Mower County transcript. [volume] (Lansing, Minn.) 1868-1915, 1877-02-15

before the performance was over,
that she would have given all she
owned to have obtained real boiled
chicken.
Sale of Nebbie.
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 children
of Israel wore in the wilderness, fol
they were continually showing elbows
from notice.
Now all this was very discouragine
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 50 many that
they crowded the small room that was
kitchen, parlor and nursery all in one.
Each of these had toes, elbows and
knees that, like Charles, would not
stay covered, and the poor mother
could really do nothing to hinder the
troubles, for babies were 50 plenty
and clothing 50 scarce that she some.
times found herself wishing for more
Of the latter and less of the former,
though after such Il wish her heart
would smart her, for each of her ba-
bies was dear to her; and though the
wee, wee room was as full 1T 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 boyisE
sports; and Nebbie, who was in real
ity a baby, but had, by the newcomer.
been showed out of his place ITO one
that he was not a.le to fill, was a great
trial to the boys patience. He would
cry if they went off without him, cry
to be carried if taken out for a walk,
cry if a stranger spoke to him, and
cry if he was hungry, and Charlie said
Nebbie's stomach was like his own :
always ready to take in supply. So
Nebbie's tears left his dark eyes moist
most of the time.
Now Charlie was a 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
Nebbie to the store, to the spring and
to the playground, and yet had the lit.
tie fellow clinging to him when his
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, I'm going to sell Neb.
bic"
''What!'' exclaimed the other. in
surprise.
"Why, I'm going to sell Nebbie.
They often sell children. And you
and I can wait here at the gate until
some one comes along that will buy
him.
Sam was still surprised, and not
altogether prepared to part with Neb !;
but whatever Charley thought best he
was apt to coincide with, 50 he opened
his blue eyes to the widest extent and
then rubbed the sweat from his face
withihis jacket sleeve before he replied.
After thus giving himself time for
meditation he cleared his throat and
SAIL:
"Well, Charley, 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 mud
pies.
ssAll right, Sam," and Charley
picked up the little urchin and started
for the brook that rippled and danced
and sung through all the long summer
close by the little cot where our friends
lived.
Charley thought best to perform his
additions at the brook, for he did not
wish to excite his mothers suspicious
by going to the house.
Now if anything was distastefpl to
Neb it was being washed; but Sam held
him fast, and Charley rubbed and scour.
ed till the really pretty little face was
quite clean. But Neb's shirt was used
for towel, and this had helped to
make the mud pies, and was also we'll
sprinkled with mOlasses that morning.
so the washing 49, 49,.
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 an
to sell Nebbie. It was
quite large village in which they
lived, and the vehicles went by not
few but it was a full half hour be.
fore one came slow enough to be hail.
ed, so the boys thought. But at length
they espied a buggy occupied by one
grave.looking, elderly man, and
neither man nor horse seemed to be in
any hurry whatever.
'Now, here's a chance, Sam,' cried
catching up the little victim
and running out into the dusty road.
'Here, mister do you want to buy
Nebbie p he shouted, as the carriage
came near.
The gentleman stopped his horse
Ind looked gravely at the eager faces
before him. "What do you say :" he
ssked, with nod at Charlie.
why, want to sell this little boy