Daily globe., 1879-05-04

AAS11
'pOtless attire.
perhaps there is some excuse for her,
Prue," said the other sister, who always
found cloak Tor every ones shortcom-
ings. "Katie says she has three little |
and does her own work. A sick
baby, too, who cries half the night. You
know Katie's room is on that side Of the
house. She says she often sees the little
woman walking the floor late at night,
with the baby in her arms.''
"All habit, this walking the floor with
said Aunt Prudence, who
would have every child brought up by
rule, as far as sleeping and eating were
"Why haven't you been in to see her?"
inquired Laura, wheeling suddenly
around on the piano.stool.
'She has her hands full without seeing
strangers" answered her mother.
Then the sisters conversation drifted
away upon other topics, while Laura fell
into brown study that lasted about ten
minutes, when she suddenly rose, and
taking her water proof from a closet,
said, abruptly:
''Jm going over there's
sWhere9" echoed mother and aunt,
having forgotten their previous converse
tion.
''Our next door neighbours"
'Are you crazy, child? 1t is morning,
and she will not have her work done,"
said her mother.
"Your hair is in crimp- pins," called
Aunt Prue, for the wilful girl had by this
time reached the gate.
The door bell next door was broken, SO
Laura raped; but there was such COM
motion in the hall that she could not be
heard, so she opened the door and
walked in. A boy of five was in the act
of sliding down the balusters, which feat
he accomplished with such rapiditv that
the astonished visitor held her breath till
she saw that he landed safely. A little
girl with tangled curls and a very dirty
apron was shouting and clapping her
hands as audience.
;'We're playing circus. Mamma is in
the sitting.room,' they replied, in answer
to Laura's questions.
The door was opened, as Laura tapped
by pale, tired. looking woman, with q
baby in her arms just freshly dressed, but
so fretful that nothing but constant toss.
ing up and down would keep him quiet
There were traces of tears on the mothers
face, and the room was in disorder. She
evidently was much surprised at he1
visitor, but Laura's easy manner reas.
sured her.
81 am Laura Lamont-your neighbor
I only heard this morning that your baby
was sick, and came over to rest you {
little. Let me carry him around a little
while, am sure your arms must ache
And without waiting for a reply she
took the baby, who was so surprised tt
see the lovely face bending over him tina
he forgot to cry.
tsHe is not SICK" said the mother, try
ing hard to keep back the tears; che ha
fretted like that since he was born.
feel sometimes as if I could not bear i
any longer. I was awake half the nigh
with him and now it is nearly time t,
get dinner, and my breakfast-table no
cleared, nor bit of work done. l be
lieve he tries to keep awake"
why don't YOU try letting him cry?
II have to, sometimes; but he cries s.
hard am afraid he will have spasm
swell, trust him with me a little while !;
and Laura began walking up and dow
| the room, singing low lullaby, Will
tue little woman picked up the playthings
brushed the hearth, and made the room
look more cheerful; then she went owe
to her breakfast table.
A half-hour's singing and walking be
fore the little one was ready for his era
die; then Laura nodded good-by to he
neighbor, who was busily preparing din
ner, and got in return such a look Q
heartfelt thanks that she went home wit
new feeling in her heart.
sit was SUCH little thing to do, an
yet have made somebody happier.
: have been of some use. Poor thing,
should think she would be utterly dis
couraged."
And forthwith there was sligh
change in the resolution she had forme
that morning. It now read, II wi
never marry widower, a doctor, or
poor man." Then she laughed softly
herself, as she thought what Aunt Pru
7 would say.
The next morning the sun shone, an
Laura, to every body's astonishment, ar
, peared at the breakfast table and ar
nounced her intention of surprising be
lazy pony by going for drive. Ever
body else was busy, so she started alone
} But just as she was gathering up th
r reins wistful little face peered throug
/, the fence in the next yard.i
II say, you've got jolly pony"
"Would you like to go with m,
Charlie2''
/; "My name is Tommy Blake. I'll be
I'd like to go; and Susie, too"
3 swell, run and ask mamma"
, In a few moments the happy little one
+ were in beside her-Susie clinging tin
t idly to her skirts; while Tommy stoo
f boldly up in front, whip in hand, read
to stir up the pony.
: "It will be such rest for me; the
are so full of mischief" said Mrs. Blak,
4 as she put them in; and again th
q thankful look went down into Laura
e heart, and made the morning very hal
: py one.
e 1t was one of those early spring da,
when every thing seems delightful aft
: the long, cold winter. The pony fe
; lively, and so did the children. Tomm,
O in particular, was inclined to be rath'
more communicative about home matte
Y thaa Laura desired.
t "Papa is cross sometimes when dinn'
s isn't ready, and says bad words; the
/: mamma cries. Dinner was ready yeste
il day, though, cause you helped"
u "Who is coming, Tommy2" said Laur
O anxious to change the subject.
I "Hello, that's the doctor! know hir
3 He sewed up my head when I fell dow
). stairs" and he waved his hat at that ge
e tleman, who was looking with surprise
} the pheton and its occupants.