The Republican journal., 1873-06-26
Mr.. Porter.

here SAID Mr. Porter, as he wrote
the last line with flourish, and rose from
the table hurriedly don't let me forge
this letter 1t contains about sixteen adj
dresses that | can't get along without.
copied them all on one sheet to save
bother. I'll put it up here, on the end O.
the mantel-piecc"
Why don't you put ii in your pocket
papa, and then you will be sure to have
H?" Thus spoke the watching Elsie
Because my pockets that have about
me now will be hanging in the clothes
press when | am in the city | declare,
haven't much time to lose !" and Mr.. Por
Ter hustled away to dress
Mrs. Porter emerged presently from his
dressing room. Elsie, run quick anc
ask Mr.. Wheeler it he wants papa tc
carry that package; and if he does, tell
him to have it at the cars in ten minutes
or it will be too late. Be spry now. -
And Elsie put Baby Nell in Dicks lap anc
ran. Just a minute more and Mrs. Por-
ter came again. Where's Fred 2n she
said quickly. Dick. do you know what
has become of him 2''
81 saw him go down the hill with
Charlie Wheeler, lust a minute ago
ma'am"
Dear me what nuisance | wish he
was ever here when he was wanted
Iou'll have to go, Dick Gel your hat as
quick as You can, and run into the store
and tell Stephen that Mr.. Porter want:
that bundle that is in the right-hand cor.
ner of the drawer. Now be Just as quick
Il possible. There is always a dozen
things left till the last minute. to hinder
people"
Where shall | leaye Baby Nell
ma'am o.
Set her on the carpet, and give hel
something 10 play with. III keep watch
of her.
Then they went their different WAYS
and Baby had he room to herself. She
looked around her with great solemn
eyes She had Elsie's slipper and a red
ball TO play with; but she had PLAYED
with them score of times, until they had
quite worn her Imagination out. 1t stood
10 reason that she ought to be able to find
something OF more importance in that
great room to take up her attention. Sc
she threw the ball under the sofa and
tucked Il e slipper in her cradle and COW
cred 1T up then she started on her travels
There were Il good many things thai
one would suppose would have taken uI
her attention, and ii does seem strange
that she should have made straight for
the mantelplece; yet that was precisely
what she did. She climbed up on hen
stool; and from that to the great easy
chair, and by standing or the arm of it,
her curly head Just reached tie mantel.
She gave little squeal of delight, and
seizing upon the important letter, pumped
herself into the easy chair to read it. Peo-
pie read letters; she had seen them often !;
why shouldn't she? The envelope was
not sealed, and her small fingers easily
jerked out the sheet. Then you would
have been edited. If you could have seen
and heard her. Such curious iareon as
she ratified of, stopping now and then to
throw back her head and laugh; as if the
contents of the letter were very funny.
indeed. As She turned the Leaf the stiff
paper tore little; it made curious
noise; quite a scholar, indeed, in the art
of studying out new ones She paused
in her reading, and gave the paper quick
little Jerks. ''Cris, cris," it went; most
delightful crispy sound.
Baby Nell giggled triumphantly; SO
much more improving this was than read
ing She was studying the acoustics
She was very industrious little body A;
and il took but short time for her def
little fingers to tear all Papa Porter's i'm
portant addresses into such narrow rib
bons that it would have been very hard,
indeed, to have made them out. There
they were, in a nice little heap in her lap.
She gave sigh of satisfaction, and won
dered what to do next. She decided to
go back TO the mantel, and Selling the
envelope that she had not chosen to tear,
she climbed up again.
There was a glass of water on the man.
tel. and she chose to consider herself
thirsty. She promptly dropped the en-
velope, in almost the same position that
she found it, and Selling the tumbler,
clambered down, without spilling more
than hal. the contents.
Arrived on the floor, she forgot he,
thirst and began eagerly to gather up the
whole army of strips, tear them into
smaller bits, and send them swimming
At this point, Mr.. Porter rushed out,
seized up Baby Nell, kissed her hurriedly
sat her down again, snatched the empty
envelope from the mantel, and flew ou