The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1877-04-28
TOTS, THE PEACE-MAKER.

lots was just upon the point of
stepping into bed when an idea struck
her.
IL had been trying day for Tots all
the way through From morning until
night this insignificant member of the
family had been in difficulties, and a
source OF much discomfort to herself and
other people. 1t was hot, everybody
was cross, and Tots, whose resources in
the way of entertainment were limited
nad mad great trouble to dispose of her
time. In the morning she had gone fish.
ing in the duck pond, with a crooked
pin for hook, and ball of worsted for
line. After waiting patiently for her
prey Tor some time she had tired of this
amusement, owing to its non.success
and determined to go after some water
lilies. When Tots grasped the water.
lily the board upon which she rested her
tiny feet slipped from under them, and
lots was Summarily precipitated into the
pond. When she appeared at the farm
mousse her bedraggled condition brought
down such storm of denunciation unon
her head that the unsuccessful anGier
who had expected nothing but conorat,1.
lations upon her narrow escape from
drowning, was disgusted. Aunt Snsan
dressed her, and Tots suffered so much
After dinner she had wandered out to
the arbor, underneath whose leafy roof
Flo Stanton was playing with her clergy
man-lover's heart as if there was so little
pain in the world that she could afford to
manufacture more. Tots listened to the
whole interview, and watched the minis
ter 90 away, too we'll behaved young
woman to interrupt the tete-a-tete. But
after having furtively watched Aunt Flo
cry as if her heart would break, for the
two hours succeeding his departure, Tots
thought she might venture upon little
consolation. 1t really was too bad that
her well-meant efforts only resulted in d
pair of boxed ears, and abrupt orders to
"go away"
Then life became burden. Tots be-
gan to look upon the world as a melan-
choly place. There was nothing to do,
and everybody was too full of their own
affairs to pay her any attention. 1t was
CLEAN of brightness when the bell rang
for supper. In spite of her WEAKNESS
and general disgust with sublunary af-
fairs, Tots still retained her appetite,
and her bread and butter and strawber-
Iies certainly did their part toward rails
ing her spirits. But after supper came
the eliminating disaster of the day. In
a thoughtless moment Tots, in spite of
the warnings of past experience, wan
dered into the kitchen. The kitten lay
under the stove, and Tots made rush
to take possession of her pet play thing
Her foot slipped, she fell against the la
BILE, and big china dish went humping,
bouncing, crashing to the floor. The
altar upon which burnt sacrifices were
daily offered lay broken in hundred
pieces. Aunt Susan witnessed the whole
transaction, and in two minutes Tots was
seized, spanked and sent to bed.
There is nothing to do but yield to
Fate and Aunt Susan. They are a com
bination too strong for Tots to overcome,
So she toddles upstairs, lays aside the
garment she has worn during the day,
and buttons herself into her bifurcated
night-dress.
Then it is that the idea comes to her.
Tots, notwithstanding her tender years,
is devoted to fictitious literature. She
cannot read herself, but she takes great
pleasure in listening to Aunt Fanny, who
sometimes entertains the family by read
ing aloud. Their last author was Dick,
ems, and Tots imagination has been
greatly excited by the beautiful story OF
David Coppertield and his childwife,
little Dora.
Of" says Tots to herself, 81 could
only marry somebody. Now Dora was
just as good for nothing as l am, and
vet Dodo loved her, and nobody called
her nuisance and boxed her ears. II
must have been very nice to live in the
little house with Dodo and Jip. l won
der if l could find anybody to marry
me?"
Then, all of sudden, Tot thinks Of
the minister. His name is David, anC
he lives all alone in the cunningest little
cottage, with an old woman for a house
keeper.
at would be just the thing" thinks
, Tots. IN ask him"
With Tots, to plan is to execute. Sht
, withdraws the foot with which she has
begun to scale the heights of the bed
and goes to the window. The moor
shines brightly. She isn't bit afraid
a., In two minutes she has scrambled owe
the roof of the shed, seized bough o.