The Bennington evening banner. (Bennington, Vt.) 19??-1961, 1922-09-18
well as In her home.

well as In her home.
When the twins were three and II
half years old, 1t happened that Tom
kins, being nj home for a brief yaca-
tlon, and Sallle due at an important
meeting ut the club, had been assigned
the care Of his boys.
TOmklns was astOunded Mt finding
Dayy and Dot covered with molasses
The maid having left them a moment
they made quick work Of upsettlng
the sticky fluid, each smearlng the
other.
Bewildered, lneredulous Tomklns
saw Sallie anxiously consulting her
wrist watch. She saw the hour OF
her club meeting approaching. With
an amused survey Of the submerged
mOlasses-coyered twins she saw them
being treated to first aid by their ia
Their, tossed him kiss, saying. you'll
see that those boys will never again
touch molasses. By-bye."
Away she went and was on time
dlscharglng her duties at the club to
the last systematlzed detail. And
poor TOmkins and the maid scraped
cleaned and comforted as best they
could the unhappy twins.
At six o'clock every night the boyG
were marched to their beds.
Early in babyhood days they had
realized the indomitable power Of
their mothers system So they grew
by rule, like little soldiers When
they were several years older Mr..
Tomkns ceased demonstrating with
the author of the system. Her stere0.
typed reply to some Of the feeble pro-
tests had been:
"Let the boys get into mischief, and
the unpleasant results will teach
them to avoid mischief"
Tomklns gradually reused himself
to high pitch of Indignation at the
system seemingly too formidable for
home rule II might do very well in
business.
So time wore on untll-dld you ever
bear of a boy who was lnsensble 10
the lure of the circusf
Sallie emphatically said mo" to
their pleadings. She had a dressmaker
md could not be away.
Tomkins visited the private school
where Davy and Dot were drowsily
unlnterested in their work He called
Miss Prlm from the classroom and de
manded his boys.
demonstrating, Miss Prlm said,
"But Mrs. Tomklns' system"
she was interrupted by Tomkins,
"ltang the systeml Excuse me, Miss
Prlm send the boys out here"
In a few moments out came the
twins and he hurried them off to the
circus grounds.
The twins certainly had wonder.
full day, unalloyed by the system
They were late getting home. Their
mother had eaten In solitary state,
and retired to her den to await the
culprits.
In stalked the heroic father laugh
Ing almost naturally, two hungry
tired sons joined feebly In his mer-
riment. They consumed their meal in
great enjoyment
Now" cried the victorious father,
nov, what shall we say to map
The twins giggled. At that moment
their mother walked In, majestic,
pale.
"Peter Tomkins, do you realize
what liberty you took this after
noon, upsetting my systemT
No. yelled Peter, but let me tell
you, Sarah Tomkins, I've overthrown
your system. What's more, hang your
systemw
"Oh-oh-" walled the crestfallcr
Sarah.
These boys are going to be boys,
end not automatic boys. Look at them,
Sallle Look at me, for your system
exists no longer for them or for their
father Don't cry, Salle, You had
to learn your lesson. So had |. Now,
boys, run up to bed. Next year well
take your ma