Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1881-09-08
A FUNNY LITTLE PLANT.

mo, dear; IL Is not suitable for lit
tie girls! When you are older you can
have it,
1t seemed to poor little Susy she was
always hearing something like this. She
was the only child in the family, and
was fond of trying to do exactly what
big folks did. And she got very tired
of being told she was too little to do
this thing, or that thing. ..
Papa said. "You are rot quite big
enough to ride the pony yet, dear"
Mamma said, "When you are little
taller you can water all the plants on
the stand, Susy."
Aunty said, "Pd like to take her
with me, but she's SO little she'd be
tired to DEATH"
Grandma said, THAT sweetmeat is
entirely too rich for the child; she
ought not to touch it."
Susy tried everything she had ever
heard of to make little girls grow fast.
She was told that going to bed early
would do it, and one bright, summer
afternoon she went to bed ut five
o'clock. 1t seemed about a week to
her usual bedtime, and. after all, when
she looked in the glass in the morning
she could not see that she was one bit
taller.
She had hoped that when she went
down stairs her mamma would raise her
hands and say: ..
Dear me! Unjust set the ruflles of
Susy's dresses down; she does grow so
fast"
She had heard that rain and sunshine
made the flowers grow, and she sat out
doors, first in one and then in the other
till she came near having the Group and
a sunstroke. And still no one ever ex-
claimed. How that child does grown
One morning in early summer she
followed her mamma about the garden.
"How wonderfully fast this orange
tree grows"' said mamma. "Look.
Susy, at those fresh shoots; do believe
they have grown three inches since yes
terday morning."
Susy looked, and a new and delight
full idea came into her mind. The or
ange tree was growing in IN earthen
tiower-pot; that must be what made it
grow so fast.
She said nothing to mamma, but
waited till she gave the tree q good
sprinkling and went into the house.
Then SuSy ran 10 the root-house and
picked out n large fiower-pot, which she
placed at the end of the back porch
steps opposite to which the orange
stood. .....--
'.Pll be growing at one end and the !
orange at the other" said Susy. With |
her little spade she began digging up
the soft earth. When she had ioosened |
up what she thought enough she took |
off her shoes and stockings and stepped |
into the pot. Her plump little ieet |
hardly had room enough, but she
crowded them in side by side and SHOW
eled some earth on them.
1t was very hard work. She came
near topping over several times-and
then found she had not enough earth |
dug up, and that she could not dig
while standing in the fiower-pot. 1t
was too bad TO disturb her feet, but she
had to get out and then begin over
again. BY the time that she had filed
in nearly to her knees and patted the J
earth smooth on the top her poor little
back was almost broken.
But she stood straight up. feeling
very proud and happy. and smiled over
at the orange tree.
Now" she said. - must wait for
to come and sprinkle me, and
then shall begin to grow. She will
pour water on my feet, too. Dear me!
/ wish she'd hurry"
1t was not easy standing there. Her
feet were cramped and aching, and the
sun was getting very hot. The orange
tree did not seem to mind it at all; its
bright, shining leaves smiled back at
Susv. looking as if they had lived on
all their lives and liked it.
IF l only had something to lean
against"' said poor Susy. "All the
zines lean against the trellis-that's be-
cause they get tired of standing alone.
wish was near trellis-but plants
,an't walk. l wish mamma'd come
md sprinkle me-Iknow I'd feel better
hem" She had been planted only
lbout half an hour. but it seemed like
half day. She wondered how long
The would have to stay there before she
rev three inches.
6 l might sit down, / suppose" she
presently said, looking at the step. II
iever saw plants sitting down, but i
know they would if their backs acbed
Ike mine" She almost toppled over
IL trying it, but at last managed to seat [
herself and rest her tired little head on
he step next above.
More than an hour latter, mamma
,egan to wonder what kept Susy SO
ong, and went into the garden to see. ,
d ..Why, Susyr" she cried, as she saw
Ter. "what in the world are you doing,
,et?' ,eas r4t+0d sil lt,' -a-
Susv rubbed her sleepy eyes and
ooked around. Then she was wide {
wake in minute, and got herself
fright up again as quickly Us she could {
I'm proving, mamma! Look, am