Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1875-09-16
9nr pan'rg Readtrs.
BABY BLUE-EYES' NAP.
BY Lolita M'DONALD.

anu the sou, peachy cheeks were getting
scarlet and warm, as she trudged back and
forth in the sun.
Away down in one corner of the garden
was Baby Blue-Eyes' palace, that indul-
gent grandpa had the day before con-
structed, with the fence for two sides, and
door with truly hinges" the merits
and strength of which the empress of
this habitation was never tired of test
ing. .e..
"a bit hoosie for the BARN. grandpa
had said half apologetically, when ques-
toned as to the great sounds of carpenter
ing that had issued from that remote
corner, whittier he and Baby Blue Eyes had
betaken themselves directly after break
fast 1t was odd enough to hear dear,
stately old grandpa lapse into the half-for-
gotten Scotch provincialisms of his boy
hood whenever he spoke to or of his pet
grandchild. She always understood him.
and occasionally, to grandpa's great de-
light, some quaint Scotch phrase would
ripple off from her baby tongue. She al
ways called her pretty gray kitten puir
wee beastie," and candies were always
"sweetie" to her
1t was Sabbath morning, and everyone
had gone to church excepting Janet, the
gray queen goddess of the kitchen, in
whose charge was left the precious baby.
The week before Pet had gone with them,
and in the midst of long and somewhat
prosy sermon she had electrified everyone
by saying, in q clear, distinct voice: Use
stremely tired of hearing that Massey man
talk. | fink I'll do home, flank oo'' and
she started, much to the amusement of
all the young and worldly members of the
congregation, and to the utter horror of
poor grandpa, who attempted to detain
the small lady as she tried to pass him on
her way out, to her extreme indignation
and surprise, as she was not used to hav-
ing her movements questioned. No telling
what would have happened if the worthy
minister had not taken the hint and re-
duced the length of his finally" and
closed his discourse. This morning they
had held a " council of war; over the
matter, and had finally concluded not to
risk repetition of the scene, So with
many charges to Janet to be careful of
their treasure, and with many commands
laid on the golden head not to go near the
sea-shore, the glancing waves of which
were plainly visible from the piazza, they
had at last driven off, followed by a per-
feet shower of kisses from the darling elf.
Left to her own desires, she wandered
through the stately rooms where the dark,
somber hues of everything showed they
did not belong to the Veneering'' school,
Alone in the dusky drawingroom, Pet
paused before the long mirror, half
affrighted at the white-and- gold reflection
pictured there. 1t was a study for Rem
brandt, the dark, gloomy background,
with this fairy child in the midst, her
bright head crowned by a dusty sunbeam
that had in some way worked itself in
Only a moment she paused, then was
dancing up and down the hall. Looking
at the forbidden sea, at the piazza door,
she concluded finally to visit her hoosie
and make little sea for herself, so when
Janet tore herself away from her prepare
tons for the great Sunday dinner, and
glanced in, she begged for her white SUM-
bonnet, and after solemn promise not to
go down to the beach Janet gave the bon
net to her, went back to her work and for
got all about her charge. So Pet duga little
hole with stumpy bitofcase- knife she lad
among her treasures, and when she had
completed it sat back and SURVEYED her
work with infinite satisfaction. The next
thing was to fill it, so she ran to the we'll
to get the gourd dipper hanging on the
side. That dear old well! with its long
sweep and dripping stones, enjoying
green old age, and the quiet mirror of
cool water at the bottom. Pet could not
quite reach the dipper, but Janet, coming
out very opportunity to draw up fresh
bucket Of water, took it down and handed
it to her. Then she threw down the bucket
with splash that would have made Nep
tune himself thirsty. After filling her
pail she left the dripping bucket half-full
on the little brick platform outside and
our little heroine filled her dipper and
started back to fill her ocean. 1t was
somewhat discouraging to find one dipper-
full soaked up by the time she got there
with another, but she persevered bravely
until the little feet grew so tired that they
carried their little mistress into temptation.
The breeze came up very temptingly
from the ocean and the baby strayed
nearer and nearer until she was clear
down on the beach and into the Rock
cave, where Uncle George had taken her
the day before. Then she curled up, and,
refreshed by the cool, shadowy retreat she
had chosen, she sat watching the hungry
waves as they came rolling up, dying of
their own ambition, clinging reluctantly
to the shore, then falling back they would
gather new strength and try it again, each
time coming little higher But Pet saw
nothing OF that She knew the song of
the waves made her very sleepy and di-
rectly she was fast asleep, with the tide
coming up nearer and nearer and she un-
conscious Of it all, while Janet was watch
ing her turkey and the clock but had for
gotten the BARN.
Meanwhile the great family carriage,