River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1877-06-07
LITTLE GIRLS OF LONG AGO.
BY MARY RUSSELL.


20, grandma, tell me about the funny
little girls of long ago."
-Four dainty bits of maidenhOOd hung
around the chair of a pleasant-faced, old
lady, and filed her ears with the coaxing
chorus: 20, please do"
Grandma smiled.
II don't know as the little girls of long
ago were very different from the little
girls Of to-day." she said, as she smoothed
one of the bright heads at her knee.
They had the same dimpled faces and
laughing eyes, and heads full of michief
and chatter, as tine little folks see about
me. Perhaps, though, they might be
called funny little girls nowadays, mas
much as they were taught an unquestiOn-
ing obedience to parents and teachers, and
respect for their elders. / am quite sure
that never heard one of those little lasses
answer her mother impatiently, i don't
want to- or, wait minute" when told
10 do something.
Cora, somewhat girlful little miss,
hung her head and edged into the shadow
Of her grandma'S chair as the old lady
looked quizzically over her spectacles.
She knew a little girl who often answered
Now, grandma, you know what we
mean :" cried MAY. Their dress was so
funny, home made lInsey-woolsey with a
title, short waist,and just one great skirt
no. how plain and odd they must have
looked. i'm glad | wasn't a little girl
then" and Miss May glanced compla-
Gently at her own pretty cashmere with
Its basque and Overskirt, trimmed with
elaborate puffs and ruffles.
We'll" spoke up rOmping little Nell,
: i think it would be Just splendid if that
was the fashion now. never can turn
round but some of these things are just
sure 10 get all torn or crooked"
Nell looked ruefully down at hang
ing ruffle on her new frock, and thought
how her mamma would sigh over her
needless girl.
It's cause you're so careless said
Nav, looking superior, and adjusting her
faultless attire with the precision of a
little Miss Prim.
But grandma, seeing the shadow ON the
merry face Of her favOrite, said cheerily
Run, bring my wOrk-bOx, Nellie, and
with those bright eyes find some thread
10 match your dress. and grandma will
put a stitch IN that ruffie.'
There, there. child" cried the Old
lady, as the eager fingers began to work
disorder among the spoOls in the work
box; THAT will DO nicely. Now, thread
this needle, while l try TO think of an in
cident that happened while was lass
like little jamie, here.
"Oh, good what's 'bout:" exclaimed
four glad voices.
About Just what We have been talk.
ing Of-dressr' returned grandma, as she
relaid the pleats in Nell's displaced ruffie
Il must own thyt the little girls of those
times were Just as proud in the matter OF
dress and lust as foOlishly anxious in re-
gard to the style Is their grunddaugh-
tiers are to-day, Notwithstanding. May
thinks them so very old and plain The
home made linseys were woven in gay
plaids. and one of those fair little girls
In her bright dress and neat linen apron
was a very pleasant sight to behold
There were few poor girls in the schoo
| attended who looked longingly at thi:
pretty attire of the majority, and sighed
over their own faded gowns. One in par
ticular Jane Hicks, a little bound girl
was very addressed. Her clothes were
not only faded and old, hut were covered
with great patches of different material
that really produced very odd and com
zeal effect
~Oh. my; how awful" cried May
Yes: il was awful to Jane. She was
sensitive little thing and shrank from th'
keen ewes and teasing tongues of he
schOol-fellows. like swounded rabbit from
the hounds"
"Then, the little girls of long ag'
weren't good al through neither. put IL
Cora, with shy triumph.
Grandma tried TO give the little ear :
pinch, but the naughty head lodged be
hind her chair again
You are right, Cora" she said; they
we're not good all through ~ any means
They ridiculed and snubDed poor Jane
cruelty, simply because she was addressed
and friendIess; for herself the girl pos
eessed sweet and Obliging nature anC
was the most studious child In the school.
But you didn't treat her bad, grand
ma!" questioned Nell.
L am afraid that was no better thar
the Others" returned grandma. IF
did not make sport of her myself, nevel
spoke in her behalf, and was always ready
to Join in the laugh raised at her expense
~Ah, naughty grandma" cried Cora
peeping out from her retreat 10 shake hel
finger at the old lady.