. "She's goin' away today. She
said she'd go before, but today she is!
Mr.. Parcher, where she visits, he's A.
most dead, she's stayed so long. She's
awful, think"
William, to whom all was audible,
shouted hoarsely, "I'll see to you" and
disappeared from the window.
"Win he come down here?" the little
girl asked. taking q step toward the
gate.
mo. He's just gone to call mamma.
All she'll doll be to tell us to go play
somewheres else. Then We can 60
talk to Genesis"
"WhoT'
Genesis. He's putin q load Of coal
in the cellar window with a shovel
He's nice.''
whats he put the coal in the win
dow foxY
"He'sa colored man." said Jane.
"Shall We go talk to him now?'
NO." Jane said thoughtfully. Lets
be playin' callers when mamma comes
to tell u to 80 way. What was your
name?'
"Rannie."
mo, 1t wasn't"
1T II too Rannie," the little girl In.
sisted. my whole names Mary Ran
dolph Kirsted. but my short names
Rannie.''
Jane laughed. what funny namev'
she said. II didn't mean your real
name; meant your callers name. One
Of us was Mrs. Jones, and one was
II want to be Mrs. Jones" said Ran
ME. '.' .4. "
"Oh, my dear Mrs. jones'" Jane be-
gan at once, II want to tell you about
my lovely children. l have two, one
only seven years old and the other
"Janew called Mrs. Baxter from vii.
liam's window.
"Yes'm!'
you must 60 somewhere else to
play. Willie's trying to work at his
studies up here, and he says you've
disturbed him very much"
"Yes'm."
The obedient Jane and her friend
turned to go, and as they went Miss
Mary Randolph Kirsted allowed her
uplifted eyes to linger with increased
disfavor upon William, who appeared
beside Mrs. Baxter at the window.
= II tell you what let's do" Rannie
suggested in 4 lowered voice. He got
20 fresh with us an made your mother
come an all, let's-let's"-
She hesitated.
Lets whatT" Jane urged her in IN
eager whisper.
Lets think up somep'n he won't like
and do itr'
They disappeared round the corner
Of the house, their heads close to-
gether.
Upstairs Mrs. Baxter moved to the
door Of her sons room, pretending to
be unconscious of the gaze he main
tanned upon her. Mastering courage
to hum little tune and affecting in
consequence, she had nearly crossed
the threshold when he said sternly:
And this is all you intend to say to
that child?"
'Why, yes, Willie"
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