“I hated to do it,” said Barbara. “But I know that he deserved it, and I feel sure that it was the right thing. A psychological punishment is so much better than a scolding or a whipping. And Charles realized what it meant; did you see his dear puzzled little face take on contrition as he began to understand my meaning? Mother says that he is a hard child to manage, but I don’t see why. He responds so readily to an appeal to his reason.” There was a sound in the upper hall. From the bathroom door floated down the voice of the Kid:— “Missus,” he called; “hey, Missus! There ain’t no soap in here.” CHAPTER V THE “IDGIT” THERE were two newspapers in Auburn. The “Transcript” was one of the oldest newspapers in the middle West, and it well upheld the dignity of its years. It was Republican as to politics, conservative as to opinion, and inclined to Methodism as to religion. It prided itself upon the fact that in the fifty years of its existence it had never changed its politics or its make-up, and had never advanced its subscription price or a new theory. It represented Auburn in being slow, substantial, and self-satisfied. The “Ledger” was a new arrival in Auburn, and had not yet proved its right to live. It had a flippant tone that barred its entrance to the best families, and Auburn had never given it the official sanction that would insure its permanent success. The difference in the spirit of the two papers might be seen by a glance down the personal columns of each. The “Transcript” was wont to state in dignified terms that “Joseph Slater departed yesterday for Jamestown.” The “Ledger” would announce flippantly, “Joe Slater went to Jimtown yesterday. What’s up, Joe?” This was spicy, all Auburn agreed, but it savored of vulgarity, and the old residents clung to their old paper, in spite of the fact that the new sheet was enterprising, clean, and up-to-date. The “Ledger” catered to advertisements; the “Transcript” paid special attention to the obituary column. And the citizens of Auburn subscribed to the “Transcript,” and borrowed the “Ledger.” On the morning of the sixteenth of July the “Transcript” contained two items more than the “Ledger.” The first of these was headed: AUBURN AUTHORESS! Miss Birdine Bates of this city contributes some lines upon the death of little Martha Johnson. Dearest parents, from the Heavens Comes this message unto thee,— Do not weep for little Mattie, Thou art not so glad as she. There were six Johnson children Living on the fruits of heaven. But the winged angels asked for Still another, which made seven,— And they held out beckoning fingers, Saying, “Little Mattie, come!” In a dainty old-rose casket Little Mattie was took home. There is no hearth, however tended, But one dead lamb is there; And Martha will be greatly missed For one who was so small and spare.