Free trader-journal. (Ottawa, Ill.) 1916-1920, 1918-10-23
/, OUR BOYS !
and GIRLS
A MARCH WIND

School was over in the big brick
building around the corner. and the
children came trooping by, in groups
OF twOs and threes, with here and
there's q little solitary figure with
whom lessons had evidently gone
wronk Ii was sunshiny March day.
dreadfully windy and gusty. and there
Was much laughing and shouting
among the little folks who were al
most blown to pieces.
Mary Belle was especially gay,
swinging her books and chattering
with the more sedate, though younger
Folunlnia. Her lessons had been well
learned. and she was general favor
lite; besides. she was wearing her big
new Easter hat, to the envy of the
other girls. and the admiration of the
boys.
Over ON the stOop of his house sat
Philip, the lame boy, enyied Of the
others. because he need go to school
only when he chose. the poor little
isme les hurting pretty badly at times.
He sat whistling and making boat
with his pocket-knife. watching the
children 20 by. II was not SO much
fun staying away from school as the
other boys thought, and he would
cheerfully have changed places with
them. gould he only romp and play as
they did. Tim, the big yellow dog, was
lying down beside him.
There's Philip" called out Mary
Belle. and waved her big hat in greet
Ing. Who's the ship for?"
Guess his leg hurts him to-day: he
wasn't at school," said Volumnia, and
both girls started across the street TO.
ward him.
just then tremendous gust Of wind
cane. blowing dust in their eyes ;.ld
taking possession of Mary Bellies hat;
away il went down the street. Tim
saw II with delight and made a mad
dart after it, barking loudly and wav-
ing his great bushy tail to the wind.
They chased in and out among the
shrieking children, Tim gaining on it
every moment, and finally capturing il
In q wild dash down the cellar stairs
Of the baker shop. He caught it prom.
iscuously in his big white teeth, jump
ing up and down eXcitedly, and then
running over with it toward Philip,
with ribbons flying. Philip, who had
not been able to pursue the dog be-
cause of his lameness, stood waiting
his opportunity, Mary Belle scream
ing loudly for her treasure.
Tim came galloping UP as fast as he
could in the face OF the wind, with the
great hat as sail. and conscious that
he was not trimming it very satisfac-
torily. Philip took firm stand in the
middle of the sidewalk, directly in the
dogy way; he stretched his little legs
wide, apart. lame as one was, and pre-
pared to + ach o5er and grab Tim az
he should nass. Tut, bounding and re.
ing, Tim stopped for nothing; he M lie
a direct dart between the legs of The
little Colossus OF Rhodes, and removed
him promptly. Only great presence
Of mind prevented dreadful miXup OF
boy, dog, hat and all. for Philip
promptly closed in his unsteady little
legs and sat down plump upon the
dogs back. holding on for dear life.
Away they went half way up the
block, the little chap sticking pluckily
to his flying steed, who still held the
big hat in his mouth, and the host OF
children in wild pursuit; the wind
blowing. dust flying, and the petals
from Mary Bellies artificial roses
strewing the road
1t was the grocer's spotted dog that
put an end to the whole performance.
however. He was coming down the
street on the wagon whore he sat be-
eide the driver. The excitement was
too much for him; he jumped down
from the wagon with yell Of a bark,
waving his stumpy, spotted tail, and
Gefying the whole troop OF oncomers
dog, boy, hat and children. The attl.
tude which he took in the matter pro.
duced diversion, and Philip escaped;
his lame knee a trife worse for the
ride, yet the boy himself conyulsed
with laughter. Mary Belle and Volum.
MIA recovered all that was left OF the
hat, which the children bore of In
sorry triumph. Tim explained cheer.
fully to the spotted dog that it was all
q lark, the denouement having been
AZ unexpected to himself as to any
one. So they made friends and parted,
Tim again seeking Philips COM
relationship on the stoop, where the
whistling and whiting were resum.
ed; and the spotted dog, overtaklng
his wagon and trotting along beside
1t. The children were dispersed and
the wind waited for the next chance
to make merry.
Quite Successful.
Mr. SunSOn tOok his wife's I'm,