The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1871-12-29

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bear her trouble, she set herself to help
others in their pleasures and their du.
ties. If Johnny's new top wanted a
piece of string, she helped him hunt
for 1t il Aunt Polly needed service In
that busy preparation. Alice was at
her call. Still, the day dragged, and
the evening that approached with such
a welcome from all the rest, was only
something more to be endured for Alice.
As she went wearily up the stairs to
dress herself for this new effort, Aunt
Polly called out in a CHEEKY voice
"Put on your prettiest gown, my dear,
for there will be good many new faces
here. And then Mr.. Godfrey is expect.
ed in the next train, and says he will
bring a friend of his with him."
Alice laughed little. Her prettiest
gown recalled its curious origin But
she didn't give thought to Frank God.
frey and the friend he was to bring
with him. Why should she? She put
on her prettiest gown, however-that
rich, soft, silky new gown, with its
warm, winey tint, and trailing folds.
"How pretty you are in that pretty
dress-look at her, mother, look at AL
ly, isn't she lovely?" cried out Mary
Roberts, as Ally entered the parlor
again.
"Yes, / see, my dear-very pretty
indeed. And what Is this stuff, Ally,
so rich aud soft ?" Ally laughed out
right, and straightway told its story, for
Ally was not ashamed of their economy
and its devices.
Aunt Polly was full of admiration at
such ingenuity, such "positive genius
of resource as she called it. Full of
admiration, for the proud and spirited
face that cleaned and sparkled like a
brilliant gem above this pretty dress.
She seemed much more interested in
Alic's appearance than in any of the
Others. You would have thought that
this little Alice, clothed economically
in an old curtain, was some distinguish
ed parsonage, such fuss did this smil-
ing, bustling Aunt Polly make over
her, setting ribbon right here and
there, pulling out lace ruffles, and Civ
ing an extra puff and fluff, to the
wavy hair.
81 want you to look just as lovely as
possible, my dear" she said in the
midst of these little arrangements, for
there are some of Toms friends coming,
and who knows"-and here she left off
very suddenly with "Bless my heart!
there's the train now!" Aud Alice
who was a very keen little person
thought to herself-"There's a plan in
her head about Frank Godfrey. Be-
cause he's our friend she thinks"-and
here Alice left off suddenly too, to
laugh over Aunt Polly's good natured
folly, and to sigh over her own greater
folly, perhaps. She was reused from
these contemplations by the sound OF
her Cousin Toms voice.
"Well, that is too bad," he was say
ing.
"What is it, Cousin Tom?"
"Why, the train we expected God
frey in is detained by an accident to the
locomotive; nothing serious; but
there'll be delay of half an hour or
so, the telegram says"
The two boys, Johnny and little Tip,
hearing this, set up quite an outcry OF
regret, for Frank Godfrey was "no end
jolly in their opinion. Half an hour
was half a lifetime to these impatient
youngsters. A general discomfort and
restlesSno.s seem cd to attack them all
in fact at this delay and at last Mas
ter Johnny, who was fruitful in sUgges
tions, proposed with great enthusi lsm, +,
that they should have game of blind
mans buff, or hide and seek.
"Not blind. mans buff, for Tip got
his nose smashed last year at that
cried ont Tom, laughing; "but here
goes for hide. and.seek. Come, boys
come, girls. Come, Ally-this is reg
ular Christmas bout with us. We al
turn children to- day, you know anc
this is gay old house for hide.and
seek
There was something so bright ant
funny, and hearty, in this proposition
and the hilarious effect it was having
upon everybody, that Ally felt her gay
girls spirits suddenly return to her
and laughing as she hadn't laughed fo
too long time TO tell about, she scam
pered off to join in the game. Ant
what game it was "No end jolly,
as Johnny declared in his favorit
phraseology. AS Tom had said, it wa
} gay old house for hide. and seek
, Queer corner closets, unlocked 70
| inches, stairway hooks, and great win
dow recesses curtained into hiding
rooms. Into one of these Alice fle,
! with laugh that would have betraye,
her to the seeker if Aunt Polly's whis
! pered advice had not already done so.
+ $50 into the window recess in tn
back hall, Ally, nobody has thought c
2 that she had said in an incautious un
) derbreath. And into the window r.
| cess In the back hall Ally went wit
0 that little laugh at the fun of the thing
;, thinking, comically, what an affinit
l she had for curtains. And here sh
J.. waited for that sharp seeker, Tom
e whose turn it was, as the children say
) Here she waited, and heard Tips shri
y halloo of laughter as he was dragge
n forth from behind the tall. old fashion
c ed clock, and her brother Jimmy's a
Q swering shout as he was discovered
IS the clothes.basket. And here she hear
b another sound than that of hide al
e seek-a changing of q gate, a hurryir
II of footsteps up the path and across Il
1t piazza; Toms voice in greeting 6,
p welcome, and Frank Godfrey's heart
jovial tones over all. And then Jill
y my's piping notes Of gladness-"Jimn
was very fond of Frank Godfrey
as ways" thought the listener behind t
L. curtain. Jimmy's piping notes, tn
lt high, boy'tr crying out-"Oh! col
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