The Glenwood post., 1923-07-05
Had

this, your get me going. too. Had
YOU ever thought Of that7 Now, when
things don't go the way want EN-
to-like this afternoon, for instance
II I got mad as you do. and struck
out at ev'rything round. do you know
what 1t would mean to your
Lettie's face whitened; the color
dropped out Of her lips; her black
ewes grew wild with fright you
mean-you'd send me-awayT The
words came slowly out Of her terror.
"Wouldn't If l acted the way
you act?'
Lettie's body swayed. Her lids
futtered. In the few weeks that she
had been in this house, she had at
tached herself to Mrs. Penfield with
doglike devotion. All the rich af-
fection in her nature, held in check
for want of an outlet, had poured out
to this woman who had fed and
clothed and loved her. Lettie idolized
her; she would have walked straight
to destruction for her II occasion had
offered. She would not have shrunk
from the high. spectacular deed of
sacrifice; but the more difficult,
humble matter Of controlling her own
temper, had been too much for her
to compass. Yet not once had 1t oc-
Cured to her that she might be jeop-
ardizing this new home, that there
might be an end to the patience that
had borne with her.
20 Penzie!" She threw herself into
Mrs. Penfleld's lap and burst into wild
sobbing.
Mrs. Penfield drew her closer.
Dear child, I didn't say was going
to send you away. l merely said I
should if l acted the way you do.
Don't you see you expect me to be
patient but you amt willing to be
patient yourself? You're willing
should do lots of things for you, but
you amt willing to do this one thing
for me. All is, Lettie, we got to. pull
together-or not t all. I'll help you
If you'll help me-"
30 Penzie." sobbed the child, "I1l
do anything -anything-if you'll only
keep me. Honest, I will. I'll work
and pay for the window. III go with
out eating just as longs you say.
won't play with FIJI Caesar I'll"
Mrs. Penf1eld interrupted before
Lettie had wiped the slate entirely
ever known.
Sure. Well attend to all the pun
lshing for this time; but the main
point is, what will you do the next
time you get mad? VIII you try to
control yourself and keep calmY'
The child looked up through stream
ing tears. II will, honest" she gulped.
"I'll do that very thing, so help me
Jacob I'm going to be so good that
| you'll want to keep me-darned If I
aintv'
"Now you're talking" encouraged
Mrs. Penfeld, with a brighter e1-
preston. "And I'm going to make it
as easy for you as L can. I'm going
to make you temper gong right
away"
Lettie dried her eyes. whats a
temper gongY'
| 1Ou WHICH, duu yOu II Ilu oul.
Mrs. Penfield went over to the cor
ner where the firewood was drying
and picked out piece Of board that
had knot-hole In one end. Passing
heavy twine through the knot-hole.
she hung the board on the wall. From
the cupboard she produced toy
rolling-pin that had been given to
C,.;,, I,
of it. This she hung also, suspending
1t by longer piece of twine beside
the board.
''There you are" she announced to
the watchful Lettie. You try this.
and bet it'll help. Now, whenever
you feel yourself getting mad, you run
right in here and pound that board
with this here rolling-pin. Try 1t fifty
times; and If your arm amt tired
then, do 1t hundred. It's strange
thing, but If you get your muscles
good and tired. you get over being
angry right away. Here in the kitchen
I guess you won't disturb the neigh
bors-they make considerable noise
themselves - and pears like you'll
have to hit something for while till
you learn better"
Lettie, being now very mellow
looked upon this ARRANGEMENT with
favor.
Now Lettie, II you get mad again,
fore you do anything t all. will you
remember to say, Excuse me, I got
an engagement In the kitchen?"
Lettie gulped and capitulated.
"Yes'm," she promised. "Tll bet l
won't want tol but, by jingoes, I'll
do it"
ITO be continuet>