The Redwood gazette. [volume] (Redwood Falls, Minn.) 1873-1940, 1873-05-29
A DAY LOST.

Twas sewing away one morning, for
dear life, as the saying is, intending to
make good day of it, and put my work
ahead, when Hetty, my little daughter,
five years old, gave a pull at my elbow,
and said: Mamma"
"Well, dear, what is wanted?" I did
not look aside from my work, into her
sweet little face, nor speak in as loving
tones as usual, for the interruption was
not wholly agreeable.
Cant l have my wax doll, mamma?"
Now this wax doll was a treasured pres
ent from grandmother, highly priced and
carefully treated by Hetty; and after be-
ing tenderly nursed by her, dressed and
undressed, on rare occasions, laid away
under lock and key in one of my bureau
drawers.
Mot today" was my answer.
"Why not to-day, mammas"
Sure enough, why not to-day? That
was just the question. Was it because
Hetty might injure the doll? No, that
was not the reason; for she was careful
little girl. The true reason was, l did not
utes time in going upstairs to the bureau.
Just this, and no more. But, what reply
was made to Hetty? A very unreasonable
mother should ever make.
Because you can't have Dolly to-day"
Because-how many shortcomings and
sins of omission are covered by this con-
venient, vaguely meaning little word.
II won't hurt her, mother, IN be oh! so
careful. Do, mother, let me have Dolly"
Didn't 1 say that you couldn't have
Init ,,,xy hroVx,c or1 rr,s<l, co,,,o
severity. Having said no, must be firm.
Right or wrong, t must be consistent; that
is, have my own will in the case And as
l was the stronger of the two, of course
my will decided the question between us.
Poor Hetty! She knew something of
my hard decision of character, and retired
from her face to my work, I carried in my
mind the image Of her grieving lips and
tear-filled eyes. Was 1 rebukeds Yes.
Did repent? Yes. And go for the doll
at once? No. I was busy at my work
and could not spare minute. Sewing
seams was of more consequence than SOW
ing seeds of happiness in the heart of my
child. And then, had not said that Dolly
was not to make her appearance to-day?
Was I to break my word? No. must
be consistent mother, if I expected to
govern my children Alright.
1t was very still in the room for the
next ten minutes. Only a.sob or two broke
the. silence, at first, as Hetty choked down
her disappointment. She had crept into
the great arm chair, and was sitting there
idle and silent. After while I turned
partly around, and glanced toward her
stealthily. Her brow was contracted, her
lips pursed out slightly, and over her
whole face was shade of unhappiness.
"Why don't you get your china doll?"
said l, rather coldly.
II don't want my china DOLL" she an
swered.
ooh, very well, just as you please, my
little lady," returned; and took no mo-
tice of her for ten minutes longcr-all the
while working away as intently as if our
next meal depended on the result of my
labor. was sorry that had not taken
the time to get Hetty's wax doll; but, as
had said no, concluded that it was best
to let no remain in force.
Presently she slipped down from the
armchair, and went quietly from the
room. paused in my work, and listened
to the light patter of her feet as she went
up stairs. s
A faint sigh, born of a passing regret,
came up from my heart. ut would have
been better if had given her the doll"
said l, to myself. "But it is too late
now" s '@'
So I bent to my sewing again, and made
the little needle fly with increased veloc-
iy:,
II wonder where that child is, and what
she is doing?'
Nearly half an hour had passed since
Hetty left the room. Ipaused in my work
as asked myself this question, and list
ened. But I could hear no sound of her.
I would have laid down my sewing and
gone in search of her, only-what? felt
as if l could not spare the time!
"Hetty!"
There was no reply
"Hetty! Where are your"
My voice was raised to a louder kew |;
but no response came. So I bent to nv
work once more.
But this uncertainty as to where the
child had gone, and what she was doing,
could not very long be borne. The time
came when I dropped everything, and
started in some concern of mind from the
room. I looked into my chamber, but she
was not there. called, but got no an
swer. Then ran up to the third story,
and pushed the door of one of the rooms
open hastily. In the middle Of the bed cat
my little tyuaut busily at work with . pail