Wyandot County Republican. [volume] (Upper Sandusky, Ohio) 1869-1903, 1872-04-04
LUCY ANN'S LITTLE TEMPTATION.

Lucy Ann was the little girl. Jane
Maria was the doll. Lucy Ann said to
Jane Maria, one day, Snow, you've just
gone and got the mumps, 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 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. "Ohl it's dreadful to be a
doll" she said. 81 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 could get mad, too, some
times; but l guess wouldn't tell folks a
story bout it. OH it's awful to be doll,
and have a new head put on; and know
I've got to, if she puts that thing on; for
it's Jest a-going to stick fast and pull all
the red off my face. know it is"
"Dear mel how loud you do purrl" said
Lucy Ann to the cat, going into the room
and taking up Jane Maria in her arms.
Kittie followed them into the kitchen.
'tNow, 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 check, and the cat was
licking the milk from the dish. The
spoon was 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.
81 thought twas mother come home,
said the child, springing up to hide her
''doctoring" from sight.
'sNol it's Just me-" said Sarah Burns,
and 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;
''right 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 l spilled it out, getting the bottle
for Mrs. Brown" After 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 check that haC
no paint on it. The ecideRce was out o.
sight, but the little actor did not feel one
bit better.
At last her mother came home. A:
soon as the lamps were lighted she saw
the oil on her child's dress.
Lucy Ann, what is that on your new
dress?" she asked.
at is castor-oil, mamma"
''How came it there?"
Lucy Ann hung down her head, and ii
was still in the room for a minute. Then
the little girl looked up, and a twitching
about her lips disappeared with the
words:
al spilled it. was playing give JANE
Maria some, for the mumps."
"Playing with castor-oil-and in you
new dress p' exclaimed her mother, whC
knew nothing of the temptation her littl'
girl had resisted. "You shall 60 to be-
for that without any light"
Lucy Ann went slowly upstairs. Th'
big round moon looked into her room
and lit it up while she undressed: Th
cat had followed her. 1t jumped upol
the bed and curled itself close beside th'
little girl.
"I don't care, pussy, if l am sent t
bed" said Lucy Ann, sobbing. Il tolC
the truth anyhow, and Pm real glad did
And won't mamma be glad, too, when
tell her all about it tomorrow ?"
Pussy didn't answer, but Lucy Ann wa
comforted Just the same.-HeaTth an
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