American citizen. [volume] (Canton, Miss.) 1864-1890, 1873-04-05

! gum DfbuSuI COHsolh
ton, her little face still woIe decidedly
anxious and care-worn expression.
where do you live?" asked the clerk,
at length.
''In my papa's house." replied Midget,
who was complacently munching her
fourth gum-drop.
"On what streetS"
Midget had often been told, but she
couldn't think now.
whats your fathers Manner"
; "Mr. Taylor" cried Midget, in sud-
den spasm of affection, bestowIng upon
him the name she loved best.
ooh, no, Midget! His names John
Junior Aliens, Mamma said So"
'His names Mister Taylorl'' reiterated
"What does he dor, inquired the
amused clerk.
Something's" answered Midget,
screwing up her little mouth most be-
witchingly.
"Does he have store like thisf"
eyes"
ooh, no, Midget. He don't have any
grue' store"
"Yes, he d." persisted Midget. Pidget
was much distressed.
"She's telling lots of stories, but
guess she don't mean to-" she said, apol-
ogetically.
what does your father keep in his
store?" asked the clerk, turning to Pid-
get, as the most reliable authority.
| II don't know"
| doesn't he bring mother something
| from his store sometimesY"
| He brings her rubbers some days
| when her feet gets all wet"
HE bringed my mamma a turkey
once" put in Midget.
| Customers came in at that moment,
and the interrogations were discontinued.
10 I'D H. IL l.
| down a large book from one of the
shelves, and turned over the leaves most
industriously for a moment. Coming to
the columns of AS, he scanned it care
fully, and at last he found the name, Che
was sure it was the right one), "John
Allen, Jr."
81 know where you live" he said, turn
where good little girls live. It's in my
book here"
SIS it?" she inquired, wonderingly.
Eyes, I can tell the very house. By
and-by, when dinner-time comes, we'll
go and find it. In the meantime, sup
pose you take off your things: l should
really like to know how you look"
This, however, the children stoutly
refused to do.
Suddenly remembering their assumed
characters, "Miss And'sen" informed him
that the measles were prevailing in her
family to an alarming extent, while
misses Taylor" discovered, all at once,
that her only object in coming QUIT tina.
morning, was to purchase 'med'cin" for
her defnnct husband. They were still
talking in their funny little baby way,
the clerk laughing heartily as he listened,
especially when some sage remark, rem
dered doubly emphatic by shake of the
curly head, caused the large bonnet to
bob backward and forward in sympathy,
when the door opened-and-'Pap
Papa--Papa!' cried both children at
once, rushing into his outstretched arms.
Poor papa, coming home at dinner
time, had found the house deserted,
Aunt Lizzie, and Bridget all
having gone in pursuit of the runaways.
He waited until mamma returned, then
started off with heavy heart, whic h was
suddenly lightened as he caught glimpse
Of the two queer little figures in the drug
store.
He was too happy to scold them, but
he dwelt at great length upon the anxiety
of poor mamma, and her grief at finding
that her dear little girls didn't love her,
which was quite as etfectual.
1--WE do love her," cried Pidget, her
blue eyes filling.
II love her dee ly.'' sobbed Midget.
Glow could you run away and leave
her, then? Where were you going?"
"Going to do some realty calls" replied
ooor Pidget.
"ReeIy calls" echoed little Midget.
Papa looked at his wee daughters, and
becoming suddenly conscious of the ex-
ravagant head-gear SO Enthusiastically ar
the sober Gent faces Gen stsfR1f hs
laughed aloud-he couldn't help it.
The children frightened at once, though
hey couldn't feel that they were quite
forgiven until they reached their pleasant
home again, and had given mamma one,
.wo, three, forty kisses, with many prom
ses of good behavior for the future.
81 won't never run off again, exclaim-
ID Pidget.
81 shan't ever be naughty no time" said
Midget, with the air of one who had done
with life's follies forever.
"DOnt cry, mamma.
There were tears in mammals eyes, but
ler lips were smiling. The babies were
puzzled. They understood it as little as
hey understood the length, and breadth
A blessed knowledge, which will come to
hem more fully when the cares come,
md the confident little hearts begin to
feel their weakness. Come with God
.iven strength and sweetness, in which
hey may safely put their trust They
will know it, and be thankful by-and.by.
The children have never forgotten their
Kind benefactor. Many are the "calls"
which they have made upon him at the
pretty grug store" but never, l am
Happy to say, without permission.
Midget has even promised to see him
Iafely through an attack OF measles, in
.ase he should be afflicted with that dire
disease. Wise little Midget makes no
promises, but as she saved her most
beautiful "Christmas horn" for him,
lorn full and running over with all sorts
If irresistible candies, think my safely
firm in her own sweet baby language,
hat she Gloves him dee-ly. "-ChrsSt'an
Union.
SOAP and Its Antiquity.