The Potter journal and news item. [volume] (Coudersport, Pa.) 1872-1874, 1873-02-28

drops upon Aer Ioreneau.
'Nannie,' said she, decisively, I'VE
must go right straight home
DO it shower an rain?' inquired
Arthur, anxiously.
Only a little bit. 1t won't hurt
u.s. And the two started.
Here their trouble commenced !;
for, as the little girls wrapped their
shawls about them, to keep off the
fast-falling drops, Arthur donned his
calico again. What 'sawr that was
so hard to fold and so much hard
er to put on properly, getting the
ends nice and even as Nannie's were.
1t seemed as if the very elements
conspired against it, for it tapped
helplessly right and left in the rain
Git was coming faster now J, and the
fierce wind almost tore it from the
little shoulders.
'Nannie!' cried the little fellow,
imploringly. I'm dettin' wet. /
Take off that old shawl, said Nam
ME. You'll be dryer without it
now.'
No
Let me pin it, then. | can make
it stay on beautifully. So
But Arthur didn't want it pinned.
Just then it seemed as if the heay-
ems were opened, indeed, and the
rain descended furiously upon the
unprotected little figures. Arthur
began to cry, and his companions
felt very much like following his eX-
ample. That would never do, how
ever; for what would become Of their
little charge if they were to lose
heart. Mabel, becoming suddenly
solicitOus about the state of her hat,
threw her shawl over it and walked
along, looking like q funny little
Mother D""uh-' OF ..nrrrse. then.
Nannie's hat must be covered, too.
SO they went on for a moment with
out speaking, until, hearing a cry OF
distress some distance behind them
they turned, and behold. Arthur was
yainly tr, ing to cover his old straw
hat with the dripping calico.
Did you ever see such a little
goose?' cried Mamie. 4 wish we
didn't bring him.
i conclusion to which Mabel had
arrived some time before.
Come on! she called, at the TOP
Of her little voice.
Il tan't. My hat'll Diet wet
'Twon't hurt your old hat any,
screamed Mamie.
Yes twill. 1t showers an rains.
Just rs if we didn't know that!
said Mabel, laughing, in spite of hel
fears. Come, Nannie,' said she, al
length. seeing Arthur was still work
ing hard with his refractory garment
we must go and get him.
Arthur said she, as they ap
preached, you must be good boy
and take hold Of my hand. Dinner'l
be all ready before we get home
and
but it showers an rains pleaded
Arthur, his lip quiyering. My hatI
-dct-all-'
Your hats spoilt now,' cried Nan
ME, impatiently. 'It's an a,ctul look
ing thing, any way. III do it goot
"a, get washed. He.e, lake hold O.
NY hand
But Arthur's black eyes looked
defiance at her from under their long
! lashes. She had insulted his clothes
and he would have none Of her. Go
ing over to Mabel's side of the road
he placed his small hand in hers
saying, coaXingly; you'll fits me up
won't you, Mabee?'
And Mabel tried, but all her effort
to fasten the wet calico satisfactoril.
over the little hat were unavailing
so, though it was raining still, OF
came her own small shawl again.
1t didn't do her speck of good
really she said to Mamie; 1T wa
so wet
! And in half a minute came Al
thurs little piping voice:
Il DIES my sawl tan tum off. de
so. Don't do spet O. dood, do it!
So, hand in hand with his faithful
'Mabee,' he ,trotted along as fast a
his two small feet would carry him
1t was slow travelling, however, an
the little girls had plenty OF time t
think upon their homeward way. A
they drew near the house, Arthur
face frightened, while theirs gre'
sad and troubled: and theirs wer