The Coolidge examiner., 1930-12-19
Mother Mapped Out
Peters Career
By T. M. JACKSON

iZed diets and private kindergar-
tens. but as Peter grew into
sturdy boyhoOd there arose the vi
tai question of what he was going
to make of himself.
When he was due to graduate
from an expensive and exclusive
prep school his mother went on to
it for commencement. Also, to con-
suit about her son with the men
who had been his guides, philoso-
piers and presumably friends. Sure
ly, they would have detected in her
Peter some bent, some flair which
indicated the line along which he
should be trained.
When she put the problem to
Peters mathematics instructor,
that gentleman considered a mo-
ment before replying. Then, "For-
give me, Mrs. Gray" he said gently.
But really your boy hasn't brains
enough TO run a stop watch. Don't
think | don't like Peter. l do. He
simply hasn't any brains.'
Taken rather aback-as who
wouldn't have been-Peter's mother
still hoped that the boys English
teacher would offer something more
encouraging.
HAS my son any inclination for
-er-writing or, possibly, poetry"
she began.
This time the answer was prompt
enough. Writing, Madam? PO-
etry? That most delicate of the
arts? Lord, no! | like Peter i'm
mensely. But there is nothing of
the artist about him."
Mrs. Gray made one more try,
TEL me-" she pleaded of Jake
Crowley, the athletic coach, sis
my boy good at sports?"
Jake threw back his massive
head. Lord love you, Mrs. Gray!
Your Peter can't remember the diff
ference between hold and a
tackle, home run or touchdown! !
But he makes a fine figure in run
ming pants or plus fours and, gosh.
how the girls adore him.!
When Peters mother reached
home, she told an intimate friend
that her trip had proved invaluable
inasmuch as it showed her unmis-
takably that for which her boy was
most fitted. What that was she
neglected to say, but the friend
gathered that Peters future would
be shaped accordingly.
And so it was. Peter was sent
to a fashionable college with plenty
of money and smart wardrobe.
During his vacation his mother
entertained for him lavishly, includ-
ing among other young buds of the
season, Miss Patty Gale, whose ia
ther had recently made a few mil
lions in furs.
Peter had always known Patty,
but there had been a time when
Mrs. Gray thought the Gales cut
beneath her.
Certainly, when home, Peter
fairly lived at the Gales, and when
his Junior prom loomed in the off
ing, he promptly invited the whole
Gale family to it.
Mrs. Gray, who had gamely stood
the cost of box, taxis, flowers, and
what not, was frankly disappointed
when nothing evidently came of it.
She tried Peter out after the dance
itself when full moon, lantern
lighted campus, and the seductive
waltZes of a metropolitan orches-
ira might reasonably be supposed
to have got in their romantic
work.
Patty is a fine girl, Peter"
"Sure is" said Peter carelessly.
Deserves a good husband"
"Righto, ma mere. Got any
cigarettes? Oh, forgot you don't
smoker
"Peter-don't be horrid" Mrs.
Gray had learned nothing for her
pains.
She did not go on for her sons
commencement. 1t was great blow
when she knew that Peter would
not receive a diploma. He had made
q fraternity-one of the best-and
had invited his mother to pour
at the commencement week tea.
But. although the Gales were going
Ell masse, Peters mother staye1
home.
She was totally unprepared for
bis bursting in upon her a DAY
ahead of his expected arrival.
Had to dash right home to tell
you, mother!" he cried, grabbing
her in his arms and dancing her
around in spite of herself. I'm en-
gagged! Pm engaged"
"Oh, Peter!" said Mrs. Gray
feebly. Then, spurred by one last
hope, sis it Patty"
Patty? My eye, no! She's been
married three months to my room
mate, but they kept it secret so he
could graduate. No, stree. To the
finest little girl in the world. None
other than Patty's little sister Cath
ieen!"
To this day Mrs. Gray doesn't
know whether the credit of Peters
marriage should be laid at her door
or not. Surely, if Peter had not
been thrown so much with Patty he
would not have come in contact
with Patty's pretty, clever little
sub-deb sister. And surely Mrs.
GRAY would never have thrown him
with Patty had she not made up
her mind at Peters prep school
commencement that the only career