The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1881-09-23
CRANDMA'S STORY.

z nm only five years old but have q
great deal of trouble. Papa pulls my
ears, and calls me sad rogue; brother
Tom asks me every night what new
mischief have been up to to-day; and
poor mamma signs, and says L am the
most troublesome child she ever saw.
But dear good grandma looks up from
her knitting, and smiles as she says,
"Tut, tut, daughter Our Amy isn't
any worse than little girl knew some
thirty years ago."
go grandma !" cried / one day, edo
please tell me about her for L like to
hear about naughty little girls. What
was her name, grandma?
Grandma looked over her spectacles
at mamma and smiled, and mamma nod
ded and smiled back. Then grandma
said, CT think will tell you of one of
little Clara's capers but mind, you are
not to go and do the same thing the first
chance you get"
This is the story as grandmother told
it:
"Little Clara lived on q farm away
out in the country. She was the youngest
of seven children, and great pet, of
course. But Clara's little restless feet
and mischievous fingers often brought
her into trouble and disgrace.
Gone day Clara's mother had occa-
sion to go to the store, which was three
miles away. Clara wanted to go too.
Her mother feared she would be in the
way, and looked doubtful; but big
brother Ben said, Let her go, mother.
She'll be good, know.
Go Yes let her go, said Susan, who
was trying to net bead purse, and keep
Clara's fingers out of her box of beads
at the same time.
"'Do let her go p said Roger. Il
want to rig my ship this afternoon and
fellow can't do much with her around.
$50 it was decided that Clara should
go; and it was the work of but few
moments to polish up the chubby face
and hands, and brush the curly hair.
The pink dress, red shoes, and white
sun bonnet, were put on as quickly as
possible, and Clara was ready.
Now, do try and behave yourself,
child said Susan, as Ben lifted the little
girl into the wagon.
'Of course l will, replied Clara,
pouting her red lips.
"'But did she behave herself 2 you
ask. All L will tell you.
"When they reached the store, Mr..
Dale, the storekeeper, came out to assist
them and, as he helped Clara out of
the wagon, he called her a little lady,
which made her feel all of two inches
taller than usual. Then he gave her a
stick of candy, and lifted her to seat
on the counter, close beside dear old
pussy cat, who purred loudly as the lit
tie girl smoothed her fur.
"Clara's mother had a good many
things to buy, and very soon forgot all
about her little daughter when Ben
came in, half an hour later, his first
question was Where's Clara. mother?'
"Sure enough, where was Clara ? Her
seat was empty. She had disappeared.
CLARA, Clara !! called both her mother
and Ben; but there was no answer.
She's i'll some mischief. said Ben !:
and, as quick as thought, he rushed into
the back part of the store, followed by
his mother and Mr., Dale. What sight
met their eyes There stood Clara, III
the center of the room, stepping back
slowly, as pool of molasses, streaming
steadily from hogshead in the corner,
crept towards the toes OF her little red
shoes. Ben caught up Clara as quick as
q flash, and"
mo, grandma" interrupted mamma,
" it was Mr.. Dale who did that, while
Ben made haste to turn the faucet to
prevent further mischief.
"Why, mamma" said /, chow do
you know? Were you there?"
81 heard about it. said she and she
and grandma both smiled. 1.-The little
girl was just my age, and L knew her
very WELL"
"And your names were both Clara,
said /. "How queer !"
And mamma and grandma must have
thought it queer, too for they both
laughed heartily.