Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1876-02-24
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BELLIES Y ALIEN TIN +.

any telling WHAT DeIle lHiSHt tahe II lHlo
her head to do next, but the thing she
did do after her return from Lakeside
was so queer and unexpected that even
Walter had to confess his establishment
over it.
Ever since old Mr.. Fisher bought her
blackberries and took care Of her on that
memorable expedition from Lakeside,
Belle had cherished quite a friendship
for him, and though, as Lettie used to
say, 'sMr Fisher did not understand
children at ALL" he liked Belle and petted
her in kind though puzzled fashion.
But indeed, how could the good man be
expected to understand children? He
had meyer married, but lived all alone in
a large, old-fashioned house in the very
town where Belle and Lefty lived. AS
he was grandna's friend the young mem
bers of the family seldom saw him, and
Belle had not made his acquaintance
until they met at Lakeside. Now she and
Lefty used sometimes to walk down the
street with him if they met him in their
plays, and once or twice he had asked
them into mis- dark old house and hidden
his housekeeper give them some cake.
The children took it with polite thanks,
but afterward Belle told Marion:
cit wasn't very nice and plumby like
our cake. | shouldn't wonder but the
woman hadn't any good cookery-book."
"She has no family of little folks to eat
it in hurry while it is fresh," said
Marion.
perhaps she made this when Mr..
Fisher was little boy; it tasted very
dry" said Belle, pensively.
Marion smiled, but soon looked so
grave that Belle nestled her brown head
into her sisters lap and asked:
Are you thinking business, Marion {?
You look so uncomfortable
"Do l, pet? I was thinking about
some one else who is uncomfortable, 1
fear, or who will be so soon"
"Tell me, please" said Belle.
cit IS poor little Jamie Dennison, Belle.
His mother is sick and will soon leave
Jamie alone, and then I do not know
what will become of the poor boy"
Bring him here to live" said Belle,
promptly.
Papa has enough to support now,"
said Marion, gravely. He is not rich
enough to do all the good we would like,
and we must divide our charities so as to
accomplish the most we can. Perhaps l
can get jamie place; only he is small,
delicate and rather dull so it will be
harder to find one"
If he is that, he needs place more"
said Belle. People ought to be more
willing to take him; not less"
1t was as much Bellies nature to pity
the weak, the sad and the poor, as it was
to breathe. 1t was this tender-hearted-
ness, Joined with impulsiveness, that so
frequently brought her into trouble, or
caused what Walter called Zone of
Bellies summers" So she felt great pity
few days after this conversation, and
Marion brought him home to stay few
days until place could be obtained, the
little girl was very kind to the forlorn
boy.
Lefty Carroll came over one morning,
her fair little face very eager and in
terested.
ooh, Belle! can't you come and help
me choose valentines? Aunt Felicia has
given me thirty cents, and there are the
beautifulest ones down at Mannering's
book store.''
"Why, I had most forgotten about
valentine time," said Belle. Chow glad
| am you reminded me. Yes, I think
mamma will let me go, and I've got some
money saved up"
There was truly bewilderlng display
at the valentine counter, and the children
found it hard to choose among the Cupids,
roses, hearts and doves spread out before
them, and then came the question of MAX
ing their money cover the desired number.
"Aunt Felicia told me to get sheet of
lace paper and envelope, and she would
write me some verses to send for one,"
said Lefty.
so will |, too; Marion can help me,
and I can send it to cousin Sue, and this
rosy-posy one to jamie Dennison."
''Ihat boy?" said Lefty, her nose going
up rifle.
"He's Gods boy, if he is poor" said
Belle, repeating her favorite creed with
angry promptness. g | should think you'd
be ashamed to-oh! here's Mr.. Fisherp'
Mr.. Fisher looked little perpleXed and
somewhat amused at the children's occu-
patton, and said:
cob! valentines yes; queer-very"
Whether he meant the pictures or the
children, Lefty felt uncomfortably I'M
certain, but Belle laughed.
"Did you use to send them? Isn't it
fun? Why don't you buy this one for
grandnra?" holding up ford Cupid
carrying a cage tull of turtle-doves.
tsDear me-" said Mr. Fisher, hobbling
away with his cane. "What peculiar
childrenr'
HE always says that" cried Lefty.
" Makes me want to shake him.
"He doesn't know about things" said
Belle, placidly. Il mean to ask grandma