Montana oil and mining journal. [volume] (Great Falls, Mont.) 1931-1953, 1938-03-12

very pefSonlicaJlon OF the stern parent
IN an old melodrama. Jane and Leila
Sat down on the couch little weakly,
Sloe by side, hands clasped, and Dom
aid lowered over them.
No one is accusing YOU he said to
Jane, sternly but quietly. Now tell
your mother exactly what has hap
pened since you left here. Pull yourself
together, jamie. And try and make
oh, daddy-we told you'll Listen.
mother" It was all incoherent, but
they finally got the story straight.
The four youngsters had gone to the
Red Barn to dance a little while.
Cheesie said his parents went there
sometimes and Jane knew hers did,
so they thought It was all right They
ordered soft drinks and sandwiches
and danced. 1t was such a swell placel
Only some Of the people looked funny
Then that tough Spike waldron that
got expelled from high school last year
came and asked Jane to dance. He had
been drinking, although Jane said she
didn't know it, but the boys said So
Cheesie told Spike Jane wasn't dane
ing with anyone. Then Spike asked
Lyde and Bob told him the same thing.
Then Spike told them he'd get even
with them-they couldn't high-hat
him. So he went out They STAYED q
little while and watched the crowd.
But it was so expensive. so they left.
When they got outside. Cheesie's car
was gone. They looked all around They
asked the doorman. He thought Spike
Waldron had driven it away. Cheesie
said Spike wouldn't steal his cart
wasn't worth Stealing-he would prob
q ffrr r.a-lr - rff.n.rfafc
home, He would think that was funny.
Well, they didn't know what TO do.
The boys had is cents Cheesie went
back inside and tried to telephone. He
called his house and Lyde's. and their
own. Mrs. Sinms must have had a
pillow over her head-She didn't, an
swer the telephone. So Cheesie called
couple Of boys he knew, but he didn't
have any luck getting hold Of them
SO the nickelS were gone. No one
seemed to care what happened to them
It was after midnight and they we're
II miles from home.
Cheesie said the best thing to do was
to start walking. He figured one Of
their fathers would be hunting them.
Mrs Simms knew where they we're.
So they started to walk and they
walked all the wayl Twice cars had
offered the girls ride, but they didn't
have room for all four Of them and
Cheesie and Bob thought the girls had
better walk with them than go In any
car with strangers.
After a while there weren't many
cars on the road, except cars that Just
flew by fast, and seemed to think they
were holdups, or something. They had /
walked and walked James slippers (
we're simply gone and her feet hurt 4
nd mt nrfA orr@ Elrsn FssFf ]
his coat around her. Daddy had picked (
them up at the edge Of town and /
taken them all home. Only, 1t wasn't /
right for daddy to speak to Cheesie so. !
Because Cheesie had been Just wonder /
full. He had been so brave and calm !
and helped Jane over all the puddles /
and kept them all cheered up.
And Jane added, with an ingenious
ness that was like blow to Leila.
1--WE didn't mean to worry you be-
cause we thought we'd be home long
before you were, anyhow"
'sYou understand" Donald said. ''that I
you have home where you can dance,
md you can go TO private parties when
FOUR mother approves. But you are not
10 20 to roadhouses. And you are not |
20 90 out without permission. and I'M
less we know just where you are going.
Eyes. daddy. I won't, ever again"
you have given your mother great
fright. Now, go to bed. Wen say no
more about this. AS for the way SPOKE
% Cheesie-don't you worry about
hat He'll be here in the morning
apoIogizing for getting you into such
/ predicament. If he isn't. I'll talk
wen worse TO him. You were all very
ucky that nothing more serious hap
0ened Now-go to bed and forget II"
Oonald's voice was rough. Jane rose
md put her arms around his neck and
Iissed him.
I'm sorry. daddy" she said humbly.
Leila saw to It that Jane had a good
lot bath and hot lemonade to ward off
cold. She tucked her in, already al
most asleep, and kissed her several
lines. IN their own room, Leila found
Donald sitting on his side Of the bed