Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1874-12-10
Mi9feIlaaeQns.
RKEODA's LITTLE SISTER.
BY MARY c. BARTLETT.

b1 MARY u BA RIDEII.
Rhsda was ashttlescounfry girl. She
had the fattest, r0siest cheeks you ever
saw, ami as for her eyes, they were just
like two shining staIs beIow her fore
head-two bright, black stars, that
sparkled sometimes and flashed some
times, and once in awhile, alas, grew
dull and dim, as the clouds and the
rain almost hid them from view.
But one pleasant Autumn morning
the black eyes sparkled as they had
never sparkled before, for who should
be standing beside Rhoda's bed but
grandma, and what should she have in
her arms but a squirming little bun.
die. Rhoda couldn't speak. She could
only gaze. Sograndma proceeded to
peel, the bpndle.sand being peeled, ! it
proved to be nothing more nor less
than baby, the very 'littlest' baby
that Rhoda had ever seen. - 20
Whose is it?' she inquired, wonder
ingIy. ....,..
Jacks. She's come to live here
Has she?
Yes, she's your lEtie sister3.S Fsg
Rhoda took one of the small hands in
hers. Both, little fists were doubled
up, as if the baby were only. wanting
an opportunity to exhibit her Skill Jas
a pugilist. 1t was such a little hand
that Rhoda dropped it. Then She
looked up into the face. She saw. a.
mouth that : Kept working in some
mysterious way. She saWa bit ofnOse,
and no eyes at all.
Can she see, grandma"
Yes, Indeed, as well as you can. i
must take,her back now. She wants to
go .t, to seer. sassR III essSNa
You shall see her after breakfast
So Jack had to dress Rhoda, which
did not please that little lady at all.
She slfked Jack'ag good leaf som netimes.
but be was sEwaysjn such y hurry He
never would let her button her boots
'her own SELF
Guess you won't ever sit in moth
er's lap again; said-thatr young gentle-
man as he came into the room.
'There won't De any room. That
new baby is going to stay
Poor Rh6da! Tie green-eyed mon
ster crept into ier little heart then and
.But.faon't Want her 70 stay y .ss,
well, she will. tI''" - "a -
How long will shec' .
'As long as she lives, p replied JACK
confidently.
A deleful 5pr6spsct fog aqlittle girl
who was not much bigger than baby
herself. Rhoda's, eyes became ,suspi-
'"Fs,y For shame, shame RhoGdaa Gda' Stiles! Crying y
just because you've got little sisterp
Il wasnFerylDg.' - q.
What do You: cm. tbatsH and Jack
pointed to a shining drop that had fall
en- upon his hand. 3.li+o'7-- 'f 49,
'My-eyes-sweated,@ whinperedt
Rhoda, lesking at the sanleTtime fofF
her 1ewPWket- -handkefehisf 4 II
'Cdme,I EhRiA, doat Hind wfatai
J&cksays; fh0ther wants to See you,'
said grandma, who had been standing
at the doorway for few seconds un-
seen. He's good hearted boy as ey-
er lived, ~added the. old lady to her.
self, but 1t does Beat all how he loves
to tease that child 80 -g,s-i mind
Rhoda found that mamma hadn't ,
given aliher kisses t6,the new baby at /,
anyrate. She bad 'ever'n ever so ma
n.y. saved up for her.
You like me, don't you mamma?'
Just a wee. bit,' laughed mamma.
Won't it be nice to have little sister
o play with. Rhoda?'1s- '''
The little girl glanced at the baby's /
read and the helpless, restless hands.
she can't play, mammal ~
Not now; but she'll grow and grow,
nd get stronger and stronger, until
ne of these days, we, shall find that >
We havesaslittle girl here instead of =
ably. AGttleigiI1lwh can run and
lay, and laugh and ,rOmp, and who i,
ill love RhOda ever SO much.' {,
This wascertainly something to look y
,rward TO. All, through the day, as o
ne trotted ab6tit the house, or played r.
the garden, she thought of the time
hen her sisters feet would be strong
1ough 70 Join Eher Of6 efeU OF! course "
:e would grow, and grow. Incredi- il
g as it now appeared, she was a. baby n
ice herself, and she had even heard y,
igue whispers ofihetime when Jack lu
AS in Hong cigt tfs.r Rhoda began tol
Iioy aief Hs tie@ister already 7. IN ahti-
patton of the delights of future com nj
B"t nhpe.i asaaae Lame shss did pc Pc
iss mamma, oh, so dreadfully! Jack h'
ed to be kind but was there ever al
ybody just like nanma? Rhoda ~
ought not. h.
say your prayers, Rhoda.' IN II,
You'd You better. ed Won't take care ds q,
you, If You doft. -. r,.sl...g - 'ol- +,
He dGii't love iiaIIghty girls q .-e =
wouidn't love Him, neither ~ -
Mannfia heard, the 'spunky,i Little -
,es. - va.9.l4I basafi 10 ,oiai1 ~ iyl
Let Rhala coinein here 4 moment, an
, said to grandma. wi
2hoda walked slowly yiutp the room, tn
ding grandals's hsbd.- She did not w,
k n bit like an angel. though she z o.
: dressJd in. woite. Her face was ,r,:
;, s~ led up: ~. = s.asat s,i "a ~ II
iine.c TOWN here beside me- and 1r s,r
youF pra, ersa wefN;; yos dafii2st:3 az az
les z Rhoda v Utj,d, = : ssiifaaiss1S-cQst- co'
celsIes to siG.,e at1heApropusitiOn. CO.
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