Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1875-07-15
WHAT Myrtle LEARNED BY THE
r-"1a. FOUNTAIN. Psi.

| " ALWAYS filling ones pitcher and al
ways finding it empty-that seems to be
all there is left of life.''
Myrtle Austen set her pitcher down
with a 6 bang that would have broken
its heart if the soft green grass had not
held up tender hands to save it. In a mo-
ment Myrtle was ashamed of her impa-
tient temper, yet as she picked up the
pitcher with one hand she brushed away
the hot tears with the other, and stood
listening to the soft gurgle of the water,
as she kept saying softly: $50 much to
learn if one only had time; such great,
wide world to know if one could get out
into it." "A' .h"
1t had been hard morning in the little
cottage Myrtle called her home. Mother
was worried and unhappy over batch of
obstinate bread that refused to rise as it
ought to do. Davy had walked over the
clean floor with muddy feet as he gathered
his fsh-lines and bait from their hooks
and corners. Sue had stumbled over a
pot Of geranium slips that Myrtle had
| been watching month, and the baby
Well, if a baby chooses to behave ag-
| gravatingly it can succeed in a most Won
derful manner! He had pulled Myrtie's
hair to begin with. Then he had crept to
the corner of the cloth hanging over the
breakfast-table and dragged at it until a
cup had fallen and others nearly followed,
a few grains of salt had got in his eyes,
and goblet of water had wet his clean
dress.
Kitty Give had walked by with a roll of
music in her hand on her way to her
music lesson, and so doing looked like
! such happy girl to the watching eyes of
her friend Myrtle, who only sang as the
birds did, and might never learn note on
the piano. .as -.
So when Myrtle found herself in the
cool green nook by the pleasant fountain
she resolved to stay there long time and
| gaumbled softly in this wise:
q won't 90 home in an hour. Then
nobody can call Myrtle! Myrtieo every
minute and they can all get along some
how. Sue can look after the baby and
mother will contrive some other way if I
don't do this and that and the other I
wish | was bird; don't /, though? Moth
ing to do but fly and sing and drink and
have good time I wish | were Kitty
| Give, and could have on a blue muslin
and be going to take my music lesson in
stead of filing the kettle o dear!"
Myrtie's face had puckered itself into
an ugly pout that would have been funny
| if it had not been so wicked and unkind
rs she sat down to enjoy her new plan,
leaning her head against the green bank
and looking up at the bit of blue sky
glimmering in between the branches.
All at once it seemed to her that little
bit of an old woman in a green cloak and
red cap hoped along the wall toward her
and in queer little voice kept saying:
'' Better 60 home! better go homer
and plucked at her apron until she ran,
and followed her through great nodding
| ferns and nee-branches. She did not re-
member the way at all, but little Red
hood hoped on before her and whenever
she stopped chirped louder than ever:
. Better 60 home! better go hOme."
At last they came out of a wooded path
and found themselves close by Myrtie's
own door. 1t looked very lonely there.
| There was nothing to be seen of Sue or
Davie on the door-s,ep, and there was no
| sound anywhere; it was strangely still.
! In the old kitchen fireplace the ashes
we're cold in the hearth In the upper
rooms the beds Were made quite smoothly,
but no living thing was seen. Tie baby's
cradle was empty and tiger lily she had
tied about the baby's head was swinging
dry and dusty. '' -o. a.
She called softly to one and another:
Mother! Susie, Davie!' But there was
no answer, and she grew frightened at the
Stiffness. s-3
aRed7hood hoped about the room awhile
and finally drew Myrtie's attention to the
big Bible lying open at the family record.
And there in great black letters were the
fnames of all she loved beneath the heading
of : Deaths mother, Susie, Davie, baby
and ALL. u.----,
And then there came quick remem-
brance Of the tender mother-love that had
smoothed the rough places for her
! daughters feet, toiling on so patiently day