St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1868-01-31
for the Iaung folks.
Little blossoms Disobedfence.

childish face half hidden by the golden
brown curls that the wind tossed hither
and thither.
In all the wisdom of four years, how
ever, she pursued her cogitations. a
think might 60 out making calls, same
as mamma does. Now she's gone over
to Mrs. Frost's, and wont be back for an
hour, and she said | must muse myself,
and [ don't know nothin' else that will
muse me. II any rate, Is'pose | might
fix up, and play make calls
So Blossom disappeared into the house
and returned arrayed in an immense red
silk handkerchief of her fathers, laid
shawlwise on her shoulders, and Aunt
Mary's beach hat covering the sunny
curls. To complete her outfit, she had
drawn her fathers driving gloves over
her tiny hands.
A comical figure enough she looked,
but she was happily unconscious OF any
discrepancies in her attire so she start
ed off down the street-a very blossom
indeed, drifted hither and :hither with
the crowd.
Presently she arrived opposite large,
pleasant looking house, standing a little
back from the street. Blossom opened
the gate, and passed with dignifisd step
up the walk, and rang the bell in =
moment the servant answered the sum-
mons.
is Mrs. Brown at home 2" demanded
Blossom.
''Indade, and she doesn't live here at
ahl, at ahl," she said, looking curiously
at the grotesque little figure.
"Wcll, is Mrs. Smith, then ?" pursued
Blossom coolly
"No, she isn't and what is yez want
wild her ?''
''Oh . I'm only out making calls, ="
said Blossom, running down the steps.
Next her li:.le Feet led her down to
the depot, where the cars soon attracted
her attention, and seeing the people en-
tering the car, she sprang lightly up the
steps and passed< in with them never
dOubting-poor foolish Blossom - but
she could so to New York, and come
riding hcme with carload of pretty
things by bedtime.
Soon she fell asleep, but she was re-
called from Dreamland by touch on her
shoulder, and tall gentleman stood be-
side her.
"Well little girl, whom do you belong
to ?'' said he.
The thought passed through Blossom 5
small brain that she didn't care TO be
carried home Just then ; so she answered
winking very hard, I'm just my NAM
mas. and nobody's else
''But what is your mammals name.
my pet ?"
Its just my own darling mamma :"
Tell me where she lives, then-that
will do"
'Up in the front chamber most al
ways, 'ceptswhen she's maxim calls
"Ics, but can't you tell the name of
the street ,"
Il can't quite begin it, bat it's the
street where Carrie Bell and Minnie Gray
live"
But can't you tell your own name, or
your papa's :"
''Ot course | can" responded sLe in
dignantly, my name is Blossom, and its
Louise, too, and papa's name is Charles;
mamma calls him So
The gentleman was quite in despair
but Blossom looked triumphantly around
and settled herself into the seat with an
air of satisfaction.
Fortunately the conductor came to the
rescue, AID CHANGED to notice black
velvet ribbon around her neck.
"llere is something that may trace the
child" said he "Will you show it to US
sissie! !''
She hesitated for a moment, but lured
by the offer of a stick OF candy, drew
forth card with name, street, and num-
Der plainly marked thereon.
why" explained she, "you see l
might forget, so mamma marked it all
down"
There was a general smile around, and
the conductor volunteered to take charge
OF the little estray, and place her in her
mothers arms i'll the morning.
Meanwhile Blossoms absence had been
discovered, and great was the anxiety at
home the police was notified, and en-
quiries made everywhere for n little girl
about four years old, with light, curly
hair and blue eyes.
Slowly the hours of the night wore
away, and the lonely parents sat silently
together in the deserted sitting-room. On
the table lay Blossoms hat beside it a
tiny slipper. 1t was discolored with
the damp, and trodden over on one side !;
1t had been picked up just outside the
garden gate, and was the only trace they
could find of her The mothers eyes
rested on it for moment, and then she
averted her face for moment, with Il
silence that was more eloquent than a
speech.
Still they sat there the wearisome
moments passed one into the other, and
all this while horrible, nameless fear
was taking possession of them, which
neither dared utter. Drowned they
could sec white upturned face drifting
/ helplessly with the waves-two wee wee
E hands clutching at the filmy, unsubstan-
tial seaweed that floated past, and-God
f help them-a little form peacefully re-
posing on the rough, surf beaten stones,
as, only one little day before, she had
f rested on her mothers arm. Another
child missing from earth, another child
angel in heaven. Oh the thous ht was
agony
r Or perhaps she was wandering on the
shore then the sharp, cruel rocks would
cut and bruise the little slipperless foot,
I .lo ,;t;f,I 0rieyed lips would in vain