Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1876-04-13

al
A FUNNY little figure tripped up the
front doorsteps of Miss Hitty Titus, and
stretched up her small fingers in vain at
tempts to reach the shining brass knocker.
1t was "April-fool's" day, and Prinks
hat was gay with the decorations Of the
season-bunches of broom corn, shaving
which had been slipped in slyly by more
than one roguish urchin, as placid littl1
Pink trudged along the street.
Quite number Of white placards, with
"April fool" written staringly on each,
were pinned on the back Of Prink's cloth
sack, and an unusual length of scarlet pet
ticoat famed out in the suns shine, because
Of mischievous pinning up behind of
Prink's dress
Serene little Prink knew nothing of the
tricks that had been played upon her, and
jumped, and clutched, and missed, then
clutched, and jumped, and missed again,
till, in happy moment, she brought down
the knocker-handle with an immense
clatter.
"He! he! he!" giggled half dozen
little fellows, peeping round the corner of
the street
At the first clang of the knocker, a Sc
we're voice from the window over Miss
Titus door called out, WHO'S THEREOF
Then appeared black cap bristling
with green ribbons, and a pair of specta-
cles glazing out of the midst Of the flut-
tering millinery. The vision of the cap
and spectacles was followed by an out
stretched, bony hand and wrist, holding
forth a great blue pitcher. A second
"Whos there?" caused the giggling
group at the corner to disappear in a
twinkling.
" Who"
"Ae, ma am-Prinky Stanley" smiled
up the sweet little face from the doorstep.
ooh, you don't say SOL l thought
mebbe twas boys come 'April-foolin'
again"
The cap and spectacles, the arm and
the pitcher vanished from the window,
anC the next moment the great front door
creaked on its hinges, and Miss Hetty
Titus, with softened speech and manner,
stood before Prinky.
Glow do you do, Miss Titiss9" said
Pink, with polite little bow, that set
all the broomcorn, and shavings, and
sti cks in her hat trembling and shaking.
GIVE come to dinner, have"
Pink, in her delight at the thought of
dining out, showed every little pearly
tooth she possessed.
Not so Miss Titus. Not pearl of hers
was visible. Her face was fairly gray
with amazement.
A shadow had just begun to steal over
Prink's dimpled face, when Miss Titus
broke forth in cordial tones:
"Well, never mind; you're welcome.
You'll have nothing but picked-up one,
but I'll get out mince pie to help along"
What very queer old lady," thought
Pink, Inviting people, and then telling
them, before they get quite in at the door.
what's for dinner. S'posin', toe, Miss
Titiss did drop the g'bles and things On
the floor; she needn't have gone ard told.
She may eat what she's picked up. I'N
eat the pie"
Miss Titus, with grim smile on her
face, was whisking off the placards, and
unpinning the skirt, and brushing away
the corn brooms, and shavings, and sticks,
all unseen by Pink.
Somebody's been April foolin' the in
nocent child with a invite" said Miss I'll
tus to herself, as she led the way to her
cosy sitting-room.
To be sure, somebody had. That
somebody was Prink's own brother Joe!
Pink, on receiving the funny, little, old
fashioned, three-cOrnered note through
the post, had rushed to read it to Joe.
"See what it is, Joe Stanley, to be ia
vorite with old pussonsr' said Pink, in
consequential tones, as she struggled with
the fiery pink paper, to bring it back into
its original and puzzling foldings.
Joe, In his mirth, was near standing on
his head and twinkling his feet in the air;
but refrained till after the dinner should
have come off.
You will excuse me, Miss Titiss,"
said Pink, settling herself serenely on
the precious silk patchwork of Miss
Titus one state-and-festival chair "a chair
which was not meant to be looked at,
even, but from a respectful distance), 4" if
| crochet as fast as ever I can before din
ner. 1t is April fool, Miss Titiss, for
Plum Packard. don't like regular April
fools. think most always they are real
rude; don't you? took this mat out of
Plum Packard's desk, to finish it for her
1t Is a birthday present. She's making it
| for girl that's ten years old, nine o'clock