The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1880-09-24
THE UNLIMITED GUEST.
I" Molly, put the kettle on,
Molly, put the kettle on,
Molly, put the kettle on
We'll all take tea ="

Well all take tea"
Thus sang the cheerful mother OF the
Donald family, as she set the kettle of
potatoes over the fire to boil for break
fast. The kettle was a tight fit for so
many potatoes, and Bonny, looking on
with interest from his high chair by the
fire, remarked:
Full, mamma; amt itP"
Eyes, laddie, full as it can hold-just
like our house."
"How it spatters and boils over,
mammal
"And our house spatters and boils
over with us, too, wee one"
Sure enough the Donald dozen did
live in such asmall tenement that it was
puzzle how they ever could all get
packed into it at once.
But then early in the morning the
father went out to his work; Alec fol-
lowed to the shop, Jeanne TO the store,
Nickie to sell morning papers. some to
school and some to do errands, till
Bonny and the baby would be left
alone with the mother. Then, shutting
the door after the last, she would say:
"Do you see how they all boil away,
Bonny?' and she would sing merrily as
she scrubbed, swept and cooked.
She did not sing SO often after father
Donald fell one day and broke leg.
Nor did she fill the kettle of potatoes as
full either after that. Mr.. Donald lay
helpless, and worried about the place he
feared he should lose.
''But I've worked for the house till
II
else. If they'd only promise to let
me back again when I'm able, I'd
bear the rest with an easy mind" said
the sick man, getting fevered and
flushed.
s.Lad. can't have you fret SO, "spoke
his wife at last. She took down her
bonnet and shawl. "I'n 90 and ask
the master myself. I don't believe he'll
refuse woman, and you such faith
full hand. Bonnyis so good he won't be
any trouble to you, and I'll take the
baby along"
So Bonny climbed up by the window,
end watched his mother and the baby
''boil away" like the rest.
Then Bonny played by himself long
while, it seemed to him. He built 3
q church tower with his blocks, like the
tower he could see shooting up above
the low roofs. He changed the blocks
into street cars. and dragged them up
and down the window-sil1. He thumbed
his torn picture-books; he thumped his
rag doll. Getting tired of all, he fiat
tened his dear little soft nose against
the pane, watching the people tramp.
tramping by on the brick sidewalks,
and the carts, drays, carriages, that
clamp, clamped over the stony street.
He liked this. and crooned over to him
self, contentedly, tunes that were no
tunes, and words that he made up as he
went along.
But time went on, and still his mother
did not come. Benny grew hungry,
and crept down TO ask papa about it.
Papa was lying quiet and breathing
heavily. Bonny had fairly sung his IA
ther to sleep.
It occurred to Bonny, as he tiptocd
back, that there could be no good rea-
son why he should not 60 and find his
mother, or else Jeanne, or Nickie, or
Ted. Jeanie's old red cape hung in the
corner; quickly he threw it over his yell.
low head, and holding it fast under his
chin with one hand. ne lifted the latch
and stepped forth.
He walked slowly and thoughtfully
off in the direction he had seen his
mother take, with short, nipping steps,
like q meditative chickabiddys. He
had not a doubt that he should come to
some member of his numerous family
before lOnu. but meanwhile he was