Evening star., 1920-02-15
BY SEWELL FORD

that keeps her reasonably busy. Als0
she's lady gusher from GushvilIes
Now. I don't object to havin' converS
sational gum drop tossed at me once In
while. sort of offhand and casual
But that amt Mrs. Buttinskis method,
She feeds you raw molasses with q
mixih spoon. Just smears you with II.
Isn't 1t perfectly wonderful" says
she, waddlin' in fussy, that your dear
darling little son should be two years
old? Do you know. Mrs Robert Eliins
Just told me of what an important day
1t was in the lives Of you two charming
young people. SO ! came right over to
congratulate You. And here l discover
you all together in your beautiful little
home' proud father and all. How for-
tunate!"
AS she's beamn' straight at me has
to give her some comeback. "Yes,
you're lucky. all right" says 1. can
other minute and you wouldn't found
me here. for / was just
Which Is where l gets frown and a
back-up signal from Wee. She don't like
Mrs Proctor Butt a bit more n do, bus
she amt SO frank about lettin' her know
1t.
Oh, please don't run away" begs
Mrs. Butt. You make such an ideal
young couple. AS tell Mr.. Butt l just
can't keep my eyes off you whenever I
see you two out together"
I'm sure that's nice Of you to say So"
says Wee. blushin'.
Oh. every one thinks the same of
you, my dear" says the lady. "Only I
simply can't keep such things to myself.
have such an impulsive nature. And
adore young people and children, posi-
lively adore them. And now, where is
the darling little baby that haven't
seen for months and months? You'll
forgive my running in at this unseason-
Bile hour. / know. but l just couldn't
wait another day to--oh there he 10. the
darling cherub. And isn't that a picture
for an artist?'
He'd have to be some rapid fire paint
singer II he was to use Ikky-boy as a
model just then, for him and Buddy was
havin free-fOr-all mix-up behind the
davenport that nothing short Of movie
camera would have done justice to.
"Oh. you darling little fellow" she
gurgles on. Il must hold you in my
arms just moment. Pease, mother
mayn't II"
Tin afraid you would find him
rather a lively armful just now"
warns Wee. You sec when he gets to
playing with Buddy he's apt To-"
"Oh. sha'n't mind a Bit" says Mrs.
Butt. Besides, the little dears al
ways seem to take to me. Do let me
have him for a moment?"
You get him. Torchy." says Wee.
So after more or less maneuverin'
1 untangles the two, shuts Buddy in
another room and deposits Ikky boy,
stu kickin' and strugglin' indignant,
In whatever lap Mrs. Butt has to
offer.
Then she proceeds to rave over him.
It's enough to make you seasick.
Positively. "Oh, what exquisite, silky
curls Of spun gold" she gushes. and
such heavenly big blue eyes with the
long lashes, and his little rosebud
mousie, O-o-o-o-o-o."
From that on all she spouts IL baby
talk. while she mauls and paws him
around like he was sack Of meal I
couldn't help slancin' at Auntie, for
that's one thing she and Wee have
agreed on. that strangers wasn't to
be allowed to take any such liberties
with baby. Besides, Auntie never did
have any use for this Mrs. Butt any
way and hardly speaks to her civil
when she meets her. Now Auntie is
squirmin' in her chair and l can guess
how her fingers are itchin to rescue
the youngster.
I'm precious little sweetums, amt
oO?" gurgles Mrs. Butt. rootin' him
in the stomach with her nose. Won't
um let me tiss ums tweet little pinky
winky toes:'
She's just tryin' to haul off one OF
his shoes when Ikky-boy cuts loose
with the rough motions, fists and feet
both in action, until she has to
straighten up to save her hat and her
her hair.
"Dess one little toe-tiss?" she begs,
Say" demands Tkky-boy. pushin'
her face away fretful, where 90 get
at stuff?
''Wha gasps Mrs Butt.
Lay Off at. tant you?' says he.
10000 give Ikky-boy a big pain, 90
does. G'way,
why. how rude" says Mrs. Butt.
gain around bewildered: and then,
as she spots that approvn' smile on
Auntie's face, she turns red in the
ears.