Dodgeville chronicle. [volume] (Dodgeville, Wis.) 1862-current, 1873-05-09
A DAY LOST.

| WAS sewing away one morning, for
dear life, as the saying is, intending to
make a 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?" [ 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.
"Can't have my wax doll, mamma?"
Now this wax doll was treasured pres
cnt from grandmother, highly priced and
carefully treated by Hetty; and after be-
ing tenderly nursed by her, dressed and
undrcssed, on rare occasions, laid away
under lock and key in one of my bureau
drawers.
"Not today" was my answer.
''Why not to-day, mamma?"
Sure enough, why not to-day? That
was. lust 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, | did not
wish to leave my work and lose five min
utes time in going upstairs to the bureau.
Just this, and no more. But, what reply
was made to Hetty? A very unreasonable
and unsatisfactory one; and such as no
mother should ever make.
Because you can't have Dolly to-day"
Bccause-how many shortcomings and
sins Of omission are. covered by this con-
venicnt, vaguely meaning little word.
81 won't hurt her. mother, III be oh so
careful Do, mother, let me have Dolly"
Didn't | say that you couldn't have
Dolly?"
| knit my brOws and spoke with some
severity. Having said no. / must be firm.
Right or wrong, must be consistent; that
is. have NV own will in the case. And as
| was the stronger of the two, of course
nv will decided the question between us.
Poor Hetty! She knew something of
nv hard decision of character, and retired
from the contest. AS I turned my eyes
from her face to my work, carried in my
mind the image of her grieving lips and
tcar-filled eyes. Was [ rebuked? Yes.
Did | repent? Yes. And go for the doll
at once? No. | was busy at my work
and could not spare a minute. Sewing
seams was of more consequence than SOW
inc seeds of happiness in the heart OF my
child. And then, had | not said that Dolly
was not to make her appearance today?
Was | to break my word? No. | must
be consistent mother if [ 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 a while [ 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 /, rather cOldly.
II don't want my china doll" she an
swered.
"Oh, very well, just as you please, my
little lady, l returned; and took no no.
tice of her for ten minutes lOnger-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. I concluded that it was best
to let no remain in force.
Presently she slipped down from the
armchair, and went quietly from the
room. I paused in my work, and listened
to the light patter Of her feet as she went
up stairs.
A faint sigh, born of passing regret,
came up from my heart "It would have
been better if l had given her the doll"
said l, to myself. "But it is too late
now"
So bent to my sewing again, and made
the little needle fly with increased veloc-
ity..
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 l asked myself this question, and list
ened. But could hear no sound Of her
I would have laid down my sewing and
gone in search of her, only-what? felt
as if | could not spare the time!
"Hetty!"
There was no reply.
"Hetty! Where are you?"
My voice was raised to louder key
but no response came. So I bent to my
work once more.