Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1879-03-10
9glonth's Column.
THE LITTLE BROWN TAG.

She would run away. You see, she
did't know any better, and l suppose
couldn't understand why a little girl
could not go where she pleased. There
was so much more room out of doors
than there was in the house, and Nellie,
though not three years old, was very
fond of blue sky and sunshine. Then,
the sparrows never came into the house,
and Nellie had an idea that the birds
and gay-tinted butterflies had futtered
down from heaven for her especial pleas
ure. The neighbors sometimes called
her "The Little Brown" and papa fire.
quently called her his "little Brown
Bird" because she was so small and had
such funny ways with her. Now, Nellie
had large grounds to play in, but she
imagined that the high fences kept a
good many of the birds and butterflies
out.
To be sure she had dolls, and all the
playthings she asked for, but nothing
was half so nice as the great outdoors.
So it happened that whenever this baby
girl felt like it, and got a chance, she
was sure to run away. Mamma and
nurse couldn't be watching all the time,
as there were more little Browns besides
Nellie to be taken care of. At last
mamma hit upon plan that she thought
might be of some use. She took paste
board card and wrote on it "Nellie
Brown, No. Washington Avenue,
Brooklyn" and every morning when
Nellie was dressed, this card was fasten-
ed securely to her back. For whole
week this little bundle of mischief SEEM
ed perfectly cOntented at home, but one
beautiful summer afternoon Miss. Nellie
strolled down into the garden. The
coachman had neglected to close the
back gate, and out she went.
Oh what fun this was ! Nellie's
faxen curls stood out straight as she
bounded down the street. Where was
she going? Nowhere in particular, but
everywhere. She felt as if all the all
and all the sky were hers, and she could
do as she pleased. She had been brought
back so many times that she hardly
stopped running till she reached one o.
the entrances to Fort Greene. Sh,
sauntered in till she came to a seat un
der tree, and there fell fast asleep-o
course she did-for the little Brow
bird" was all tired out.
The first thing she knew she wa
awakened by rough hand on her shOul
der, and rough voice said, "What ar
you doing here, little girl p The
Nellie rubbed her sleepy eyes, and locke
up to see who it was. There stood
horrible man, so dirty, ragged, an
icked-looking that it is no wonder tn
child began to cry. "Come along wit
me-" he said '1'll give you some cand
and some ice.cream in minute"
Then Nellie caught sight of police
man. She had been taught that lit
girls always had friend in policeman
and when she saw his blue coat al
brass buttons she screamed just as lou
as she could. Oh how that policema
did run. You would have laughed
see him pick Nellie up in his arms; bl
the tramp didn't laugh, l can tell 20
I'll tell you what he did do; he ran
fast as his legs would carry him.
SNOW, little girl. where do you live
said the officer.
"Look on my back !" said Nellie, al
then he put her down on seat and e
amined the little Brown Tag. Of cour
she got home all right, and the polio
man laughed all the way there. su
pose twas funny but Nellie has nev
run away since Christian Union.