The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1920-10-01

Ham,, and he's gettin' fused by the
seconds. Then there was Mr.. and Mrs
Robert Ellins and Mrs. Candy, sort Of
groupin' themselves around curious,
and even the maid stretchin' her neck
while she's gatherin' up the coffee
cups.
So Ham. starts PAWN around among
his purchases and at last gets the
paper wrappin' off one Of 'em.
"There!" says he, holdin' it up.
Model of the Arizona, gun turrets and
all. There's a key to wind UP the en-
CINE with. Sails around in bath tub
or anywhere And here-now what
the deuce is this? Oh, yes! This is
the drum. See, sticks and everything!
Rub-a-dub-dub! 'Rah-rah, rah! Every
youngster ought to have a drum these
days. So he can have an election
parade all by himself, Ell? He can
whoop things up for Harding and
Coolidge, or-or the other chaps, if he
likes. Hope you don't mind a drum,
Miss Candy. Think they're rather
jolly myself. And this-ah, this is the
duck. Goes 'Quack, quack!' when you
pull 1t along with string. Clever,
eh? And the man said the paint
couldn't be sucked off, Positively
Asked about that particularly. Next
we have a-a-now I'm sure this is all
right. A motor truck. Elastic bands
inside that you twist up to make the
wheels go. can show him how it
works. Tried it in the store. See.
Here's where you twist. And then
when you put it down on the rug
Brr-r-r! Runs all around. Grea,
sport. He can load 1t up with building
blocks or marbles. or anything. Get
the idea, eh?"
Absolutely" says Edith. "That is,
about how the toys work. I've seen
such things before, 1 think. Very nice
of you to bring them, too But just
who are they for, Mr.. Curtiss?"
"Eh?" says Ham. He's down on his
hands and knees, operatin' the toy
truck, and now he stops to gawp up at
her.
why" says she, "who is the lucky
youngster that you take such an inter-
est in?'
"Oh. say." says he. / thought
you'd know. They're for Bub, of
course. That cunning little brothe,
Of yours you were telling me about"
That gets a gasp out of Miss Edith
For minute or two she stares at
Ham Curtis. Then she smothers
omething with her handkerchief and
urns her head. When she looks again
there's a cut-up twinkle in her eye.
Really" says she. For Bub!
How thoughtful of you. Mr.. Curtis.
No, he hasn't been tucked away for
the night. He's right here At least,
he was a moment ago. Oh, Bub!
Philip! Come here"
And then from somewhere in the
lshrubbery of at the left of the ter.
race comes this peevish answer. ooh,
what's the row now? Can't you let
/ a fellow smoke in peace?"
Sorry, Philip" says Miss Edith.
"But someone has brought you a lot
Of perfectly dear presents. You must
come and thank him nicely"
And you should have seen the look
that spread over Hams big round
| face when this languid young sport
drifts into sight. Maybe it wasn't
matey of me to smoker right out, but
with Mr.. Robert indulgin' in that
hearty "Haw. haw!" of his, and Wee
gigglin', and Mrs. Candy maxim
gaspy noises behind her fan l don't
expect Ham. noticed.
what presents?" demands Philip.
''Who from?"
Then he spots the drum and the tin
battleship and the painted duck. Also
he sees Ham,, strugglin' to his feet
with his face the color of new fire
hydrant.
"Huh!" says Brother Philip, tintin
up himself. what poor fish thought
all this up? Low comedy stuff, 1 call
lit. Who is your fat friend, anyway.
Sis? And what's the idea picking on
me? Bah!" and he walks of dis
gusted.
No, can't say Ham. made a very
good job of explainin' his mistake
His tongue seemed to get twisted. And
when he gets glimpse Of me smilin'
over in the corner, he sort of sets his
teeth and turns sulky. In fact, he
actually kicks the drum into the