The Hickman courier., 1877-06-08
Tots ne Pence,,,aker.

Tots was just upon the point of step
ping into bed, when an idea struck her
1t had been a trying day for Tots all
the way through. From morning until
night this insignificant member of the
family had heen in difficulties, and
source of much discomfort 10 herself and
other people 1t was hot, everybody
was cross, and Tots. whose resources in
the way of entertainment were limited,
had had great trouble to dispose of her
time In the morning she lad gone
fishing in the duck-pond, with a crooked
pin for hook, and ball of worsted for
line. After waiting patiently for her
prey for 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 upen which she rested
her tiny feet slipped from under them,
and Tots was summary precipated into
the pond. When she appeared 1T the
farmhouse, her bedraggled condition
brought down such a storm of denuncia-
ton upon her head that the unsuccessful
angler, who had expected nothing but
congratulations upon her narrow escape
from drowning, was disgusted Aunt
Susan dressed her, and Tots suffered so
much during the operation that she
vowed never to go near the pond again.
After dinner she had wandered out 10
the arbor, underneath whose leafy roof
Flo Stanton was playing with her clergy
man-lover's heart. as if there was so lit
tie pain in the world that she could at
ford to manufacture more. Tots listened
to the whole interview, and watched the
minister go away, too well-behaved a
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 depart
ure, Tots thought she might venture
upon a little consolation. 1t really was
too bad that her well-meant efforts only !
resulted in pair of boxed ears, and alb
rupt orders to ego away"
Then life became burden. Tots be-
gan to look upon the world as a melan-
choly place. There was nething to do, |
and everybody was too full of their own
affairs to pay her any attention. 1t was
a gleam of brightness when the bell rang |
for supper In spite of her weariness
and general disgust with su1lunary af-
fairs, Tots still retained her appetite,
and her bread and butter ard strawber- |
ries 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 plsything. Her
foot slipped, she fell against the table, |
and a big china dish went humping, |
bouncing, crashing, on 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 10 bed.
There is nothing to do bnt to 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
reading aloud. Their last author was
Dickens. and Tots imagination has been
greatly excited by the beautiful story of
David Copperfield and his child-wife,
little Dora.
off" says Tots to herself, could
only marry somebody. Now Dora was
Just as good for nothing as / am, and yet |
Dodo loved her, and nobody called her |
a nuisance and boxed her ears. 1t must |
have been very nice to live in the little |
house with Dodo and Jip. l wonder il
/ could find anybody to marry me 20
Then, all of sudden, Tots THINKS of
the minister. His name is David, and |
ne lives all alone in the cunningest little
cottage, with an old woman for house
keeper.
at would be just the thing" thinks
Tots. "TlI ask him."
With Tots to plan is to execute. She