The Rathdrum tribune. (Rathdrum, Idaho) 1903-1963, 1923-11-16
Father and
Child
BY MYRA CURTIS LANE


60, 1923. Western Newspaper Union.)
John BRENNAN had written TIL
= he was coming home. He had askt
his wife to take him back and give hi
another chance. Elsie had consente
for the sake Of the child, little Dol
And while she sat waiting for hS
husbands return she wondered whetl
er she had done right. Was 1t bette
for Don to grow Up subject to her HUI,
bands influence, or fatherless?
1t isn't as IL Johns bad man." sh
told herself. He's just not fit to b,
husband, that's all. suppose man!
+ men are that way. l guess, too, man,
women aren't fit to be wives
And she looked at the child, playing
on the porch, in dread that some OF
Johns qualities would develop In him
John Brennan was generous-to q
fault. Elsie counted that as one of
his virtues. And he was kind.
She could not imagine him kicking
stray dog or flashing horse, or
turning down friend In need. But
ne was always In need himself. He
couldn't save money, provide.
Mummy, give me a quarter" Don
came running up to her.
why, my dear, 1 gave you a quarter
yesterday. What have you done with
itT
"Oh. I gave 1t to an old beggar-
man who sits outside the school. His
wife's very sick, Mummy"
Elsie choked with emotion. THAT
was good, thoughtful boy-if his wife
Is really SICK" she said. II like you
TO be generous with your money. Here's
another quarter for YOU"
She resumed her scrutiny Of John.
He had-well. fiendish temper. That
couldn't be gainsaid. They had rows
and Quarrels every day. Now that she
vas taking him back there would be
,uarreIs-
Don, come away from that fence !"
Mummy, he said his daddy's richern
nine"
Never mind. don't you take any
office. Come awayp
But the argument between Don and
ne boy over the fence had already de-
eloped beyond the range of words.
here they stood, punching at each
Tiers faces like two Trojans, until,
receipt Of blow that drew blood |
ON his nose, the other boy ran
'reaming from the scene Of combat.
Elsie hurried to the triumphant Don.
lou are wicked boyl" she painted. 4;
Mummy, he said you were an aban- {
med wife. He said that's what his
ummy was saying yesterday"
She bit her lips angrily. So that was 4
lat people were saying about her. 4
Is I'll Well, they'd know better soon. n
e was glad she had taken John back. {
She thought Of him almost with ten
rness. How would his influence at e
It Don? Dear Don, with his high
r1ts OF chivalry. He had stood I'D a
his mother; she hadn't the heart to ! n
Id him any more. fl
sut how. long would John remain at W
ne? That was the worst part OF Il
}, that ineradlcable tendency to h,
nder. He was always rushing away. IA
some pretex or Other-he never Fl
Z position long. If It hadn't been in
her money they could never have so
laged to exist. he
he telephone rang. Elsie hurried oh
de. The communication was from ap
principal Of the school that Don
nded. Elsie listened to her COM at
Mt. Don had played truant the dsy tn,
re. 1t was not the first time il had &c,
pened. This time the complaint Th
accompanied by threats. Yes. EI- cir
promised to speak to the boy. She TOT
Id speak to him severely. - {
Jon, come here!'' co,
came to her, still flushed from his pof
unter. What IL it, Num- mi,
ION, did you play truant yesterday? Cha
% 49,,
", Mum, 1t was such a fine day VIII,
l wanted to see II there were any era
on the trees" bef,
ere she had it. Any nuts on the A
. How foolish and inconsequen- aste
And how like Johnl Were his ex- him
any better? noli
suddenly she saw, with a gasp the
lazement, that John and Don were new
e each other as two peas in q pod. geri
NC qua'''ies that she condemned idol.
r husband were those she loved 9,
0. All the things in Don she liked cort
those she condemned in John. and
,,n. 49, ing lean.ation an over Sigh
,n iof aohn came ant.
Ter. The child was father Of the rh
no cons;d.-.ta -. one must read
rro win 'onn' more eyes.
was coming up the lawn. He for j.,
with q shame-faced look. She hts ;,
meet him, threw her arms round ~,
ck UIohn L. TN