American citizen. [volume] (Canton, Miss.) 1864-1890, 1872-04-06
LUCY AIMS LITTLE TEMPTATION.

Lucy Ann was the little girl. Jane
Maria was the doll. Lucy Ann said to
Jane Maria, one day, ''Now, you've just
| gone and got the humps, and I'm going
to doctor you up right smart; or you'll be
having earache or something all winter
and like as not you'll be down sick when
winter comes, and | shall just have to stay
at home and take care of you"
Lucy Ann went into the kitchen to
make a poultice (poultices were the thing
for the mumps, she thought, and Jane
Maria was left alone.
Only the cat listened to poor Dolly's
doleful words. ''Oh, it's dreadful to be a
DOLL" she said. II am all twisted up.
Lucy Ann tells folks the rheumatics did
it; but know twas herself-pulling me
so, and twitchering me when she gets
mad. Wish I could get mad, too, some
times; but guess 1 wouldn't tell folks a
story bout it. OH it's awful to be doll,
and have new head put on; and 1 know
I've got to, if she puts that thing on; for
it, Jest a-going TO stick fast and pull all
the red off my face / know it is"
Dear me! how loud you do purr" said
Lucy Ann to the cat, going into the room
and taking up Jane Maria in her arms
Kittie followed them into the kitchen.
"NOw, there's no use in your making
one bit of fuss for you've got to take it.
they're sick or anything" said Lucy Ann,
when the bread and milk poultice was
bound on Dolly's check, and the cat was
licking the milk from the dish. The
spoo, Mas full A knock at the kitchen
door started Lucy Ann. The spoon shook,
and down spread the oil over Dolly, Lucy
AIMS dress, and the cats fur.
4 Thought twas mother come home"
said the child, springing up to hide her
''dOc.oIing" from sight.
No. it's just me-" said Sarah Burns,
ard I've come to see if your mothers got
any castor-oil. Mrs. Browns baby has
been taken sick, sudden, and they can't
wait to send to the doctor"
Eyes, here it is" said Lucy Ann;
Fright here"
Sarah Burns took the bottle and ran
with it to Mrs. Brown.
''Isn't it lucky for me-" thought Lucy
Ann, THAT she came; for what would
mother saw to all this oil? And now she'll
think spilled it out, getting the bottle
for Mrs Brown" After a while the dark
ness began to gather in the tall evergreens
by the kitchen-windows, and Lucy Ann
began to feel very unhappy. She had
burned up the poultice, put away the dish
in which it had been made, and hidden
Jane Maria, so that no one should ask
any questions about the cheek that had
no paint on it. The ecidence was out of
sight, but the little actor did not feel one
bit better.
At last her mother came home. AS
soon as the lamps were lighted she saw
the oil on her childs dress.
"Lucy Ann, what is that on your new
dress?" she asked
1T is castor-oil, mamma"
"How came it thcre?'
Lucy Ann hung down her head, and it
was still in the room tor a minute. Then
the little girl looked up, and a twitching
about her lips disappeared with the
words:
81 spilled it. was playing give Jane
Maria some, for the mumps."
"Playing with castor-oil-and in your
new dress l'' exclaimed her mother, who
knew nothing of the temptation her little
girl had resisted. "You shall go to bed
for that without any light"
Lucy Ann went slowly upstairs. The
big round moon looked into her room,
and lit it up while she undresscd. The
cat had followed her. 1t jumped upon
the bed and curled itself close beside the
little girl.
Il don't care, pussy, if l am sent to
bed" said Lucy Ann, sobbing. Il told
the truth anyhow, and Pm real glad l did.
And won't mamma be glad, too, when
tell her all about it tomorrow ?"
Pussy didn't answer, but Lucy Ann was
just the same.-HearM and