Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1877-07-04
The Stolen Spoons.
From the Church Journal.

The Stolen Spoons.
From the Church Journal
Mr.. Hartman was in the dining-room
arranging basket of beautiful flowers
in a bed of soft green moss. Roses, hello
tropes, great flaming scarlet geraniums,
and plenty of smilax in long gracef ul
leaves; how dainty and delicate it looked,
and it was to 90 to the Whitsun festival.
Nan and Harry were on the piazza
steps, eating the first strawberries of the
season-ten apiece-mamma had counted
them out in a saucer, and given them a
little sugar and cream to eat upon them,
to keep them quiet until she could get
her basket filled, for she had many inter
ruptions in her work, and it was nearly
time the children were dressed Grand
papa had brought two little baskets of
berries up from the city for treat.
Southern berries, of course" he said,
but better than nothing" and Nan and
Harry were going off into little exclama-
tions of delight, making many and DELHI
crate pauses over each mouthful, and
comparing sensations, when they looked
across the lawn and saw their dearest
friend, Flossie Sheppard, coming up the
road bearing big basket-Flossie was
to go to the festival too; probably she was
bringing her flowers for Mrs. Hartman
to arrange-and down went both spoons
and out rushed the children, leaving the
berries and dashing down the path like
little lunatics. There was so much to
tell Flossie! They had not seen her in
two whole days, and 0 dear! the things
that were happening all the timel
Very soon they came back, chatting
and laughing, all three of them. Flossie
had the loveliest flowers, and wouyd Mrs.
Hartman arrange them? and-O how
funny-here was boy, a barefooted boy,
and pray what did he want? The chill
dren stopped, after the fashion of chill
dren, to find out. A little brown-faced
urchin, barefooted and very ragged, was
standing irresolutely by the piazza steps.
He didn't care for the flowers or the
eat.
eco around to the kitchen-door and
ask the cook" said Nan; and then the
children ran in to display the floral
treasures to Mrs. Hartman, and ask her
if she acould be so good, and if she wasn't
so rery tired, would she please Just make
up one more basket and two bouquets.
Finally they subsidized into quiet, drop
ping into chairs and watching Mrs. Har-
riman complete her pretty work, until
Nan suddenly remembered her straw
berries. How stupid of her to forgetl
L" Flossie, I don't believe you have had
a single strawberry yet, have you" she
inquired.
"No, DEAR" answered Flossie, with
her chin on her hands, and her eyes fast
ened upon her exquisite basket.
81 left two or three in my saucer, and
if you won't mind eating what I've left,
I'd like to give them to you. Yes, [
want you to have them; it's only taste,
but they're SO goodn'
She flashed out on the piazza, and
picked up the saucer; but where were
the spoons? She thought she might have
thrown them on the lower step, but no
they were not there. She called Harry,
and then mamma, too, came out to look;
but though they hunted everywhere, the
spoons were not to be found. Both were
gone, together with the three or four
Strawberries; nothing but the remnants
of cream and sugar were left in the two
saucers. 1t was the most surprising
thing! And then Nan began to cry.
Her spoon was SO bright and pretty, and
it was her very own; papa had given it
to her for birthday present only about
six months before. What should she do?
Suddenly the ragged boy made his APP
pearance, coming around the graveled
path from the kitchen, with a good-sized
piece of bread and butter in his hands.
He was evidently very hungry; for he
was swallowing the food as if he could
not eat it fast enough. Nan felt sure
her spoon was safe in his pocket. It
wasn't so much matter about Harry's-
his was old; but her new spoon! And
she flew down the steps after the boy.
"What made you steel my spoon?'
she began without moments hesitation,
laying a OBTAINING hand upon his ragged
sleeve, You are a very wicked boy.
Give it back to me this minute?"
Hain't got no spoon,'' said the beg
gar, looking at her with round-eyed Won
der. "The woman, she give me nice
bread; but [ hain't seen no spoon.
80 mamma, do come herep' cried
Nan, Don't let him so; he's got my
pretty spoon that papa gave me-the
bad, wicked boy! Make him give it uI
do come and make him give it up
Why, do you know"-looking at him
with sudden solemnity-" that my papa
could put you in Jail for doing such q
thing%
Mrs. Hartman came out, and the
cook, hearing the noise, followed her
and soon the whole family were gathered
about the boy, who stared from one K
the other, and whimpered that he didn'
know nothing about spoon"
Mrs. Hartman talked to him kindly
and the cook and grandpapa searched
him most thoroughly, turning his WorE
) pockets inside out, and promising not t.
: do anything to him if he would onl.