, 1878-08-15
A "Little Nuisance"
by MISS NJ. NJ. ELDRlD9E.

of SplrltS anu Nllall'Ji "HleH may captain
her persistent affinity for torn froCks, mud
nuddles, and dirty hands and face Her
mamma, who went in tor "e,,hetics," ~"
was shocked, every day, and every hour
Of the day, at which she called the chid's
"Tom.b tnstes." Perhaps, if Mrs Les
ter had devoted little more time to her
of.pripg, had been little more sympa-
tbetic with Katey, the latter would have
been different BIT while the "tiAe lady"
mother WIS raviag about ceramics, or
taking le sons IN art decoration, the poor
child was left to amuSu herselfas she best
might.
Katey, indeed, hnd but one FREUD, her
Young uncle Tom, Il colegian at home
for the summer; Cor Mr.. Lester wa, too
much absorbed in business to be able to
give any time to his little daughter. As
for her mother, Mrs. LISTERS cxclama-
hon, repeated n dozen times each day,
was, "do 90 away, and let me have some
peace; you are n regular little nuisance"
And yet Katey was always respectful
and obcdient, aud could have been such
an enthusiastic little friend if she had
been allowed, and would have so wor-
SHIPPED her mother,
"Good-night, mamma DEAR she said,
one evening, looking in at the door Of the
Hbray, where Mrs. Lester, with II learned
friend was discussing, with the deepest
interest, a repulsive ugly, but probably
correspondingIy valuable piece Of china,
"Gnod night, child. Don't bother me,
now,' said Mrs. Lester, half impatient
at the interruption. "WhAt a nuisance
YOU are" KAtey was running conen,ed
ly off. when Uncle Tom stopped her.
"Good.nishl, Tomtit,' he said, "shall
1 60 up and pay YOU a call, by-and.bye2'
40, YES, do come That will be splen-
did. Don't forgetW And Nancy, the
nurse, just then appearing, kttey van
ishca.
Shortly after, uncle Tom entered the
nursery, and fuunI his niece anxiousIy
awaiting him alone; for Nancy had lost
no time in betkiug herself to the society
of a "folIowcr,' in thc kitchen. Kttey
spraDg from nor bed, to greet her uncle;
and for the next half.hOur the room
echoed with their fun and play, Blind
mans buff was followed by leap frog, and
that by hide and seek, and by puss in the
corner, until finally Katey, weary with
pleasure nestled contentedly in her
uncIe'S lap, and dem inded peremptorily,
STORY.
"a story" said uncle Tom, rather rue
fully; for his accomplishments did not lie
in that line. "What shall it be aboutl
Jack and the bean stalk!'
"No, you told me that, yesterday"
"Puss in Boot,l"
"No, that's stupid story. I'd rather
hear about bear"
Uncle Tom accordingly, launched into
amost thrilling narrative, CmincntIy sat
sfactory to his niece, but in no one in.
teresting to you and me, dear reader
The narrowing finale reached, short
pause cnsucd; but Katey's versatile mind
soon entered new channel.
"Uncle Tom, what is a nuisancei"
"Well, Katey, that's rather u compre-
hensive question. What's the matter
nowl"
~ guess must really be one" an.
swered the child. Mamma, and cook
and Nancy all say so; and this afternoon
| went over to Miss Alisons, and she
called me one, too"
why, what had you been doings'
"Nothiug. | only went into the rar-
ior, where Miss Allison was talking to
Mr.. Wood, and asked her to show me
how she took out her teeth; for l never
could get mine out, aud she said, go
home, you little nuisance said,
please too"
Uncle Tom laughed outright "I'm
afraid" he said, "you forever ruined her
chances with that fastidious young par
son, Mr.. Wood"
"Are little girls nuisances in hcavcn3
asked Katey anxiously, after pause.
Uncle Tom was sobered instantly. lie
wished, half bitterly, that his lady sister,
down stairs, could have heard the ques-
ton
mo, dear" he answered.
swell, them" said Katey, slowly, ~
guess I'll go there. Nobody but you
seems to want me here, unless some
tines she added, thoughtfulIy, "on Sun
days when papa isn't too tirei to play
with me; and you'll soon be going back
W ColleEe'
Poor Toms heart ached for the child.
lie knew not what to say. After awhile,
katey began again.
~ went to church, yesterday" she said,
gravely.
Did you, indecd' Ihope you enjoyed
yourself"
"Oh! no." with long sigh. II had to
wear gloves, and have my hair curled,
and sit so still. / had mind TO make
races Mt the preacher"
THAT wasn't right, Katcy," replied
Tom, csSaying to play the mentor. God
could see you there You go to church,
remember, to learn to be good"
Wei, me tries to be good, but me gets
so tired at church."
Katey pondered for moment, silently,
alter this, then looked up, suddenly.
"lf God sees me at church, said she,
with great seriousness, "does He sec nurse
when she gets angry and strikes met"
Tom was shocked at this revelation of
tne nurses temper, and determined to
speak OF it to his sister. But meantime
ne tried IN fnrp tho cOpvnraofinn