The potters herald. [volume] (East Liverpool, Ohio) 1899-1982, 1939-08-24
THE NEIGHBOR'S
CHILDREN
LAURA GRAY

HIcdC WAS IIlc uiSIidy VI WIS. DIOWH
as she looked from the widow Of the
new house into which her family was
moving. Several small strangers were
romping over the furniture that had
just been taken from the van. With
muddy feet they clambered over
chairs, danced on a sofa, tilted
swinging mirror back and forth,
whooped, and ran about in great de-
light.
"Quick, Tom, help the movers to get
our things into the house before they
are ruined!" she begged her husband.
"Dear me, there are more children in
the next garden! Well never have a
moments peacew
"They are scamps, aren't they" the
man responded, "and so small!" Then
he went out to hurry their belongings
into the house.
The next morning those children
were there bright and early, eager to
make friends with the newcomers,
especially with the new little boy. For
did he not own a wonderful pedal car,
a large ball and tricycle.? And this
new little boy, Jimmy Brown, seemed
no less eager to play with them. But
later, when they had broken his tin
train and wouldn't let him have a turn
on his own scooter, he ran whimpering
to his mother.
She was exasperated, but being
newcomer, was unwilling to offend
these children's parents. So she mildly
suggested that Jimmy play inside,
thinking the visitors would take the
hint and go away.
But instead, "Hurrah, we'd like that
fine" they shouted, and in they tramp
ed; and they certainly had a rollicking
morning. -
Mrs. Brown sighed with relief when
long piercing call from somewhere
down the street had the magical effect
Of hurrying them home.
But, alas, they were soon back,
cheerful and vigorous as ever. They
swarmed in over the remnants of the
former tendant's flower beds-Of what
use would it be to think of making
garden ?-They peered and poked into
every corner, and Jimmy became SO
excited he couldn't finish his lunch; he
wanted to be with them.
Then one morning he was i'll; some
thing had to be done.
With apprehension the mother ran
to forestall those tireless feet patter-
ing so eagerly along the pavement.
How would the youngsters take the
rebuff ? Jimmy is ill today" she be-
gan. They stopped and looked up.
"He needs to be quiet. You must play
somewhere else."
A tall boy of six spoke. call right,
Mrs. Brown" he said, and all scamp
cred off. Where would they go?-
to tell their parents?
An hour later there came a timid
knock. Mrs. Brown opened the door
to group of sweet round faces. The
"big" boy spoke again. Heres fun
ny paper and candy sucker-with
only little bit gone-for Jimmy, be-
cause he can't play"
"That is very kind Of YOU" Mrs.
Brown felt catch in her throat. They
tiptoed away.
The boys illness demanded weeks
quarantine. The mother explained and
told the children not to come into the
garden. They never did but brought
little gifts each day and talked over
the fence.
Owe discovered" Mrs. Brown said
to her husband, many days later, "that
children don't take hints, but they un-
derstand and like plain speaking. Now,
when l would rather these boys and
girls did not come in, l tell them so
pleasantly, and they don't come. And
if when they are at our house they
refuse to do what l ask, l send them
home. There is no resentment. AS for
Jimmy, he's so much happier than
when he played alone. You have no.
ticed how he is developing. He has
more self confidence and courage and
is a much better sport, and | feel sure
it is largely result of the companion
ship of his little friends"