The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1872-05-10
Mnrgery's First Day ut school.


A chubby, sweet-faced child came into
eur Millbrook school-house one morn
ing, as a visitor. conducted with trem.
bling eagerness 10 my desk by Ernest
and Bessie Clapp, who introduced her
as their sister, and promised that she
would not disturb the school. She did,
however, as much as any other bluebird
would have done, and just as innocently;
so that | could only smile with the chill
dren, and long for the time to come
when | could count her among my little
flock.
She wore a bright blue dress and
cloak, which perhaps, as we'll as her
song, won her the name bluebird, that
day. A dozen times she forgot where
she was, and broke out in little melo
dies, sometimes without words, SO truly
musical, that raised my finger 10 check
Bessie as she was about TO interrupt her
After a few moments she would look up
and forget her song, in her surprise at
seeing so many children around her.
After the first class, called her to
me and asked her name.
Named after dwanmamma," she an.
swered quickly, and so comically that
the children laughed in spite of my up
lifted finger
And what is grandmamma's name ?"
Margerwy Sniff"
"Then you are Margery Smith"
yes, | is"
"Did you want 10 come TO school to
see what Bessie does here every day."
Yes, and TO drow bid lite Bessie"
She was in foolish haste, poor child.
"What will your mamma do to-day,
without you?n | asked.
wort, guess twy, maybe. tissed
her dood-by, for fear | shouldn't know
her to night"
Her straightforward answers amused
the children so much, that ! short
ened the interview, asking if she had
little lesson 10 say, like Bessie.
"Oh, yes here's the newest one
Aunt Tate did teach me, 'tause tut off
my turl." Folding her dimpled hands,
she said
Deere was little drl.
Who had little turl
That hung down on her forrid.
when she was dOod,
She was very dOOd indeed,
And when she was bad she was horrid."
Her emphasis was funny to hear, her
attitude and expression funny to see. !
dismissed her with picture that made
her blue eyes twinkle.
At recess no one wanted to play away
from Margery, and ! was almost jealous,
wanting TO have the little pet to myself
awhile. asked her to tell me another
story, which she did in her own crooked
little speech, which | translated to the
following;
Two little eyes. loving, bright eyes,
SHINING as bright and blue "a the skies;
Two little ears TO hear all the news;
Two little feet TO wear the new shoes;
Two little hands busy all day;
Vhe llttle body TO get in the way;
Vhe little mouth TO give kisses so sweet;
Mamma's little lady, dainty and neat,
" lIh nYe little fingers and five little toes,
ana what she'll be good for nobody knows"
How did those yellow locks get bob
ped OFT so unevenly on her forehead p
some one asked.
Oh, she did that her own self" an
swered Bessie. " Last Saturday Ernest
was going TO mill in the big wagon with
rather, and Margery cried to go. To
teaze her, father said it was too cold for
girls. Could she 90 if she was boy ?
she asked mother, and mother said she
supposed so. She was awful busy bak.
ing and never thought another thought
about 1T, for while. When she called