The Hardin tribune-herald. [volume] (Hardin, Mont.) 1925-1973, 1934-10-12
Publshed ~ Special Amusement with The
onauaso Trxbune-New York News Syndicate,

AA6IN1lAA D1vO 8ONN xAAA~
-RANGEMENTS-BUT THEY had
NOT ANTICIPATED THE REAC-
TION OF THEIR CHILDREN
TO A HOUSE DIVIDED.
At ten O'Clock Mrs. Porter went into
the sitting room to practice. It was q
sweet June morning; all the windows
stood open and the light wind fluttered
the curtains, stirred the petals Of the
yellow roses in the Chinese bowl. She
loved this room, always q little dim,
with its fine old parquet floors, the
white woodwork, the shelves and shelves
Of books, the rosewood piano. She low
ed the summer weather, too; she went
to the window for another look at her
garden.
But her blithe mood was disturbed by
the sight of James sitting on the front
steps doing nothing at all, a thin, wiry
little boy of eleven with untidy black
hair and a freckled face.
James, dear" she said, cant you
find something to doom Saturday
morning? I should think there'd be
50 many things"
waiting for Steve" he said briefly.
Where is Steve?"
Feeding the puppy"
why don't you help him?"
Its his turn!" said James with
vehemence.
But I should think it would be fun"
Mrs. Porter began, and stopped.
She did not wish to acknowledge, even
to herself, that she was disappointed.
She had thought they we're going to
be so wonderfully happy here in the
house she had lived in as a child. She
had thought it must seem almost like
heaven here for children who knew
only a city apartment and summer
hotels. She had fitted up their rooms
with such care; she had bought them
q puppy, a tent, bicycles, everything she
could thing of to make them happy.
Even the school was a very modern
one, with almost no home work, and
the most interesting sort of classes in
Woodworking and constructive craft
When they had come here a month ago
she had talked to the children about 1t.
There are only a few weeks left be-
fore the school Closes" she had said,
but I thought that if you went now
you'd make friends, and it would be
pleasanter next year. But you can de-
eide for yourselves"
They had instantly decided in favor
Of school, but to her disappointment
they had shown no further enthusiasm
and they brought no friends home with
them. She had thought that this old
house she so loved would be alive with
young voices; that her boys would ex-
pand wonderfully in this new freedom.
Steve came around the corner of the
house, and Mrs. Porter sighed at the
sight Of him.
But thirteen's just an awkward age"
she told herself loyalty.
He vas tall for his age, and lanky,
and he did SLOUGH so; no matter what
clothes she bought for him they looked
M-fitting. Moreover, he had acquired
q new manner, an air of weary pa
tience, of resigned superiority.
20, all right" he would say to her
most tactful suggestion. "Whatever
you say 49,"
And yet, in spite Of his SLOUGH, his
infuriating manner, he had retained his
inexplicable charm, something wistful,
gently, intolerably touching. James had
q quiet assurance; James was calmly at
home in the world, but Steve was al
ways an alien, dazed, a little resent
full.
II wonder if they understand Steve
at school," she thought.
He sat down on the steps beside his
brother; they gave no more attention
to each other than two young animals;
In moving, James elbow struck his
brothers shoulder, but neither of them
paid the least notice. Then suddenly
James leaned forward and began to
whisper; Steve listened with frowning
attention.
''Sure?" he asked.
TRY i'll" said James and passed
something which Steve put into his
mouth. Suddenly he sprang up, spit
ting wildly.
%, my good Lord!" he shouted. 20,
suffering cat. o."
What Is it?" cried Mrs. Porter,
alarmed, and as no one answered she
hurried to the door and went out on
the veranda. Steve had disappeared
around the corner of the house and
James stood there with a look of
thoughtful pleasure on his face.
james," she said sternly, what did
you give your brother to eat?"
%, 1t was just q funny kind Of a
leaf" James answered casually.
"A leaf? What leaf? James, don't you
realize--?"
well. it didn't kill me-" said James,
slightly alarmed now. 1T Just sort Of
burns your tongue. Heyl There's the
postman! I'll get your letters"
He darted off down the hill and Mrs.
Porter went to look for Steve. She found
him in the back garden eating an ap-
pie.
Steve" she said, you're old enough
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