Arizona republican., 1921-12-11

but she jest won't answer them. Poor old Hank-I hate to think of his kid knocking about in orphan asylums?"
 "So you sent a check and told them just how to send the boy here?"
 "yep," said the big man humbly. What do you think of it. Sally?"
 q think I see why I've worked so hard and gone without clothes like wanted for so many years--it was to make a home for Hank Todd's boy"
 Great grief!" howled Tom, thrust ing up his arms. "Whatn I do? Telegraph them not to send the boy?"
 "No; too late" said Sarah. I've got to face 1t. Every one in town would know about it some way or other. I don't s'pose you realize 1t, but there's a bunch of women here sort of look up to me as a manager and housekeep and all that"
 You sure beat them all," sighed
 Tom.
 Well, must say I've been pretty high and mighty with them- I've talked very strong against their ex- travagant, shiftless ways, and when
 Mrs. Jennings refused to take Ali Jennings old, father and mother into their home last winter the things said about her were blistering. Sort
 of retribution for me. No; I'll take the boy"
 Well, now, Sally" said big Tom
 softly, maybe you'll grow fond of Sarah almost screamed: "The little skeezicksi The little scallywagt I've had six brothers. I know what boys, are! This place Is perfect. what'll he do to 1t? Only nick and claw and smear the furniture and toss balls in the garden beds and trample down the plants and break the boughs of the fruit trees and the best dishes and windows and keep me busy alarming and patching. Don't you figure on any adoption papers. Get that sisters address that lives East and I'll write her letter that'll make her sit up. Mean time let him come"
 He looked very harmless when Tom brought him home one evening. During suppertime he was shy and quiet and couldn't begin to eat the things Sarah put on his plate. But afterward he began to twine himselr around the railings and crawl head first down the porch steps and writhe over the grass like a snake and soak himself under the hose. And. or course. then and always he left the
 screen door open.
 Tom tried to frown, and growled faintly, but Sarah was not deceived. You're tickled to death with the boy don't be afraid to. show it." she said. "Pet him and play with him all you like; he won't get any of that from me"
 So there were great games that l night and most nights between the huge man and the little lad. What awful things Henry done today?" Tom asked next evening.
 'Oh, he peeled about yard of the new paper off the spare room wall and spilled molasseS on the rug and dug a hole in the lawn. But will
 say he knows how to treat animals.
 The dogs fond of him, so are the
 cats, and he doesn't chase the chick ens He had a scrap with boy
 down the road. though"
 This scrap was of daily occurrence until Tom made the child tell the
 reason for it.
 "Wen," confessed little Henry. The always says he's glad he's got real mother of his own and don't have to live with an old aunt, and then l fight him."
 Sarah's pale face grew scarlet. | Next day she took Henry into the city and bought him a complete and l rradish outfit of clothing with her l own chicken and egg money.