Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1878-01-23

Tots was Just upon the point of stepping
into bed when IN idea struck her. 1t had
been u trying day for Tots all the way
through. From morning until night this
insignificant member of the family had
oeen in difficulties, and II source of much
discomfort to herself and other people. 1t
was hot, everybody was cross, and Tots,
whose resources in the way of entertain
ment were limited, had had great trouble
to dispose of her time. In the morning
she had gone fishing in the duck pond,
with crooked pin for II hook, and ball
of worsted for II line After waiting pa
tiently for her prey for some time. she
had tired of this amusement, owing to its
non-succeSs, and determined to 90 after
some water-lilies When Tots grasped
the water-lily, the board upon which she
rested her tiny feet slipped from under
them, and Tots was summarily precipita.
ted into the pond. When she appeared ut
the farm house, her bcdraggled condition
brought down such II storm Of denuncia-
| ton upon her head that the unsuccessful
angler, who had expected nothing but con-
graduation upon her narrow escape from
drowning, was disgusted. Aunt Susan
dressed her, and Tots suffered so much
during the operation that she vowed she
never would 90 near the pond again.
After dinner she had wandered out to
the arbor, underneath whose leafy roof
Flo Stanton was playing with her clergy
man lovers heart, as if there was so little
pain in the world that she could afford to
manufacture r.lore. Tots listened to the
whole interview, and watched the young
minister 20 away, too wel-behaved II
young woman to interrupt the tCtc-n,t ,tc c.
But after having furlively watched Aunt
Flo cry as if her heart would break, for
the two hours after his departure. Tots
thought she might venture upon Il little
consolation. 1t really WAS too bad that
her well meant efforts only resulted in Il
pair of boxed ears, and abrupt orders to
"go away"
Fhen life became Il burden. Tots began
to look upon the world us melancholy
place. There was nothing to do, and ev-
erybody was too full of their own affrirs 10
pay her any attention.
it was gleam ofhappincss when the bell
rang for supper. In spite of her wearncss
aud general disgust with sublunary affairs
Tots still retained her appetite, and her
bread and butter and strawberries certain
ly did their part toward raising her spir-
its. But after supper came the culminat-
ing disaster of the day. In u thoughtlesS
moment Tots, in spite of the warnings of
past eXperincce, wandered into the kitch-
en-. The kitten lay under the stove, and
Tots made II rush to take possession of her
N,1. - c.1l
against Il table, and big china dish went
humping, bouncing and crashing, on to
the floor. The altar upon which burnt
sacrifices were daily offered was broken
in hundred pieces. Aunt Susan witnessed |
the whole transaction, and in two minutes |
Tots was siczed spanked, and sent to bed |
There is nothing to do but to yield TO Fate
and Aunt Susan. They are combination
too strong for Tots to overcome. So she
toddles up stairs, lays aside the garments
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 some-
times enterUans the family by reading
aloud Their last author was Dickens,
and Tots imagination had been greatly
excited by the beautiful story of David
and his child wife, little Dora
IF" said Tots TIC herself, Il could only
marry some body. Now Dora was Just as
good for nothing as l am, and yet Dodo
loved her, and nobody called her a nui.
sance and boxed her ears, 1t must have
been very nice to have lived in the little
house with Dodo and Jip. wonder if |
could find any body to marry me?
Then, all of a sudden, Tots thinks of the
minister. His name is David, and he lives
I'll alone in the cunningest little cottage,
with an old woman for IL housekeeper.
at would be Just the thing thinks
Tots. "Tll ask him"
With Tots, to plan is to execute She
withdraws the foot with which she has be-
gun to scale the heights of the bed, and
goes to the window. The moon shines
brightly. She isn't a bit afraid, In two
minutes she has scrambled over the roof of
the shed, seized bough of the old apple