The Waterbury Democrat., 1937-12-27
Latest Styles
.BhNEENIb
 Your Children
By Olive Roberts Barton


 Johnny was very happy with his soap.box sled. He thought the red galluses that held up his worn cor. duroy pants the slickest possession a boy could have. Up above the shed that joined his gFandmothers house in the country, he had . little heaven of his own. There lived his pet bunny, and there he kept in the old broken chest, such loot as rusty flshhooks and bits of shiny stone.
 The other boys down the road envied John his own retreat, and openly admired his treasures. Sometimes they swapped, but no one ever dared to suggest trad- ing blue galluses for red, as these were the equivalent or an academy ribbon or a royal star. Aunt Jennie had sent these color fui suspenders from Hillvale for the boys birthday. They just fitted, while most of the other lads wore straps cut down from their fathers old ones. By divine right, so 1t seemed, our small friend was leader in the country school
 To New Life
 Then Granny died, and Johnny was transferred to city where his uncle lived. He was received warmly and made welcome, but his aunt gave her husband Q look that said quite plainly, we cant let this child be seen until we get him some decent clothes. Those red suspenders will 60 first of all, and hereafter he will wear . belt" first in his new home. It spelled magic and adventure, and, as H fine way with children, he thought of it ail as an interlude. He found school trying, however, and the other children laughed at ms od9 ways, The way he said "daown for down sent them into fits, and the way he wrote his capitals, with fiourishes instead of their own clipped straight way, caused titters and grimaces. .o
 Daily he became more unhappy. He was no longer important; he was no longer even Q member. He stood alone. And so alone. He wanted to put on his old pants and the red suspenders With the white elastic near the buttonholes. He missed his stones and fish hooks, and above all his rabbit. He wanted back Grandma who thought he was the best boy on earth, not c lot of people who were trying to make him over and giving each other looks.
 A Bond Between Them
 one day c great man came to dinner. He was his uncle's boss and great was the fussing ana preparation. Johnny was permit ted to sec him for 0 minute before going to bed. He had been prifned in conduct. MT. Smith took him on his knee, and said, T know you are too big to nurse, but I have no children and l never get chance to hold Q nice boy. want to talk to you, lad.
 DO you like 1t here ifl town2 How do they treat you at school2 It isn't the same as the country, is 1t? am c country boy. l never loved the city as we'll"
 Something clicked then and there with Johnny. Did you ever wear rcd galluses7" he asked abe ruptly. "H have Q pair"
 Mfr Smith merely pulled back his dinner coat. There the startled eyes of his host and hostess, be- held red braces. "They are my proudest possession. I wear them to remind me of happy days" ho said.
 Johnny went to bed, his heart singing. All his troubles seemed to melt. one small thing had tied the past to him forever. He could go on now. Somebody under- stood.
 (Copyright, 1887, NEA Service, 1nc.)