Evening star., 1920-02-15
COMES ALONG
ENG a parent grows on you,
don't 1t? Course. at first, when
It's sprung on you so kind of

months there. after young Richard
Hemingway Ballard came and set
tied down with Wee and me, 1 put up
kind OF a ragged amateur performance
as fond father. All can say about
1t now Is hopO l didn't look as foolish
as felt.
AS for Wee, she seemed to get her
lines and business perfect from the
start. Somehow. young mothers do. She
knew how to handle the youngster right
off; how to hold him and what to saw
to him when he screwed up his face
and made remarks to her that meant
nothing at all to me. And she wasn't
fused or anything when company came
IN ana caught her at it. Also young
Master Richard seemed to be right at
home from the very first Didn't seem
surprised or strange or nervous in the
presence of a pair of parents that he
found wished on him without much
warnin'. Just gazcd at us as calm and
matter-of-fact as if he'd known us a
long time. While me. well, it must have
been weeks before got over fceln' kind
or panicky whenever | was left alone
with him
but are we acquainted now? I'll saw
we are In fact. as Harry Lauder used
to put 1t. vurra we'll acquainted. Chum
my. might say. Why not, after we've
stood two years of each other without
any serious dispute? Not that I'm
claimin' any long distance record as q
model parent. No. l expect / do most
of the things l shouldn't and only a
Few OF them that should But 'I<ky-
poy isn't critical youngster. That's
MS own way of sayin' his name and
mostly we call him that Course, he
answers to others. too such as Old
Scout. and SnoodIcsiins. and younr
Rough-houser. 1 mean. he does when
ne aina too busy with important en-
terprlses; such as haulin' Buddy, the
Alredale pup. around by the ears: or
spoonin in milk and cereal, with Buddy
watchin' hopeful for sidcslips; or pull
In OUT the spool drawer of Wees work
table.
It's been limited to us by thoushtful
friends who have all the scientific
dope on brining up children, although
most of EN- never had any of their
own, that this is all wiring. Accordin'
10 Them we ought to start right in
maxim him drop whatever he's doin'
ana como to us the minute we call.
Maybe We should. too. But that amt
the way 1T works out. for. generally.
we don't want anything special and
ne seems so wrapped up in his pri-
Sate little affairs that it don't seem
worth while breakin' in on his pro-
gram Course. maulin' Buddy around
may seem to us like a frivolous pas.
time, but how can you tell If it amt
the serious business in life to Ikky-
boy just then? Besides. Buddy seems
TO like 1t. So as rule we let 'em
finish the game.
But there is one time each day
when he's always ready to quit any
klnd OF fun and come toddlin' with
MS hands stretched out and a wide
grin on his chubby little face That's
along about 6:l5. when l blow in
from town. Then he's right there
with the merry greetin' and the
friendly motions. Also his way of
addressin' his male parent would give
another jolt to a lot of people. | sup
pose.
"Hi. Torchy!" That's his favorite
hail.
"Reddy yourself. you young freshly"
I'm apt to come back at him.
Foliowin' which | scOOch to meet
his fyin' tackle and we roll on the
rug In clinch, with Buddy yappn'
delighted and mixin' in promiscuous-
Iy. Finally we end up on the big
davenport in front Of the fireplace
and indulge in a few minutes Of lively
chat.
We'll. Ikky-boy. how you and Bud
dy been behavin' yourselves. eh?" I'll
ask. (Which has been the worse cut
up today. eh?"
Buddy bad dog" he'll say. battin'
him over the head with a pink fist.
"see?" And he'll exhibit a tear in
his rompers or a chewed sleeve.
Huh. I'll bet it's been ffty-fifty
you young rough-houser." I'll say.
Who do you like best around this
joint, anyway"
Buddy" is always the answer.
And next?" I'll demand
Mamma" he'll say
"Hey. where do l come in:" I'll ask,
shakin' him.
Then he'll screw up his mouth mis-
chievous and says: "Torchy come in