The Key West citizen. [volume] (Key West, Fla.) 1879-current, 1939-06-27

1890 tEts>~ 49, NNts~s@ ~ ~ w. AS~ea~
the M1cks.
Chapter 81
Problems OF ParenthoOd
At THE end OF the week Tally
"A informed the family over mid
day dinner that Bob was born
farmer.
Bob's face glowed with pleasure.
I'm really happy for the first time
IN my life he told them with sim-
pie sincerity. Il guess I'm sort of
fhroWback or something like that.
1 like digging in the ground and
watching things grow: like milk
ing cows and feeding chickens. /
like going to bed early and getting
up early. / like plain. solid food
with no trimmings s.. and ! love
my new family ] feel now as If !
never wanted to live differently.
I'm content If Gretchen is. Are you,
Gretchen
"I'm happy if you are" she said.
aBut wouldn't you like to travel?
Have furs and Jewels and things
like that9" he persisted. I'm not
doing anything for you. ! didn't
even take you On a honeymoon"
A shadow darkened her face.
I've travelled enough. This is what
want, Bob. Those other things
well, I've never had them and you
can't miss what you've never had. |"
# you did want them I'd get
them for you, Gretchen"
Her fingers caressed his cheek.
Il know you would, darling, but
trying to do it would make you so
miserable that there would be no
happiness for either of us. No. Bob.
this is best.
Gramp, endeavoring to eat corn
on-the-cob with his store teeth, !"
looked up long enough to say, For
woman, Gretchen. you got lot
o. sense!"
Betsy wriggled out Of her high
chair and scrambled up on Bob's
lap. Mister Bob mean. Daddy
member once you promised me
ice-cream if didn't do something
naughty"
He poked a finger through one
of her long black curls, his smile
indulgeTlt. What is the naughty
thing you want to do. Betsy?"
Her eyes snapped with impish
promptings. 4 won't tell"
'iBiackmail. chr"
Huh-uh. Ice cream. StraWber-
ry ice-crearn, ] think"
Tally started to say something,
reconsidered. closed his mouth.
Bob had taken Betsy over as his
Job now. II he wasn't yet aware Of
what a little mink she was, he soon
would learn. Tally relaxed and lit
q cigarette.
Bob adiudged from the silence
that he was being Wordlessly
handed the reins for this alert
small colt he had acquired. Very
solennly he tilted her rosy face
and said: "You mustn't do naughty
things, Betsy, whether you get ice
cream or not.
"Why?"
Because - well --a he found
cred, his eyes beseeching Tally's.
Because If you're q bad girl
you'll be punished" her uncle
stated.
whats punished mean?" she
demanded. "Spanked2"
Exactly
Hot Water
CHE SNUGGLED closer to Bob
- and poked out her tongue at
Tally. You can't boss me any more
at ALL" she declared. 'T've got a
new daddy and he won't let you
spank me. Will you, Daddy?"
Bob writhed with embarrass-
ment. THE water Is getting too hot
for me. Tally"
'sWhat water? / don't see any
water" Betsy complained. Tally
can't spank me. can he? Can her"
Gretchen stepped into the
breach. "Of course he can. Betsy.
You have to mind everybody in
our family and Bob is not going to
spoil you
The child's lower Lip protruded.
He promised me ice-cream to be
goodp she walled.
And you may have all the ice
cream you want If you're q good
girl all the time" Bob promised
rashly.
saThen want some now, Daddy
Not now, Betsy. Your Uncle
Tally and ] have a lot Of work to
do and ! can't take you into town
today
''Then I'll be naughty" she de-
clared, stiffening.
Then you viii be punished
Bob said firmly. stNow give me a |
kiss and let's forget the whole
thing"
NO." she pouted. I'm mad at |
you and you'll be sorry.
Tally said. Belts. il you don't |
keep quiet I'll put you in bed and
you'll have to stay there all after
noon. Come on. Bob. lets get
going"
When the two men had left |
Gretchen said to her mother. 81
never could make her mind, Mama.
Neither could you. Gramp spoiled |
her rottenl It's all his fault she's
~. II Il 81