Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1872-04-27
Lucy AIMS Little Temptation.

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Lucy Ann was the little girl. Jane
Maria was the doll. Lucy Ann said to
Jane Maria, one day Now, you've
gone and got the mumps, and I'm 60
ing to doctor you up right smart; OF
you'll be having ear ache or something
all the winter; and like as not you will
be down sick when the winter comes
and l shall just have to stay at home
aud 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
was left alone" b'l5a
Only the cat listened to poor Dolly S
doleful words. "0hl it's dreadful to be
a doll, she said " | am all twisted up.
Lucy Ann tells folks the rhemauties did
! it; but know twas herself-pulling me
so, and twitching me when she gets mad.
Wish / could get mad too, sometimes;
but guess | wouldn't tell folks story
about it. Oh it's awful to be a doll,
and have new head put on; and i
know I've got to, if she puts that thing
on; for it's just going to stick fast and
pull all the red off my face, / know it
is" at
Dear mel how loud you do purr"
said Lucy Ann to the cat going into her
room and taking up Jane Marie ipher
arm. 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.
Castor-oil is always good for babies, if
they re sick or anything, said Lucy
Ann, when the bread and milk poultice
was bound on Dolly's cheek, and the
cat licking the milk from the dish. The
spoon was full. A knock at the kitchen
door startled Lucy Ann. The spoon
shook, and down spread the oil over
Dolly, Lucy AIMS dress, and the cat S
| fur.
II thought twas mother come home, "
said the child, springing up to hide her
doctoring" from sight. 'as.
mo! it's just me, said Sarah Burns,
and | come to see if your mothers got
any castor oil. Mrs. Browns baby has
been taken sick, sudden and they can't t
wait to send to the doctor.
oi"Yes, here it is, said Lucy Ann;
right here. 3ie at9i
Sarah Burns took the bottle and run
with it to Mrs. Brown
Isn't it lucky for me" thought Lucy
Ann, "that she came; for what would
mother say to all this And now she'll
think l spilled it out, getting the bottle
for Mrs. Brown" After while the
darkness began to gatherin the tall ever
greens by the kitchen-windows, and Lucy
Ann began to feel very unhappy. She
had burned mp 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 evidence was
out of sight, but the little actor did not
feel one bit better. lht
At last her mother came home. As
soon as the lamps we're lighted she saw
the oil on the child's dress.
Lucy Ann, what is that on your new
dress?" she asked. -
1T is castor oil, mamma.
How come it there2Pger
Lucy Ann hung down her head, and it
was still in the room for a minute. Then
the little girl looked up, and a twitching
about her lips disappeared with the
words: .etDt. cod .GytiN
/ spilled it. was playing give Jane
Maria some for the mumps.
Playing with castor oil-and in your
new dressl" exclaimed her mother, who
knew nothing of the temptation her lit
tie girl had resisted. lyon shall go to
bed for that without any light"
Lucy Ann went slowly up stairs. The
big round moon looked into her room,
and lit it up while she undressed. The
cat had followed her. 1t jumped upon
the bed and curled itself close beside the
little girl. .9n.y
81 don't care pussy if am sent to
bed" said Lucy Ann sobbing II told
the truth anyhow, and I'm real glad /
did. And won't mamma be glad, too,
when / tell her about it tomorrow
Pussy didn't answer, bnt Lucy Ann
was comforted just the same. .rr