American citizen. [volume] (Canton, Miss.) 1864-1890, 1873-05-10
Little Martha.
BY MARY L. BOLLES BRANCH.

1
Aunt Martha came to spend the day
with Kitty's mother. She took off hel
bonnet and veil and shawl, and laid then
| in the best bedroom. Then she sat dOwr
in the parlor with her knitting. Kitty
was on the floor building card houses, and
her mother WAS very busy sewing.
| By-and-by Kitty got up from the floor
| for She was tired of her houses, and moi
| knowing what to do she went into the
bedroom. There lay all Aunt Martha's
things on the bed. Kitty shut the door
and tried the bonnet on before the glass
| 1t was certainly large enough-there was
room for all her curls.
She did not go back into the parlor, but
her mother and Aunt Martha had so much
to say they did not think anything about
her. But by-and-by Aunt Martha, who
was sitting by the window, dropped her
knitting in her lap-she saw such queer
little lady coming up the garden path to
the front door.
For mercy's sake, look here" she ex,
claimed.
Kitty's mother went to the window and
looked out. The queer little lady who
was coming up the path walked in very
slow and dignified manner, with her head
held very straight. Her shawl was so
long that it dragged on the ground behind
her, and the wind blew her veil about;
fed. She had rosy checks, and brown,
curly hair, and her lips were set very
prim and tight. She knocked at the front
door. Kitty's mother opened it.
"Who is this?" she asked, very politely.
my name is little MARTHA" said the
queer small lady, in prim voice.
"Oh, it is little Martha, is it? / am
very glad to see you! Do walk inH'
So little Martha walked in, and was in
80 tf,n Vnrr No i'm I1aIr
She smoothed her dress carefully as she
sat down, and removed her troublesome
veil Then she frowned at Aunt Martha,
who was so unlucky as to laugh.
1T is very pleasant day, ma'am," said
Aunt Martha, timidly.
"Yes'm, quite pretty pleasant" prompt
ly replied little Martha. Il thought I'd
call here before went to the minister's"
Pm glad you did" said kitty's mother,
cordially 'Do take your bonnet off and
spend the day"
Nom, never take my bonnet off" said
little Martha. I'm engaged; l can't stop
long"
II wish my little girl was here" re-
marked Kitty's mother; "she would be
glad to see you. l wonder where she is.
Kitty. Kitty"
But Kitty didn't answer. A smile trem-
bled in the corners of little Martha's rosy
lips, but she forced it back and held her
head still straighter.
II don't care bout little girls, she said !;
I'm most forty"
The front door opened with bang, and
in rushed Kitty's brother Tom, exclaim-
ing:
1--WE got my pocket full of candy. Fa-
Their bought it down town, half for me, and
half for Kitty"
"Oh, Tommy. is it almonds and rock
candy." cried the queer little lady, scram-
bling down out of the rocking-chair as
fast as she could, and running to him.
Yes, sirr' said Tom. Lets go under
the table and divide" And under the
table they went.
"Oh, dear! oh, dcar!' said Aunt Mar
tina, looking very much alarmed as she
picked up IA shawl and bonnet from the
floor. "Why, what has become of that
nice little old lady who was here just
now? Did she faint away? Did she go
through the floor? Oh, what shall we
dor
And Kitty giggled under the tahle-it
was so funny to think that Aunt Martha
did not know who the little old lady was.
-(HrisfiJD Union.