The Washington herald. [volume], March 05, 1911, WOMAN'S SECTION, Image 26

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THE WASHINGTON HERALDt SUNDAY, MARCH 5, 1111
j.
PEGGY AND POUT AND
"OLD AUNT MARY".
$AT, girls. I've Juet received a letter
from your old Aunt Mary." It .-was
Mrs. Holcotub who spoke, and she
was addressing fcer two daughters,
Polly, aged 12 and Peer?, aged 14
"Sbe saya she's been quite 111 since the
spring set In. But I believe her lllneaa la
tlue to a strong Imagination. Ton know,
Annt Mary alwaya did think she wee
'delicate," aa ahe expreaaea her condition."
"yea, mamma, and that'a because ahe'a
ao much alone," declared Peggy". "Ever
since I can remember' ebe'a been ailing,
aud ever since I can remember, ahe'a
been living alone In that dreadful, dead
little postofflce town."
"Oh, how funny 'poatofflce townT "
cried Polly, laughingly. "But that really
describes Aunt Mary'e town to a T-'
There's not a bit of excitement there, ex
cept once a day at the postofflce when the
mall arrives by stage from Forest City.
And poor old Aunt Mary never goea to
the postofflce. She knows exactly when
to expect a letter from us, and she has
one, of her neighbors call for It Why,
..when I was there last summer I aon i
believe I told you about it. mamma
there was a whole week passed ny wiin
out Aunt Mary's leaving her own house
V, i look more
and yard When I asked her to go down
to the postofflce with me, she shook her
had. saying: "oh, everybody here thinks
I'm too 'U1 to le gadding about without
some object In view. Now. what should
t n i;- me to the postofflce. my child? I
don't expect any letters. And should
there be a paper or a letter for me, you'll
-'t It. and save rue the trouble of going
it
"Yes, Polly. I know Just bow queer and
sbioneu prujle become when they
r:::ttn in one tiny corner of the earth
to. long. And one is prone to become
morbid as well as In-hind the times. I
an: sorry old Aunt Mary's life 1 so col
oriess. I'm wondering If we couldn't In
due her to puy tis a visit. She hasn't
been lnr. since Polly was three."
-I wonder!" And Peggy wrinkled her
brows, thinking.
rapa
. . we
. . trot:
SI SaSJ e
wljj III
Our Puzzle Corner Ifl
A GOOD ADVICE REBUS.
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LETTER ENIGMA.
My first la in sunbonnet but not In hat.
My second Is in pantber, but not In cat;
My third !s in rain, but not In fall ;
My fourth is In bitter, but not In gall;
My fifth is In man, but not In boy.
My sixth is in game, but not In toy;
Mv -seventh is in thunder, bnt not in roar;
My eighth you have also found In my
four;
My ninth is in meat, bnt not In fish;
My tenth is in platter, bnt not In dish;
My whole is a season
We all dearly love;
You will know what It is
When you solve the above.
ADDITIONS.
1. Add a young goat to a light aleep
and get to abduct.
2. Add a piece of cured meat to an act
of derision and get a swinging summer
couch.
3. Add a girl's name to terra firms and
get the name of one of our statas.
4. Add a dark-colored garden vegeta
ble to small white grain which Is used
for food and get a girl's name.
TRANSPOSINGS.
1. Transpose a work engaged In by
farmers during harvest time and get a
aweet Juicy fruit
2. Transpose that which all artists do
and get a division in a hospital.
3. Transpose that which we see la
church architecture and get a bit of wood
burned to a black cinder.
4. Transpose to be crippled ta a lag and
get a dinner.
DIAGONAL.
There are fire words of fire letters each
In this diagonal. If the worda are right
ly guessed and written one below an
other their diagonal letters, beginning
with the upper left-hand letter and end
ing with the lower rigbt-band letters,
will spell the name of an Inhabitant of
tbe deep sea. The cross-words are: L
"Maybe papa might influence her." sug
gested Polly. "Ton know ahe was a sec
ond mother to papa after his own dear
mother died."
"Tea, Aunt Mary was fifteen years old
when she lost her mother. And your
papa waa three. She raised papa, took
care of the house, spent bar life at home,
looking after things, made a sacrifice of
herself, yon might say. And ahe waa
a woman at fifteen, thus having no girl
hood. It was all very, very hard on
her. But ahe never complained." So
spoke Mrs. Holcomb.
"And was so self -sacrificing that ahe
gave her entire young life to her younger
brothers and sisters," said Peggy. "It
was indeed pltlfuL It prevented her
marrying and having a home and chil
dren of her own."
"Tea, and I'm so. ao sorry for her,"
pnt In Polly. "She's not to Mama, if
she's narrow-minded and old-fashioned.
She never had the chance to broaden and
be up-to-date. I do wish she'd come
for a' little while."
"I have It!" And Mrs. Holcomb's face
was radiant "I hare it glrla! Ton
know I want to pay sister Fanny a visit.
Well, I'll write and ask Aunt Mary 10
come and look after you and the bouse
aud papa, of course. She still looks upon
as her especial charge. If ahe thinks
really need her. she'll go to any
hie to come. So we'll u6 a harmless
ritynd, I .reckon."
stratagem to bring her out of her cave
home." Well, Mrs. Holcomb's "stratagem
worked successfully. When Aunt Mary
Holcomb, spinster and half-invalid, re
ceived the letter la which her sister-in-law
begged her to come and look after
her family for a couple of weeks, aha
Jumped up and began packing her little
old leather trunk, preparatory to start
ing on the next morning's stagecoach.
I'm not really able to stand tht trip,"
Aunt Mary Bald to herselt as sho fixed
her house in order to leave for a fort
night "But when Duty calls I must
go."
To ber nearest neighbor aha went
after everything was ready, to ask her
to "keep an eye on the place during her
absence." And to the neighbor's exclama
Timber. 2. A ahelter for cattle. S. That
upon which schoolchildren write. 4.
Tasteless from age. 6. To gase steadily
at anything.
ANSWERS TO LAST WEEK'S PUZZLES.
CHARADE: Band-piper.
ADDITIONS: 1. Ct-sp. 2. Ifon-atf.
3. fiol-oce. 4. Bluebell.
ZIQZAQ PUZZLE: Diamond. Orom
vordi, 1. Dor. 2. J. 3. BUy. 4.
Slam. 6. Plot. . Inch. 7. Dog.
REBUS: On the firt of March the lion
and the lamb coma forth to play.
IIN THE NURSERY.
w
E "have such fun in the
Nursery,
A-playing games so gay;
The sun shines in so warm and
bright
Throughout the live-long day.
There are toys of all descriptions ;
A Noah's Ark complete;
A rocking-horse, and a soldier
brave,
Who can stand upon his feet
We play at being sailors,
And crossing seas so wide;
Or Blind Man's Buff, or Wild
Old Witch,
Or behind the things we hide.
Oh, we've such fun in the Nur
sery, A-playing games so gayl
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33".- HP, t -r-
JilPPSf rlllPI t& m
Said Mr. Roach, "Come dine with me."
Said Mr. Mouse, "Why certainly."
Said Roach, "Where are your manners, son?
It's not polite to eat and run."
tion, "What you, Mary noleomb, going
to the city?" she waved a hand and re
plied ; "It's to look after my brother and
i nieces during Catherine's absence from
home. Oil. I'm not going for pleasure,
you may be sure. I'll And it a terrible
hardship but sister Catherine has asked
me. She don't know, of course, bow good-for-nothin"
I am nowadays."
"Well, Mary Holcomb, you're still a
pretty good woman. And I'm glad you're
takln' the trip. With I could go along.
All us old maids need a change once in
a while." v
On the second day after leaving hr
borne in the "postoflleee town," Miss
Mary Holcomb landed in the city where
lived her brother and his family. And
she forgot to be "worn out" during all
the excitement of arrival and meeting
with those she loved. "Oh, how you girls
are growing !M she exclaimed aa Peggy
and Polly bugged Lr affectionately. "And
bless my soul. Brother, you're as gray
as I am, and I'm 12 years older than
you P
"Sh-h f warned John Holeomhi in a
merry way. "Don't tell anyone ihat you
are older than I. They'd never believe
It"
The next day Mrs. Holcomb started off
on her Journey and left Aunt Mary in
full charge of the house. But Aunt Mary
soon found that she was in full charge
of two fun-loving affectionate nieces, who
seemed to think of going somewhere
every hour that they were out of school.
On the first evening, which was Friday,
they had a lecture to attend, one on
Northern Africa, with moving pictures.
Of course. Aunt Mary had to chaperon
them. And she found herself so deeply
Interested In the lecture that she forgot
that it was Duty that had led her there.
"And these things are moving pictures '."
she whispered to Peggy. "Ain't they Juet
too fine for words? Wish Ilcttie Jackson
(her nearest neighbor) could see 'em.
She and I never went over to Forest City
to see the moving pictures. We s'posed
they were Just for young folks."
"Oh, they are educational," whispered
Polly. "Tou are now looking at Northern
Africa the places and people Just as
they" exist"
ob Harding on a "Tramp TrifT,
n
OW, mother, you mustn't think for
a minute that I shan't be able to
take care of myself on a little
tramp-trip of 50 miles." And Bob
Harding put bis arms about his
mother In an affectionate farewell. "I'll
wire you from every little town that I
n throneh. and vou'll have a dally
I bulletin from me. So, don't worry for
one second. Tou see, I'll have material
for a fine story to be published In the
High School Herald. So I'U be combin
ing pleasure with business."
"Well, dear, I know you're quite cap
able of taking care of yourself; but I'm
frald of your taking cold, or of falling ill
by the wayside."
"No danger of that, mother mine,"
laughed and assured Rob. "I'm too used
to roughing it Don't forget last sum
mer, mother. I camped In the worat pos
sible place on top this globe was wet to
tbe skin night after night from the
beavy rains coming through our frail
tent And I came home as tough as a
bear. So this little tramp-trip will do
me worlds of good. But I must shoul
der my knapsack and away."
Then Rob kissed bis food mother, took
np bis luggage and started off down the
street. He waa a fine fellow, 15 years
of age, the only son of very proud par
ents. It had been with some reluctance
that Rob's parents had consented to his
making a "tramp" trip to tbe city where
lived Mrs. Harding's parents. But Rob
bad at last persuaded tbem to give their
consent He was ahead of bis class in
school, and knew that be could take two
weeks' vacation and return "not loser."
He would catch np with his class If tbey
succeeded in leaVlng him a few lessons
behind.
"Fifty miles of good road!" And Rob
And we hope that we will chil-
dren be
For many and many a day.
"Indeed I am." smiled Miss Mary Hol
comb. And the smile stayed there during
the entire lecture. Aa they went home,
Peggy suddenly aaked : "Oh, bow la your
rheumatism. Aunt Mary?"
Aunt Mary stopped and looked at her
nieces. "Say, girla, I'd forgot I ever had
the rheumatls. I've got my bead so full
of that lecture and them pictures. I'm
going to write to Hettle Jackson tomor
row and tell her all about 'em. My ! I
wish somebody would start them moving
pictures In Sylvan Dale."
The next day being Saturday, the girls
had to go to a matinee, and, of course.
Aunt Mary acted aa chaperon again.
"Well, it seems I'm gotn' a terrible lot
for an old maid," she said as they went
arms' linked together, down the bustling
city street.
"Why. you're not old. Aunt Mary."
cried Peggy. "Tou"re as young as any
body." "Wonder If I am?" questioned Aunt
Mary, as if In dream.
But that matinee the first play the
dear Aunt Mary had ever seen! She
wept with thoae in trouble on the stage
and she laughed till tears rolled down
ber cheeks when the "funny" man and
"funny" women capered about or
cracked jokes. Never had Aunt Mary
been so lost to all things In the world
before.
At the supper table ahe told her
brother that he must certainly go to the
theater and see that wonderful play.
"Why, brother." she said. "I never had
a better cry in my life, and then I
laughed till I cried all over again. I do
wish Hettie Jackson could aee It."
And on Sunday Aunt Mary went to
church with her brother, and ahe per
mitted her nieces to dress ber for the
occasion. She bad her front hair waved;
she wore one of her sister inlaw's new
styled hats. "Oh, I don't look natu
ral:" ahe cried, looking at herself in the
glass.
"But you look lovely," declared Polly
and Peggy.
"Tea, I look more cityfled. I reckon."
And Aunt Mary took a second peep at
herself. And she wore one of ber sister-in-law's
street suits. It waa a bit saug.
bad smiled "Why, daddy. I'll cover the
distance in four days and rest half tbe
time." So be bad spoken to hla father on
tbe morning of his starting. And Mr.
Harding had said: "All right. Good luck
to you. son," and then he had gone to
the office to think many tlmea during the
day of hla "tramp" son.
Rob soon gsined the country rosd and
turned hla face southward. "It will get
warmer and warmer aa I proceed," he
said to himself. "Even 50 miles makes
a difference with the thermometer. Till
noon time. Rob walked leisurely along
the highway, which was dry and smooth.
He carried quite a pack upon his back,
and rested it occasionally. But he was
not In the least wearied when his watch
told blm It was high noon. A nearby
farmhouse looked Inviting, and Rob
turned into tbe long lane leading to it.
But he waa still some distance from tbe
gate which led directly into the small
front yard, when a fierce-looking bulldog
came out to meet bim. Rob bad beard of
this especial brand of farm dog, and
decided to retrace bla steps to the main
road. The dog was evidently well-trained,
for be did not advance far beyond the
gate, but stood watching the young in
truder as he hurried off.
"Say, you old fellow," soliloquised Rob,
speaking to the dog. who waa far in his
rear, "I wouldn't have given your maa
ter or mistress any trouble. I'm a re
spectable tramp. If you please, paying
my way as I go. But I guess you're
only doing your duty keeping strange
pedestrians away from your fort. Well.
, Vm a bit thirsty and hungry, and would
- i - -- A.. 1.K ,...,-
fciaujy cave ien n qunrici wnu jv
But at this point in Rob's soliloquy a
fine pair of horses hitched to a small top
buggy came dashing round a turn of
the high hedge which bordered one alJe
of the highway. And from the buggy
looked a pair of friendly eyes into Bob's
fsce and a cheery voice called out:
"Hello, stranger! Whither go your
"Hello, yourself." laughed back Rob,
resting bis burden on the roadside. "I'm
off to Dash City, sir. Just making a
foot-trip of It"
"Oh, one of those new-fangled fellows
that go about the country on Shanks'
mare." And tbe man inside the buggy
laughed "Well. I size you up as a city
cbap. Am I right r
' "You lt tbe nail's bead." confessed Rob
good-naturedly. "I'm out for a bit of
reet Not a genuine Weary Willie, you
know."
"Funny way to rest" declared the
young man in tbe buggy. "When I
rest It's by riding In my carriage or
sitting In tbe house. But a farmer's lUe
isn't quite so dull as a city fellow's."
"You're right," agreed Rob. "But lust
now tbe thing that worries me most Is
the bulldog nt thst farmhouse down yon
der picturesque lane. I started to call
on tbe farmer and his family, but lbs
bulldog showed signs of disapproval. So
I'm on to tbe next farm, where I hope to
elude tbe animal till I bare begged a
cup of milk and a piece of apple pie,
for which I shall gladly pay tbe price
In good American silver." And Rob
drew from hla pocket a bandfal of quar
ter and half-dollars.
"Ah, so my Private Secretary and Over-
bsssbbbbj -t welcome yea aurug my
fcticjOette
but Aunt Mary said it was not uncom
fortable. "My gracious, girls, what would
Hettle Jackson say if she could see ma
now?" And Aunt Mary laughed till tears
came into her blue eyes.
The following day Peggy aatd: "Aunt
I Mary, you haven't been alck a single
j hour since you came to visit us. I guess
i It's because you have so much to do
j looking after papa and sister and me."
Aunt Mary was silent for a moment.
! Then: "Say. girla, I haven't done a mor
I tal lick of work since I've been here.
But I've gadded and gadded all the
I time. Why. I'm getting to be a regular
I cityfled woman. And, what's the fun-
nlest I don't feel like an old maid any
more."
"You're not an old maid," laughed
Polly and Peggy. "Tou are our Jolly,
chummy auntie."
"Jolly chummy? Me?" And Aunt
Mary gasped. "W'y, I always thought I
was sour and solemn. But city life does
make a terrible difference In a person
And. say -Hettle Jackson's got plenty of
money, and Pre got a fairly good In
come from the farm your pa gave me
and I can rent my house in Sylvan Dale
for fifteen a month, and and Hettle
and I can rent one of them little places
you call a flat and keep house here to
gether. I want Hettle to Just see things
for herself. Shed never believe It all
from Just my letters."
"Good, good:" cried Peggy end Polly.
"Oh, how different you look since you've
bad something to think of. Aunt Mary.
And you feel so much better, too."
"Don't I? And say, girls, I believe
I'll get a false front. It'a too much
bother to have you forever crimping my
hair for me. And a false front will be
ao bandy. If I want to go of a sudden
to a picture show with Hettle. And I
want a dresa like your mother's brown
suit the one I wore to church. Tour pa
was so proud of me that morning. And
1 like him to feel that way about
about hla old maid "
"Sh-h!" cried Mr. Holcomb, who had
Jnst come into the room. "My fine-looking
bachelor sister, who's the best wom
an in the world save the darling mother
of my girls."
absence?" And tbe young farmer smiled.
"That is my home, down that pictur
esque lane, and tbe especial bulldog is
my Private Secretary and Overseer. But
If you'll Jump Into my 'auto' 111 be glad
to carry you back to tbe house. Intro
duce you to my Overseer in correct or
der, and have a pie and a pitcher of
milk served to you."
At tbe farmhouse the Private Secre
tary looked a bit dubious when his mas
ter led Into tbe best room tbe very cbap
he had so recently driven away. But
after the introduction he began to grow
n bit more friendly, and shook bla bob
tall and wagged one short ear as Rob
talked to him of city dogs.
Olive.
Cvooore
"Oh, we couldn't take
After s few minutes tbe farmer's red
cheeked young wife called Rob to tbe
kitchen, where the dinner table waa set
for three. Rob never enjoyed a meal so
much in bis life as be did that good,
plain, substantial farm dinner. He did
Justice to everything, from tbe cabbage
soup to tbe rich pumpkin pie. But when.
st 1 o'clock, tbe time set for bis again
taking to tbe road, be offered 50 cents to
tbe farmer's wife, she shook ber bead.
"Oh, we couldn't take money from you.
It was a pleasure to bare your company
at dinner. It Is so seldom that we bare
interesting city company.
"But I waa uninvited," persisted Bob,
Insisting on ber taking pay for the
dinner he bad so much enjoyed.
"That's all right pardner," said tbe
farmer himself. Me aavsr charge
BBBBBi WWWfl V
m m
THE FATE of
(JOHNNY
TT was the first week of March, and
the winds were blowing furiously and
cold. Every school-boy snd school
girl ran about the streets muffled aa
though It waa January- "Not a peep
has Mlas Spring given us yet" declared
one little girl.
"1 guess old Mr. Winter la frightening
her away," replied a little boy.
And so it seemed above ground. But
beneath the hard soil there was warmth
and growth. Whole families of Jonnny-jump-upa
were getUng ready to come
forth as soon as Miss Spring touched the
earth above their heads. And they knew
her foot-fall, and were as happy aa
could be when ahe came tripping along.
In one Johnny-jump-up home there was
a bit of trouble. Master Greeny Jump
up aon of Mr. and Mrs Wise Jobnny-jump-up
was determined to go out of
the bouse, and to push bis head above
ground at the little crack In the soil
where he was to find his place during
the soring. And his father and mother
were trying to advise him against such
rashness, for they knew thst the March
winds were howling furiously overhead
and that old Winter still blew his breath
Into the winds, freezing things that were
tender. And Johnny Jump-ups are not
very hardy little people.
"Now, Son," cried Mrs. Jump-up, al
most coaxingly, "you must not venture
out till you see us Papa and Mamma
making our way to the great Out of-doora.
Just as soon as Miss Spring steps on the
ground' above our heads, we'll rush to
our little doors and put out our heads.
Tou know, Miss Spring Is the Sun's fa
vorite of all the Season family. He
doesn't love Winter, so refuses to shine
warmly when that old fellow la around.
Summer, also, is no favorite of the Sun.
and he Just beats down In a burning
glare on that poor daughter of the Sea
eon family. And on Autumn he looks
with a bit of displeasure, for he brings
many clouds and sudden cool winds, and
dries things up considerably. But with
Miss Spring Ah, old Mr. Sun does shine
on her the best of all. He also sends
many showers, with beautiful rainbows ss
a finish to them. And be warms the
ground wherever Miss Spring steps, and
he sends delightful dews at night, and
bracing breezes In the morning. Oh, the
old Master of the heavens does love that
fair daughter of the seasons. Miss
Spring."
"But why does Miss Spring remain so
long away?" asked Greeny Jump-up. "It's
March, and March heralds her."
"Ah, March is the month when old
Winter la taking his departure." explained
Papa Jump up. "And Winter always
chills the air Just as long as he's near
enough to the earth to do so. He's Jeal
ous of Miss Spring. He cruet old mon--ster
never sees a single blossom or green
leaf. All the family of Verdure is afraid
of him and remain snugly in tbelr under
ground houses till the old chap has gone
a long way off. So, take your father's
warning and remain here In this snug
house till Miss Spring announces it la
time for us to come forth."
But no. Master Greeny would not
listen, and that morning while his
mother and father begged and prayed
blm to stay with them, lie broke away
from their side and thrust out bis bead.
And the ground was so cold at the top
tlyat its edges were hard and cut several
of Greeny's leaves. But the naughty
fellow Just kept right on going np and
up, and pretty soon he fouud bis head
and shoulders well out of the gtound.
As he looked about be beheld bare
ground everywhere. Not a single green
spear had dared to come forth. Oh,
bow the cold wind did hurt bis tender
face! He felt that to remain long there
tramps." And his eyes sparkled as he
made this little Joke.
"But I'm not the ordinary tramp."
laughed Rob. "It's wrong for a non
union tramp to infringe on the rights
of tbe union tramp. So I beg of you to
allow me to pay for the accommodation
as far as money cau pay for such as
you have given me."
"The debt Is ours," insisted the farmer.
And when Rob started away, after ex
pressing bis deepest gratitude to bis
host and hostess, he was cordially in
vited to stop over a night with them on
bis return trip.
"Well, if I meet with this sort of hos
pitality along my way," meditated Hob,
once more tramping along the highway.
"
money from you.'
"I'll be sorry for my Jcurneyings to
end."
But that night Rob fell into the borne
of a very doubtful old farmer, with a
more doubtful wife. "He looks safe,'"
the latter said to her lord, "but yon
never can tell. pie might be a train
robber in disguise.' No, 'twon't do to
let blm sleep In tba house." So Bob was
assigned a bed in the barn, which be
was very grateful fo and in tbe morn
ing which was heme the old farmer
and bis better balr waa astir he left
pinned against the Wooden pump handle a
small folded paner ou which read: "From
the bank robber- who slept in your barn."
And Inside the paper was folded a silver
half dollar.
So three and a half days passed sway,
sad about 1 o'clock on the third day,
laTli isa
DISOBEDIENT
- sFUMP - UP.
would be hla death. But bow could he
go back? It la an impossibility for
flower once out of the ground ever to
return to bis place beneath it again.
And so that disobedient fellow stood
there, shivering and shivering, and
wishing with all his lltUe heart that
he were once more beside bis father and
mother In their cosy house inches below
the top of the soil.
And you may believe that bis parents
were 'aorely grieved. They feared hs
would not be able to withstand the cold
March winds, and mourned for hint as
already dead. "Ah. our aon is no more
sighed Mamma Jump-up. "The wind
"1 tear hla head from hla body, and
rend his leavee from their place. Ah.
now sad that a son should be ao dis
obedient!" "Tea, yea," sighed Papa
Jump-up also.
But while they spoke Miss Spring,
who reslly loved the Jump-ups more than
any other early blossoms, overheard the
aad lamentatlona of the poor Johnny
Jump-ups and decided to save their eon
for tbem, if he would promise to profit
by the lesson he had so sadly learned.
So, although she waa bidden away la a
very deep valley to the south of the
high mountain, she hurried forth to the
spot where little Greeny Jump-up was
shivering. She suffered from the March
winds, but she was determined, and sent
two fairies flying to the Sun to ask his
assistance. And lo! old Mr. Sun com
piled with Miss Spring's request and
ebot forth bis warm rays so furiously
that even the March winds blew warmly
and soon ceased to blow at all. And
then the armth fell upon Greeny Jump
up and his chill passed sway. And as
he warmed. Miss Spring held a whis
pered conversation with blm. And after
it was over, 3reeny felt very much
ashamed of himself, and was glad to
promise obedience to his dear parents if
she dear Miss Spring would let him
Join them. But as that was Impossible
Miss Spring tapped ber foot gently on
the ground and Father and Mother
Johnny-jump-up heard and understood.
And forth they came and stood smiling
happily at tbelr son, in the bright March
sunshine.
On the following day, which was so
warm and bright two children walked
in the meadow. "Oh, see the first
Johnny-jump-up!" cried the boy.
"Yes, the warm days have brought them
forth," replied the girl. "But we must
not pluck tbem. Mamma says it is
wicked, for tbey can feel Just as we
can."
Mlas Spring: held at whispered
conversation with him.
Rob walked into the city where dwelt
his grandparent'. He found a hearty
welcome awaiting him. for his mother
had wired them of his coming. And
Rob had made good his promise to send
bis mother a daily bulletin, for he man
aged to find a telegraph station each
day at some little railroad village along
bis way of travel.
A great fat latter awalud him at his
destination. It was from his parents.
Rob felt that a year had passed sluce
he had last seen tbem. and a bit of home
sickness overcame him. But old grand
mother and old grandfather were so
happy In having him for a few daye'
visit that he did not regret his coming.
But be was really much rejoiced when
the day for bis departure came, and he
set out on foot toward his home. The
weather was tbe finest one could wish
for, for the spring seemed eager to make
ber bow to Nature.
Hob came into sight of the farmhouse
where the Pnvate Secretary held sway
about supper time on bis last evening
out. He would reach hla borne about
noon at the following day.y His friends
were happy to see blm fuming in at
the lane, and even tbe Private Secretary
came forward with a nod of tbe tall.
He. too. remembered tbe young stranger
with pleasure, and gladly welcomed him
back again.
And it was really a most enjoyable
evening and night that Rob spent with
tbe young farmer and bla red-cbeeked
.young wife. And a friendship sprang
up between tbem that promised to con
tinue in tbe future. Rob made his new
friends promise to visit him in his city
home. "Come for the big fair next fall."
urged Rob. "And you'll And I have a
pair of the finest parents in all tba
world. They'll be just too happy ta
have you."
"But we'll not dare to come as
tramps, wiU we?" aaked the young
farmer, with sparkling eyes. "We'll ride
In our buggy and bring along tbe Pri
vate Secretary."
-Sure, the secretary must come," cried
Rob. "We louldn't do without him."
And so ended a pleasant experience for
Rob Harding, and bis high school mates
enjoyed the story of hla adveatuxsa
when be went "trsjaplsev'' -j
te M HI
c Mi
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