Milford chronicle., 1939-11-03
THE NEIGHBORS' CHILDREN
Laura Gray

Great was the dismay of Mrs.
Brown as she looked from the win
dow 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 a swinging mirror back
and forth, whOoped, and ran about in
great delight.
Quick, Tom, help the movers to
get our things into the house before
they are ruined," she begged her hus
band. Dear me. there are more chill
dren in the next garden! Well never
have moments peace!"
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
we're 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 a 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 turn ON his own scooter,
he ran whimpering to his mother.
She was exasperated, but being a
newcomer, was unwilling to offend
these children's parents. So she
mildly suggested that Jimmy play in
side. thinking the visitors would
take the hint and go away.
But instead. "Hurrah. we'd like
that tine!" they shouted. and in they
tramped and they certainly had a
rollicking morning.
Mrs. Brown sighed with relief
when long piercing call from some
where down the street had the magi-
cal effect of hurrying them home
But, alas. they were soon back.
cheerful and vigorous as ever. They
:warmed in over the remnants of the
former tenants flower beds.-Of
what use would it be to think of
making a 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 ill;
something 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 i'll 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 "All right. I
Mrs. Brown" he said. and all scam
rered off. Where would they go?- .
tc tell their parents?
An hour later there came a timid
knock. Mrs Brown opened the door
to a group of sweet round faces. The
big" boy spoke again. Here's u
funny paper and a candy sucker
with only little bit gone-for jim
my. because he cant play"
That is very kind OF you" Mrs.
Brown felt a catch in her throat.
They tiptoed away.
The boys illness demanded a weeks
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.
I've discovered" Mrs. Brown said
10 her husband many days later.
that children don't take hints, but
they understand and like plain speak
ing. Now, when would rather these
boys and girls did not come in, | tell
them so, pleasantly. and they don't
come. And if when they are at our
house they refuse to do what | ask,
send them home. There is no re-
sentiment. AS for Jimmy. he's so
much happier than when he played
alone. You have noticed how he is
developing. He has more self-confi-
1ence and courage and is a much
better sport, and l feel sure it is
a. gely a result of the companionship
)f his little friends"