The Rutland daily globe. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1873-1877, 1875-08-12
MOTHERS AND CHILDREN.
Tot Gees to Church.


by MARY c. BARTLETT, IN THE CHRISTIAN
UNION.
There was quite a commotion upon a
certain Sunday morning. Arthur Brown
and Agnes were going to take Tot to
church. "She will look as sweet as a pink
in her new hat" said Agnes ecstatically.
"Come here, Tot, and let me wash your
face" NO." answered Tot, with becom-
ing gravity. 9Th clean" "O-h, what
a. mean you're very much mistaken.
l can see everything you had for break
fast, Tot-almost." Tot regarded this as
a joke, and showed her small teeth APP
provingly. "What can you theep" she in
qured, curiously. 'Oh, beefsteak and
potatoes. Tot laughed aloud. "But l
Gated thome more. l Gated five things
more. What elthe can you seer 81 can't
see anything else," replied Agnes, waxing
impatient. IL haven't time. You must
come right straight here if you want to 60
to church."
Tot came. Agnes mixed the soap and
water with liberal hand. Snow, look
Tot wasn't quick enough. The blue eyes
then wiaked and blinked, then filled with
tears. ''What made you put thoap in my
eyeth, Agnethp My eyeth walnut dirty"
81 didn't mean to-" said Agnes. ''It went
in itself. You must be very good now, and
let me dress you. Arthur's waiting"
"Little eirlth' eyeth fever get dirty" re-
marked Tot, gravely. mo, indeed. Here's
your dress. Put your arm in quick, Tot"
why don't little girlth eyeth get dirty ?"
"Oh, because hey don't. Stand still now
while fasten these buttons"
Tot stood very still, looking delightfully."-
conscious. "What'll they thay thith, Ag-
neth?" she inquired, with satisfied air.
"Whatll who say?" "The teacher, and
all the peopleth." at isn't the teacher, it's
tho minister" replied Agnes. 'And he
won't say word to you. Nobody will.
You must sit as still as a mouse, and just
listen. That's all you'll have to do"
"Aren't you almost ready, Agnes" cried
Arthur from the hall. ''The bell is ring
ing" "Coming, coming, coming cried
Agnes in reply. "Wait just half min
ute. Here's your hat, Tot" And in ''just
half a minute" the three children started,
Arthur and Agnes having each hand of
Tot, and locking supremely happy. Wont
the theacher thay thomething when he
thees me2" asked Tot, incredulously.
"No," replied Arthur. "Won't he thay-
not one thingle word7" "No," answered
Agnes, "and you mustn't say a word,
either" "Oh, Tot wouldn't talk in church,
i know" said Arthur. "Only very little
girls do that. You don't want to say a
word, do you, Tot2" "Yeth." Agnes and
Arthur looked at each other. Talking was
the one thing which Tot generally did want
to do. In season and cut of season her
little tongue was never at loss for some
thing to thay. The older children became
anxious. "Tot," said Agnes" speaking
very slowly and ippressively, "you must
not say word in church. Not one word.
Everybody will look at you if you do. Do
you hesrp" "Yeth.' 'If you are very
good, Tot, I'll buy you banana, to-mor-
row." said Arthur. you'll like that, won't
your" "Yeth."
Arrived at the church door, Tots sharp
eyes spied group of young girls chatting
socially in the vestibule. ''Tl ey do talk,
Agneth thome girlth do talk. Look there. u
"We're not in church yet" answered Ag-
mes. "Here we come now. Be very still. u
As golden haired Tot walked up the broad
aisle many eyes were fixed upon her. As
the little maiden herself expressed it. The
peopleth were glad she camel" and she
herself seemed glad of it, too, if one might
judge by the beaming smile which she be-
slowed upon her many admirers. To Ag-
mes great relief the services commenced
at once. The playing of the organ, the
singing and thtanding up peopleth who
composed the choir held Tots eyes and
ears for awhile, and when the "teacher'
prayed she listened to his deep, earnes,
tones, and looked around upon the bowed
congregation with feeling in her little
heart something akin to awe. Then came
the singing again, and she stood up and
I,a1I l,au no. ..st 10. Al. L
only indiscretion (?) being an almost au-
thurs equanimity. eff ! should thing
'Henny Penny, Ducky Lucky what would
they thay?" Agnes shook her head warn
ingly. 81 walnut going to thing it," wills
pered Tot In extenuation.
The sermon was to the little lady long,
incomprehensible "talking,' IN which the
"teacher" seemed to have altogether toe
much to thay. She listened attentyely fol
few minutes, then the blue eyes wander
ed. Agnes watched them anxiously, hop.
ug to see the long lashes droop little,
but no. Tot hadn't the slightest idea OF
going to sleep. Suddenly the minister
warming with the earnestness Of the sub
iect, raised his voice. His manner became
more impressive. He spoke of the sweet.
ness of living upon God,-partaking of his
grace as one partakes of his daily bread, -
of the bessedness of those who, leaving
happiness for duty, are surprised to fine
the former following in the laiters wake
not as they wish, perhaps. but as Goo
wishes, which is infinitely better. Tots
eyes grew large as she listened. lady
in the next pew brushed away a tear-droT
furtively. The child knew perfectly well
that tho "teacher" had made her cry, but
what it was all about, she couldn't divine.
At last came apause-one Of those pauses
which mean SO much. The minister's eyes
were fastened upon Tot, who was resting
her tired little limbs by standing for mo-
ment upon the seat. He looked as one
who saw not, but Tot looked back at him
as one who saw plainly. She smiled sweet
ly, but the grave face in the pulpit did not
relax. 1t was singular that, at this mo-
ment, should come into her little head the
recollection of circumstance which had
happened at home nearly three weeks be-
fore-a circumstance which impressed her
very much al the time, but which had been
.o..Il., coronttan airca WIN II ahould M