The Toledo chronicle. [volume] (Toledo, Tama County, Iowa) 1873-1924, 1877-01-18
.Gar pou,n, Readers.
SALE OF NEBBIE.

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CHARLIE BURT's papa and mamma
were poor, and the /. little boys toes
would persist in peeping from. his
boots, and his pants and jacket were
very like the clothes that the Chill.
dren of Israel wore in the wilderness,
for they were continually showing ell.
| bows and knees that wished to hide
away from notice.
Now all this was very discouraginq
to Charlie, who had to run to the
bakers and grocer's, and do many
other errands beside. But when the
poor boy ventured to speak of these
troubles to his mother, she would
sigh and look around at the little
brothers and sisters that were SO
many that they crowded the small
room that was kitchen. parlor and
nursery all in one. Each one of these
had toes, elbows and knees that, like
Charlie's, would not stay covered, and
the poor mother could really do moth
ing to hinder the troubles, for babies
were SO plenty and clothing so scarce
that she sometimes found herself wish
ing for more of the latter and less of
the former, though after such a wish
her heart would smart her, for each
of her babies was dear to her; and
though the wee, wee room was as full
as it could hold, there was really not
one baby to spare among them all.
From Charlie (who was the eldest) to
the three-months-old infant that lay
in her arms, there was large place in
her heart and some sort of a place in
the room.
There was Charlie, aged ten; Sam,
a year and half younger; Katie and
Jennie, the six-year-old twins; then
Mollie, Nebbie and the baby.
Charlie and Sam were frequently
obliged to watch over the younger
children, which took time that other
wise would have been spent in boyish
sports; and Nebbie, who was in real
ity baby, but had. blythe newcomer,
been showed out of his place into one
that he was not able to fill, was great
trial to the boys patience. He would
cry if they went off without him, cry
to be carried if taken out for walk,
cry if stranger spoke to him, and
cry if he were hungry, and Charlie
said Nebbie's stomach was like his
own: always ready to take in a supply.
So Nebbie's tears left his dark eyes
moist most of the time. -...,
Now Charlie was great planner,
and Sam considered his elder brother
such an oracle that he was always
ready to aid him in carrying out the
plans he favored. ..-
One day, after Charlie had carried
little felloW' cllngng to him when MS
arms were aching and his back was
tired, he concluded to rid himself OF
the burden without further delay.
He, Sam and Nebbie seated them
selves upon the grass under the Old
oak tree near their own gate, and then
Charlie commenced:
"Now, Sam, Pm going to sell Neb-
bie."
"Whatv' exclaimed the other, in
astonishment.
"Why, Pm going to sell Nebbie.
They often sell children. And you
and l can wait here at the gate till
some one comes along that will buy
him.
Sam was still surprised, and not al
together prepared to part with Neb;
but whatever Charlie thought best he
was apt to coincide with, so he opened
his blue ewes to the widest extent and
then rubbed the sweat from his face
with his jacket sleeve before he le-
piled. After thus giving himself time
for meditation he cleared his throat
and said: -.
/" swell, Charlie, let us first wash his
face" -#
Wise Sam! So thought the elder
brother as he looked at poor little
Neb, whose countenance showed the
marks of tears, molasses and .nud
pies.
"All right, Sam," and Charlie
picked up the little urchin and started
for the brook that rippled and danced
and sung through all the glad summer
close by the little cot where our friends
lived. ....u r... ......
Charlie thought best to perform hi
ablutions at the brook, for he did no
wish to excite his mothers suspicious
by going into the house.
Now if anything was distasteful t.
Nebbie it was being washed; but San
held him fast, and Charlie rubbed ant
secured till the really pretty little fac
was quite clean. But Neb's shirt wa
used for a towel, and this had helpe'
to make the mud pies, and also bee
well sprinkled with molasses tina
morning, so the washing
LEFT the black streaks
Running over his cheeks,
And made them look worse than before.
But the boys declared it was success
and went back to the tree at the gate
Here they watched and waited for a
opportunity to sell Nebbie. 1t wa
quite a large village in which the
lived, and the vehicles went by not
few; but it was a full half hour bt
fore one came slow enough to .
hailed, so the boys thought. But
length they espied buggy occupie
BY one grave-looking. elderly MAJ
and neither man nor horse seemed
be in any hurry whatever.
Nov, here's chance, SAM" erie
Charlie, catching up the little victil
and running out into the dusty roa'
Here, mister! do you want to bu
Nebbie?D he shouted, as the carriaG
came near. Ns.
/ The gentleman stopped his hor'
{ and looked gravely at the eager fac
before him. "What do you say r.
askad with a nod at Charlie.