The Van Buren press., 1872-07-23
MISCELLANY.
Kathie's New Shoes.

SISul DiB Hoie Ill my oHoC oust osc,
mamma, don't it look funny p
The poor, tired, hardworking woman
looked YEARLY at the little gaping shoe
and said "No, Kathie, it docs II OF look
funny at all. | am very sorry you were
so careless of these, for you know papa
has to work hard to give us enough to
eat, and think you will nave to go bare
footed for awhile. -
The chlds lip quivered, but she said
nothing; only ran outdoors again to her
mud-pies by the old wood shed, thinking
to herself; Il know my papa has to
work hard and I'm sorry; but great
big stone eutted my shoe, and | didn't
do it bit And a tear rolled down the
fat, rosy cheek "Oh, dear. wish
was great big man like papa, and I'd
have gold house, and a silver chair,
and lots Of things. And mamma should
come and live with me, and--and-Oh,
my! Where is my Seraphina Amanda
Jane ~ And off ran Kathie after the
doll
1t was very strange dolly, and | doubt
if ever little girl who lives in the East
ern States has seen one like it, Its body
was clothes pin, with two hair-pins for
arms, and q walnut head The face was
linked on, and one corner Of the mouth
tristed up and met one corner of the eye
in very strange manner! Poor Dolly
had no joints, and always a:d to sleep
with her eyes open.
But its little mistress dressed it in
scraps of silk and muslin that mamma
had hid away, and altogether Seraphina
Amanda Jane was quite stylish young
lady; at least, so thought Kathic.
That night at the tea table Mrs. Harris
said john, Kathil$a worn out her
shoes Can we aToid her any new
ones ?'
"Shoe the horse, and shoe the mare,
But let the little colt 80 bare,
said papa, laughing. Theh he added !:
Kathie might pick berries and earn
somo shoes -
SO all the evening Ka,hie sat on tue
doorstep repeating to herself; Earn
some shoes. What did papa mean? |
amt anything but little girl yet When
I'm big man like papa, then I'll earn
shoes y
And the last thing she said before she
went to sleep was, Oh-how-l-wsh
-I-eould - And she dreamed that q
little man came and threw some bright,
red shoes with blue ties and silver toes,
right on the foot OF her bed and then ran
away.
The next day, after Kathie had wiped
teaspoons and forks, she said
"Now, mamma, may | go out and
playr
Yes" said mamma, And off ran the
little girl; the pink sun bonnet falling
back and showing tho soft brown curIs,
the little shoe gaping like hungry rob
in, the pretty dress blowing behind her in
the wind, and Seraphina tucked under
her arm with legs sticking ont very
straight behind, and arms very straight
in front, and kind Of bcsseching look
on her blackcd face.
The meadow was full Of tall, waving
grass, but away at the further end grew
some bushes. Katie ran to them and
eagerly commenced her search. Alas f!
no berries. Almost ready to cry with
disappointment, she thought; "Tll inst
90 over this ole stump fence, then | guess
thero'l be a lot there, May be fre
6ushels' SO she ran on speaking oc
easionally to Seraphina "Well, Man
da Jane, when | get home with all the
berries you mustn't tell cause ] want to
s'prisc 'em all. Now, spu won't, will
your
Il suppose Amanda must have said
" No." for Kathie continued That's
a good child An I'm goin' to buy
pair of shoes for my own self Won't
that be nice? And perhaps / Il buy you
some, too"
The next field proved barren, as did
the next also. Still the child ran on, un
til at last she came upon bush quite
full of bcrries-great, sweet. blackber.
ries.
"Oh, Scraphina, see here Sec what
I've foundw And she fell eagerly to
picking, but suddenly stopped.
"Why, Scraphina Mandy Jane Har.
ris, I've been an gone an come 'thout
any pail Oh, can take my apron.
And sne lifted it and picked into it until
the bush was empty.
"Coms, dollis, let's 60 and find somo
more; cause don't believe I've got IS
mach as two hundred quarts, and papa
said man way of, wanted tro hundred
quarts, just think how rich I'll be !"
She walked on silently for a few mo-
ments but she must have seen y weary
expression on dollie's face, for she re
marked: Poor Manda, you is hun
CRY, an so am ]. But | want to save all
the berries, and haven't eaten one And,
'Mands, | don't b'lieve God pounded in
great many borry-bushes. But you
must be a good girl an not fwet about
it. "
MANDY only smiled, calmly.
The next field held several loaded
bushes, but SO far of And the poor
little feet were very tired Never mind,