Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1879-06-11
Susie's Opinions.
A STORY FOR TIE LITTLE GIRLS.

1t was IL secret Nobody knew it-only
papa and mamma, Susie and Minnie, and
well Just few others-just enough to
keep it safe. You know it takes Il great
many people to keepa secret. Did you
know that? When you have a secret don't
you ache all over until you get somebody
to help you keep it? There is only now
and then a boy or girl-or man or wo-
man, for that matter-who is strong
enough to keep secret all alone. That's
truth! Well, as said, it was Il secret
about those kittens out in the barn. Every
day Susie and Minnie would steal out
while.the boys were all away, and pulling
the basket in which the kittens slept from
its hiding place under the old sleigh which
was summerng in the corner, they would
have royal time with the furry little
darings. Old mother pussy would scold
and spit little when she fancied they
were too rough with her babies, but for
the most part she was remarkably patient
and allowed the little girls to have their
own sweet will and they petted and ca
ressed and handled to their hearts con-
tent
But one day there came a visitor to the
old barn. Papa Brown had horse for
sale, and DR.. Miller called to take u look
at him, though the owner was away. He
came upon the children Just rs Susy was
trying to see how many kittens her chubby
arms would hold. And l am sure the
doctor never saw prettier sight than
those two little girls playing with the kit
tens, with the sunshine lighting up the
picture.
Halloo! he cried out, what have we
here? Kittens, as | live.
Yes, sir,repied Minnie; don't you think
they are nice?
Indeed | do. What will you take for the
lot! | came to buy Black Prince, but
perhaps | would do better to invest in cat
flesh. The horse might break my neck
you know, but cats never hurt one, do
they?
They scratch sometimes, said SuSy.
lisping out the words.
The doctor laughed.
DO they! Well, do little girls ever
scratch?
To the DOCTORS astonishment, Susie
hung her head and did not give back the
quick, saucy answer which he had learned
to expect from his little favorite. So he
wondering said:
| How is that Susy? Do little girls evel
scratchp
Then she burst out vehemently: Yes
did scratch that ugly Mr.. Moore, that
comes here to see Tom sometimes. Anc
don't care if | did. lie called me his
little curly, and tried to kiss me, and |
wouldn't be his curly. He smokes nasty
cigars, he does And told Tom if he
smoked any would scratch him too, if he
kissed me.
What's the matter with the cigarsF
asked the doctor laughing.
Susys eyes opened wide.
WHY, DR.. Miller! don't you know!
wouldn't let my papa smoke one, no more
than nothing, | wouldn't! think they is
awful. Mamma thinks so too, and so does
papa. | can't bear 'em. They do make
folks breath smell so dreadful, and Susy
ended with sniff that was very emphatic
And wouldn't you kiss me if had been
smoking? asked the doctor.
No, sir, DR.. Miller; you know
wouldn't
How old are you, Miss Susy9 was the
Doctors next question.
Five next September, was the prompt
reply.
Pretty we'll for four-year- old, said the
doctor. Does that grown up sister ol
yours hate cigars as you do? The question
was asked little anxiously.
| guess she does. heard her say thai
Mr.. Moore's cigar made her dreadful sick
and she didn't know what people wanted
to mako thomselves so diSaOreeable for