River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1875-12-16
KTT7Y'S MISSION.


I
tinued from the previous summer, was
carried con so eagerly by kind .harted Ia.
dies who thus frightened with their floral
gifts so many wretchcd attic homes, and
gladdened SO great a number Of weary
hearts, Kitty listened each day 10 the dis.
cussion and comprehended with all the in.
telligeuce of her six summers the good
being done daily by these charitable
hearts, and at last formed secret plan
to start on her own hook, as the saying is,
a little "f over mission Of her own. She
dared not confde in her sisters, for they
would remind her that she was positive.
y forbidden to meddle with mammals
flowers. And Bridget kind.hearted old
soul though she was, would have betray.
cd her plan through fear. SAY the mis-
tress, do yees moind = So the little
girl was obliged to stile her small con.
science and keep her own counsel.
For some DAYS she found no chance to
begin her charitable operation, for sister
Isabel was not very we'll and remained at
home when the rest Of the family were
out among the hospitals, factories and
such institutions as crammed daily with.
in their walls the more unfortunate class
es of humanity. Kitty did wish with all
heart that Isabel would get well, and half
suspected it was plan Of her sisters to
spoil her ''fower misSin." But Isabel
had no thought Of or Tor anybody except
certain somebody with whom she had
disagreed few weeks ago, and as regu.
lar 'loyer's quarrep had been the conse-
quence, it was more than likely ttat her
sickness was more Of the heart than body.
But pride came to her aid again, and
alter few days of weakness, during
which Kitty discovered her one evening
crying over and kissing photograph Of
the absent young gentleman, the young
lady held up her head as proudly as
usual and renewed her flower mission
duties as actively as ever.
1t happened one bright morning Kitty
stole, unobserved by Bridget. into nam.
ma IS garden and stood hesitatingly among
the flowers so carefully cultivated and
Grained the way they should go" She
finally ventured to pick one rose which
blushed for shame at Kitty's disobed-
ence and made itself look so beautiful
that sly Kitty was delighted with her
mission business. A few leaves. and
some bright yellow dandclions growing
in the grass-plot, were next added, and
our little girl stole into the house and
up to the parlor window to watch for a
beggar boy or girl to whom she might
offer her boquet and hear him or her
say in return. "Thank you, miss -
The chance came, presently, for pale,
peaked little boy with his basket enter.
ed the the area gate only to to be scared
away by gruff tones from Bridget, which
said there's "sorra a bit fur him.
Then Kitty went to the door and sharp.
ly called. ''Little boy, does you want
some flowers z" The sweet voice attract.
ed the weary boy, and he reached his
hand through the railing for Kitty's gift.
Such a sweet smile frightened his face
and "thank you, little imiss!' he said.
Kitty Strengthened up and repeated the
words softly to herself. Nobody had
ever before called her Miss and she
thought it was beautiful to be so address
ed
The neighbors opposite wondered to
see so many beggars turn from Mrs.
Grey's door with knots of flowers in their
hands during that morning, but supposed
Bridget to be the generous donor, and
resolved to inform Mrs. Grey Of the ex-
traordlnary proceedings. Meanwhile,
Kitty had trotted out so often among the
flowers, picking her little gifts for the
beggars, that at last she ceased to have
computations regarding disobedicnce Of
mammals commands, and formed another
plan to be put into execution the next
day if possible. When the next morning
came and Kitty had been kissed and left
in care of Bridget, with the injunction
to be "good girl'' the child slipped out
among the flowers and with eager little
fingers gathered as many roses and fra
grant blossoms as she dared. and filled
up with leaves and dandelions as usaul.
These she placed in her little wheelbar-
row, tied her shade hat over her golden
curls and crept nOiselessly from the
house into the street. To be sure she
had never been allowed to 90 out alone,
but what Of that This was flower
missin,' and she was out on business. So
on she went, trund.ing her wheelbarrow
and trying to find beggar to give her
treasures to. The neighbors seeing the
little figure, smiled and thought Mrs.
Grsy's Kitty was enjoying unusual indie
pendence for once, and then forgot her as
she went her way.
At last, after many blocks had been
passed, the little girl turned into a miser.
cradle street which seemed full Of tumble
down buildings and shops with their win.
dows filled with bottles and signs hang.
ing outside where were painted pictures
Of mugs foaming with drink ofsome kind,
Kitty did not know what. The odors of
most dsagreeble kinds caused Kitty
aristocratic little nose to make more Of a
pug of itself than was already natural,
that and little regret entered her heart
poor people didn't live in the handsome
streets like her mammals street. Here
some rude children crowded about her
and asked her for some flowers which
the child was afraid to refuse or to yield
either. But they soon left her in peace
and she went on thinking the "lower
missin was not very nice work after all.
BY and.by she met man all rags and
tatteTs going slowly up the steps OF "bot
/ tie house," as she called the miserable
tween the crowded row OF houses and
wiped the tears from her checks An
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