The Superior times. [volume] (Superior, Wis.) 1870-1912, 1873-11-01
How Matte Proved 1t.

4
after she had put herself outside of it, 81
almost forgot TO tell you, You mustn't
play paper-dollS in the parlor SADIE, don't
let Matte nor John go in there want to
md everything nice and clean when
come back. Now, mind what | say
| She was quite gone this time. When
| they were sure of that fact, such a shout of
| JOY went up, They were not glad that
mamma was gOne,-at least, they would
not for the world hSe said so for she
| was very good mamma indeed she made
| all their clothes, and treated them as kindly
as any mother could, but she was quite
strange about some things. She could not
endure the noise of only three little folks
| playing cars, or dolls, or school; and she
had not the slightest idea of the torture of
| sitting still. No, they were not glad she
was gone, but then it was Il kind o. NICE
to be all alone Even Malinda, the help,
had gone away to spend the afternoon, and,
though no one minded much what she said,
still it was a comfort to be able to plav
without having to keep time to an under
tone of scolding
Such running and playing and shouting
They played Handy Spandy," and . Ugly
lug and " Chick-a-my, Crane-a crow
until they were thoroughly tired. Then
>--NtC' NLbCiIN A4ldDIC " pay slSJ1cuSly dlt
more, bethought her of the entity of her
twelve years, and sat down to read. John
went oft to play with the boys, leaving lit
tie Matte to her own devices. She went
up stairs to play with her dear, darling
paper-dOils, and for a long time was very,
very quiet.
SADIE was obvious to all things save the
Imprisonment of Christian and Hopeful in
h.,
recalled her suddenly to the fact of hersex-
istence.
Why, where did you come from ?''
cried the startled girl.
= ., no ! no F." laughed Matte. But
didn't | scare you though"
Now the stairway came down into he
room where SADIE sat, and, as she was fac
ing it. it seemed impossible that Matte
could have descended without being seen
by her.
50 But how did you get down ? 1 did not
hear you"
Awicked, boastful bought came to Mat
tie - Jumped out of mammals window,
and came in at the door behind YOU
"Oh you never
But Matte was determinedto defend her
word Il know did, too"
. Now. Matte, you know it would kill
you to jump out of that window. You
couldn't do it
Matte was more obstinate than ever, so
she replied ''Well, did, anyway +"
8 Now, Matte Davenant, you know that
is not true. You know you couldn't"
Not true what she said not true
" SADIE DavenanCi when they were angry
they had a way OF calling each other by
their full names), chow dare you say that
You know that mamma does not allow us
TO call each other liars"
o never called yod liar! cried SADIE,
her eyes wide open at the bare idea Il only
said it wasn't uue.n
"It's all the same thing, anyway
" Wetl,y gu never jumped cut of that
window. If you did it once, you can do it
again. You won't do that, cause you're
afraid TO. There now J."
Come up stairs, and III show you
whether I'm afraid to or not"
NO said SADIE; "I'll stay down here
and watch to see if you will do it It's
not worth while to 90 up stairs, cause
know you won't"
Won't I, indeed You'll see, Missy!n
and she started on her way.
What little Mattie's thoughts were, 60
ing up those stairs, | cannot tell. The
spirit of obstluacy that possessed her de-
priyed the usually smart little girl of half
her senses. At any rate, with blood boiling
at the result SADIE had given her, she went
% the window, and, without a moments
waiting, flung he, self out, intending to
drop when the body stopped swaying
But Q, it was 50 far down there She saw
at one quick glance that the fail would
probably kill her.
Under the influence Of the fear that one
glance downward had brought to her. an
ger melted away, and thoughts of saving
herself took the place of resentment. She
struggled to draw herself up, SO as to gain
footing on the window-sill. All to no
purpose, however, as her little wrists were
too weak, and her weight too great. What
should she do?
SADIE, standing at the window beneath.
waiting for the proof, was smiling triumph
antly, and saying to herself, q knew
she wouldn't be such fool as to try it -
when she heard frightened voice calling,
- SADIE SADIE! . SADIE, come here" She
knew what that meant in an instant. She
went up stairs AID crossing to the window
in less time than | can write it.
20 SADIE, shall fall | know | shall u
screamed Matte, in terror.
Sade's hands were unOn her wrists. She
was all safe now, SADIE thought, and should
confess her untruth. = Why didn't you
jump? You could, you know, all this
time holding her by the wrist, bur not offer
ing to draw her in.
. o take me in, Please take me in Il
never jumped out of the window at all. II
came down the stairs, only you didn't see
me. o SADIE, take me in. Please do, and
I'll tell you all about it
SADIE tried to do so, but the weight of the
eight-year old was too much for the
strength of twelve years. 90 dear
can't! said she; you are too heavy.
" hat shall do : What shall do?
Away down street she spied John Reed.
the ice man, his cart slowly jogging on,
while be caTelessly sang How could he
sing when they were in such trouble He
would help them if he knew.
John Reed John Reed JOHN REED ~
called both SADIE and Matte.
=" SADIE was tired almost to the point of
letting Matte fall. As for Matte. she had
loOsened her hold three minutes before
from STEER inability to grasp the sill any
longer, and now hung 8 dead weight. on
cade's fast weakening arms. John looked
around slowly, wondering who was calling
him. He looked up, down, around
everywhere bat in the right direction.
= Here, John, right here." cried SADIE.
al in tremble lest he should fail to reach
them in time. He saw them now.
q" Hold on. III be there in a moment
he SAID jumping nimbly from the wagon
and running quickly to the spot Quickly?
Did ever man run so slowly? Why. it