Milford chronicle., 1927-07-08
Home Education
HIS HOUR OF NEED
S. E. McCahey

Mrs. Dunn, a young married wo-
man in her twenties, sat sewing OIL
her piazza one hot day in June wait
ing for her siX-year-old son to come
home from school. Here he was
now!
Coming down the street was a
sturdy little figure hurrying along,
seemingly intent on his destination.
"'Lo, Ma" said Tommy Dunn
soberly to his mother as he climbed
the piazza steps.
Hello, Sonny" was the smiling
response. did you have a good
day." To her surprise her small son
passed quickly into the house.
She was about to follow when two
boys, little older than Tommy,
passed by the gate and looked i'm
pudently at Mrs. Dunn.
'Guess he won't tie a can to Mrs.
Greene's Pomeranian again." said
one in a loud voice.
So that was it, That was the rea-
son Tommy had gone into the house
so quickly. After all she had told
him about keeping away from the
Putnam boys, here he was again
mixed up with them in a scrape
about which they wanted her to
know.
She hurried into the house and
found Tommy lying face downward
on the bed.
Tommy" she began severely,
haven't l told you time and time
again to keep away from those Put
nam boys? Answer mel"
Eyes, Mother" muttered Tommy.
PomeranianT
Tommy dug his face into the bed
clothes and said nothing.
Just wait until your father comes
home
MAY 1 come in, Mrs. Dunn?" a
voice called from the other side of
the screen door.
20, Miss Brent, am glad to see
you" and Mrs. Dunn hastened to
open the door to Tommy's teacher
who must pass their gate on her
way to and from school. "I've Just
been scolding Tommy for being with
Ine FuCnam boys"
Lets talk on the piazza" said
Miss Brent quietly and both women
left the room.
Miss Brent began the conversa-
ton.
"The Putnam boys caught Mrs.
Greene's Pomeranian and asked
Tommy to hold it, for some reason
or other, and when he was doing so,
they tied the can to the dogs tail
and then showed him out of Tommy's
arms. The dog ran away"
"Why didn't Tommy tell me?''
asked the eXasperated mother.
Miss Brent continued.
\ 81 have seen Tommy try to avoid
those boys without getting into
trouble, but they contrive to get him
mixed up in all their mischief. They
swear him to secrecy, and, Mrs.
Dunn, those same boys have discov-
cred that you believe them when
they tell you what they wish about
Tommy. Can you understand the po-
sition in which they place Tommy
Miss Brent was hardly prepared
lOl IllC LlONO IOluiuy Ouuu 5 LuOIu6I
made, but she sat there quietly as
Mrs. Dunn hastened out of the yard
and down the road to the Putnam's
where she told the whole story to
the Putnam boys mother who told
her she didn't believe a word she
said.
That was that! The mother who
had the whole neighborhood COM
planning about her boys, defended
them unheard, while the mother Of
one of the finest of boys had waver-
ed in her faith and understanding
Had her son sensed that? She al
most ran home.
Miss Brent didn't mind it bit
when Mrs. Dunn passed her on hel
way into. the house as though she
never existed, but she heard her:
Tommy. Sonny, always tell Mo
ther everything. No matter what il
said or done to you-tell Mother 81
as she'll understand. Mother is you
best friend, ever and always. I mus
thank Miss Brent
But Miss Brent had gone.