Sioux County pioneer., 1922-04-06

the bed that Tuesday morning, the
sight that met her eyes struck terror
to her heart. The bedclothes were
scattered In wild confusion half over
the room. The washbowl, with two
long singing books across 1t, she dis
covered to her horror. was serving as
prison for small green snake. The
Bible and the remaining hymn books,
topped by "Baxter's Saints Rest"
lay. in a suspicious-looking pile on the
floor. Under these Miss Wetherby did
not look. After her experience with
the snake and the wash bowl, her
nerves were not strong enough. She
rec0iled in dismay, also, from the
sight Of two yellow, paper-covered
books on the table, Haunting shame-
lessly the titles: "Jack the Pirate of
Red Island" and Haunted by a
Headless Ghost"
Ann Wetherby never forgot that
Fourth Of July, nor for that matter,
the days that Immediately followed.
She went about with both ears stuffed
with cotton, and eyes that were ever
on the alert for all manner of creep
ing, crawling things In which Bobby's
soul delighted.
The boy, reinforced by the children
Of the entire neighborhood, held cir
Gus in Miss Wetherby's woodshed, and
instituted Wild Indian camp in her
attic. The poor woman was quite
powerless, and demonstrated all in
vain. The boy was so cheerfully good
tempered under her sharpest words
that the victory was easily his.
But on Saturday when Miss Wether-
by, returning from neighbours, found
two cats. four dogs, and two toads
tied to her parlor chairs, together
with three cages containing respec-
lively canary, a parrot, and squir-
rel COLLECTED from obliging house
holds), she rebelled In earnest and
summoned Bobby to her side.
"Robert, I've stood all I'm a-goin'
ter. You've got to 60 home Monday.
Do you hear?"
"Oh, come off, Miss Wetherby, faint
only menag'ry, an you don't use
the room none."
Miss Wetherby's mouth worked con.
vulsively. Z
"Robert!" she gasped, as soon as
she could find her voice, II never, new
er heard Of such dreadful goin's-on!
You certainly can't stay here no long
err" she, continued sternly.
An hour later, Miss Wetherby had a,
caller. It was the chorister Of her
church choir. The man sat down gin
gerly on one Of the slippery haircloth
chairs, apd proceeded at once to state
his business. f4
II understand, Miss Wetherby, that
you have an-er-young singer with
you."
Miss wetherby choked, and STAN.
mered EYES,"
HE sings-er-very well, doesn't
he?"
The woman was still more visibly
embarrassed. @
"IEI don't know" she murmured;
then in stronger tones, ''The one that
looked like him did,"
"Are there two?" he asked in stupid
amazement.
Miss Wetherby laughed uneasily,
then she sighed.
swell, ter tell the truth, Mr.. Wig
gins, s-pose there amt; but some
times l think there must be. I'll send
Robert down ter the rehearsal tonight,
and you can see what We can do with
him." And with this Mr.. Virgins was
forced to be content.
Bobby sang on Sunday. The little
church was full to the doors. Bobby
was already famous in the village.
The wftchery Of the glorious voice
entered again into the woman's soul,
and indeed, sent the entire congrega-
tion home in an awed silence that
was the height Of admiring homage
AT breakfast time Monday morning,
Bobby came downstairs with his
brown paper parcel under his arm.
Ann glanced at his woeful face, then
went out into the kitchen and slammed
the oven door sharply.
swell, marin, I've had a bully time
-sure's gum" said the boy wistfully.
following her.
Robert" she began with assumed
sternless, trying to hide her depth Of
feeling, "you amt a-goin' home ter
.day-now mind what, I say! Take
them things upstairs, Quick-break-
fast's all ready!"
A great light transfgured Bobby's
face. He tossed his bundle into cor
ner and fell upon Miss Wetherby with
bearlike hug.
"Gee-whiz marm-but yer brick
An I'll run yer errands an split yer
wood, an won't take no dogs an
cats in the parlor, en- I'll do ev'rythin'
-ev'rythin' We want me to! Oh, golly
-golly I'm goin' ter stay-Tm goin'
ter stay-Im goin' ter stay!' And
Bobby danced out of the house into
the yard there to turn somersault after
somersault in hilarious glee.
A queer choking feeling came into
Ann Wetherby's throat. She seemed
still to feel the loving clasp Of those