New Britain herald., 1924-02-29
Mrs. Bird showed She Knew How
 to Handle Children

With the exception of Rodcrick who shrank a bit closer to me, the three Harrison children turned ques- tioning but eager eyes upon me at Mrs. Birds invitation 10 go into her
 ,itchen and sample her sugar cookies while l attended 10 driving the car inside. It was but another instance of their dead mothers rigid train ing, which despite its lack of the human mothcring touch they so sorely needed, yet had produced sev- eral admirable results. One of these was caution us they now eVinced. There would be no danger of any one of the four being enticed away by q stranger, Palpably they were all attracted by the programme so inyitingly set forth by Mrs. Bird, but not one of them would accept it until had set the seal Of my ap- probation upon it.
 That will be delightful" I pro- nounced prominently. Go to Mary, Roderick, and she will take you where the cookies are
 There was no further hesitation, RodericB skipped to Mary's side. and as I made my way out of the door l had just entered, the children joy ously followed Mrs. Bird out of an- other. Remembering Roderick's inn perious demands for sliding down stairs and jumping up and down, to which his Aunt Harriet had been forced to accede because of our fear of attracting attention to our eXpedi- fion. l covered the distance to the gate rapidly. anxious to put his aunt's authority over the small boy as soon as possible.
 Edwin alighted as he saw me com ing. and held the door open for me in most approved chauffeur style.
 The Motorcycle officer
 Tt evidently is the right house." he said, smiling as I climbed 10 my place behind the wheel. Shall open the gates?"
 Please" l replied. "In back right along here until l get to them."
 Road all clear behind" he said with quick sweeping glance. Not even a stray bicycle, nor a pedes- trian."
 I backed and turned toward the gate, but before had passed through il, l heard the exhaust of motorcycle, and a traffic officer passed Us, slowing up perceptibly as he did so. He did not stop, however, and when Edwin had closed the gates behind me, and jumped upon the running board Of the car which held waiting for him, the putt-putt of the officers cycle was dying away down the street
 "Did--he-look Us oyer--as--if--' l faltered,
 "Hc looked searchiugly at the car, 1 eertainulN" Edwin replied gravoly: l that is, hc looked at the license plate. Bat that does not mean any thing, lie probably has been given 1 the number Of some speeding car which had caused an accident and is looking for it."
 The explanation was a most plaus- iblc one, and l tried to think no more of tho accident Imt while l achieved an outward calmness or i drmcanor when. after putting the i ear in the garage, ushcrud Edwin |. and Harriet into the house. my nerves felt as if they were banjo 1. strings which some rough, inoNpcri- enced hand was twanglng furiously. l
 I;mlcIiek On a Rampage
 The outside door was not locked . indeed. 1t was triile clear. and i knowing that Mrs. Bird was busy with the children in the kitchen [. did not wait to knock. but pushed | the door open and entered. As We did SO. VIC heard q sound or yelling i. from the -Rodcrick's voice l and Harriet started toward tho