The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1875-01-01

Maggie's Toothache.
Maggie Morton was very fine little
girl if she aOas tomboy. She could
ride "any horse $50 she said, bat her
experience had been limited thus far to
a couple of aged specimens who plowed
corn for a living), rake hay, hoe corn,
fish, "pull off oots"-which, trans
lated, meant firing off her brother Har-
rvs gun-and sundry other accomplish
ments we have not space here to men
ton. But you never heard this little
lass boast of work indoors. Indeed no.
She lived in the open air great por-
ton of the time, and it could not be ex-
pected of her that she should take care
of Dame Nature and her mother, too.
So she ran wild, and was healthy and
happy.
Now, with all her health and good
nature, Maggie had one fault. She
told very large stories, and was apt to
deceive when IL served her purpose !;
and this sketch is to explain how this
little girl was tripped up completely by
a rope of her own stretching.
One fine spring morning her uncle
Amos stopped as he was passing the
house, and called to Maggie, who was
very busily engaged in building mini
ature leaning tower out of brick-so
much of leaning one, in fact, that it
managed to fall over when it got half
the required height. She heard the
call, and in flash was standing by the
side of the carriage in which her rela-
tive was seated.
GA present for you, Maggie" he said,
as he dropped wee black puppy into
her apron, which she had instinctively
held out after hearing the first two
words.
"Ob, thank you, uncle What good
one he is, isn't he? L expect he will
grow up to watch me and bite folks
don't you think he WHIP"
81 hope not, replied her uncle, as
he drove away 81 expect to make
few calls during the year myself and
if he is ungrateiul enough to bite one
who saved him f,om drowning, / shall
be sorry for my efforts in his behalf"
Maggie wended her way toward the
house in silent contemplation of the an
imal that scrambled around in her
apron, now and then giving vent to
spiteful yell in finding himself in such
close quarters.
the house, "just look here! Such
real, blessed little puppy He's mine.
Uncle Amos gave him to me. Hear him
scream for milk. Please will you skim
mess, so he may quit and wag his
tail ?"
"Not now, DEAR" replied the CON-
posed mother, as she opened the oven
door and withdrew loaf of snowy
bread. 81 will see to him by and by.
1t is time for you to get ready for
school. John and Harry have already
gone"
The tears sprang into Maggie's eyes.
Not even one minute left wherein to
enjoy the companionship of her beau
tiful pet She abruptly left the room.
After some ten minutes had passed, her
mother stepped to the door and called
her. No answer. She called again.
Then faint voice:
CT don't bIeve can go to school
to-day, ma"
"Why, my dear p
I've got the toothache, oh, ever so
bad"
"How long have you had it?"
go, good long while but it came
on harder since"
"Since the dog came, / suppose ?'
added Der mother.
Ono, it wasn't the puppy did it. 1t
just came on.
Now it so CHANGED that Mr.. Clinton,
the teacher, had called at the house
the evening before, and confded to
Mrs. Morton and her husband genu-
inc and delightful surprise for the
whole school. Mr.. Gibson, the owner
of a beautiful place near by, had in
vited him to bring his whole school ON
the following day for a good twelve
hours recreation - strawberries and
cream in abundance, and good time
generally. Mr.. Clinton also stated that
this gentleman had kindly furnished
boats-he lived across beautiful river
that ran by the school-house-and oars
men beside. so L shall merely call
the school to order" he added, land
after telling them where we are going,
pack them off /; for my friend says he
wants to greet them in their everyday
school garb-not dressed up for the oc
easion."
OF course Mr.. and Mrs. Morton
promised to keep all this to themselves
but they both had enjoyed in anticipa
ton the store of genuine pleasure fol
their three children. But here was
Maggie with made-up toothache, ask
ing to remain at home, utterly ignorant
of the sacrifice she was making. With
half sigh her mother assented to hel
staying, with the added inquiry as tc
which particular tooth it was thai
troubled her.
"Don't know" replied the little cul
prit, trying to cry, 81 b'Peve it's all Of
EN-"
"Come here, then. / shall rub pain.
killer around each TOOTH"
ooh no, ma" exclaimed the youthful
invalid, suddenly alive to the dangers
of having the toothache all around.
CT guess it's only a little front one.
Don't put it on any but the front one,
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