Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1882-03-09
HOW BABY WENT TO SEA.

A pretty home was that to which
Richard Grant brought his sweet young
wife one bright May day. A pretty
home, indeed, was the low, white cot
tage, almost covered in summer by the
rich green of the ivy, through which the
soft flush pink of creeping roses was
seen as they dropped their heads be-
hind the protecting leaves of that "rare
old plant, the ivy green," as if to hide
their faces from the kisses of the sun,
the bright gaze of butterfly, and the
sweet love-song of Bob White and Robin
Redbreast.
Tall, dark trees sheltered the cottage
from heavy winds and the scorchine
rays of the sun. Carefully-kept gar
dens, where not only were found rare
and beautiful flowers, but where one
breathed the wildwood fragrance, and
where violet and fern and feathery
clemais grew in luxuriapt beauty, testi-
fed to the taste of the owner. Shady
walks led from the house to the road on
one side, and on the other to a miniature
boat-house and wharf jutting out into
a small cove. Smooth lawns, with here
and there patch of dandelion or a
cluster of daisies, stretched down to the
waters edge.
OF course it was not always sunny and
bright at ''Rose Cottage" as they called
it. Still their home was happy one in
spite of the long separations that Mr..
Grants voyages made necessary. He
was d sea Captain, and though his wife
was q brave woman, the days seemed
long. the nights dreary; and the winds
always blew much harder, she thought,
when Richard was away. But one day
there came to Rose Cottage the bright
est bit of sunshine that was ever made
up in a very small parcel. 1t had wee
face. with big, dark eyes, and the veriest
rosebud of mouth, and the foolish
young father and mother called the lit
tie creature Rosebud. And now the days
were short and bright, for Rosebud
wants were many, and hand and thought
were so busy that the hours fled by as
if on wings, leaving Mrs. Grant little
time for anxious thoughts and forebod-
ings.
And so time passed away. Ore small,
green mound marks the spot where an
other little daughter, who had staid but
few short days, lies sleeping. Rosebud
is now pretty child of eight years. She
will always be little and cunning, with
great brown eyes, and soft dark hair
falling in natural ringlets on her fore
head. The same rosebud mouth, much
inclined to pouting, sometimes spoils the
pretty face, and shows that she is n self
she is a dear little thing, sunny-tempered
and loving, and one day when she held
in her arms baby brother, wrapped up
to the tip of his funny pink nose in a
warm blanket, her delight knew no
bounds, and from that moment her
deepest love was given to him.
They called the baby John Allison
Grant. after the old grandfather, who
had smiled in pity when they named
their little daughter Rosebud. Baby
grew, and time passed more rapidly
than ever. Nearly three years had gone
when something happened one day that
turned their sunlight into a long, dark
night.
1t was a mild afternoon toward the
close of June, and the country looked
beautiful in its fresh green dress. Mrs.
Grant had been obliged to drive to the
village, a few miles further inland, and
had left Rosebud and baby at home
Rose was working in her garden, and
was very busy, when nurse interrupted
her.
sPlease, Miss Rosebud, will you play
with baby nowp You know L have an
errand to do for mamma, and I'll not
have more than time to do it before
dark. You won't be alone with him;
cook says she will look in at you now
and then, and Mrs. Grant will be COM
inc home before long"
ssBut don't want to take care of him
now, want to finish my garden" said
Rose; che can just run around and play
by me. Nothing can harm him.
No, no, Miss Rosebud" answered
the nurse, 81 can't leave him here; you
know how crazed he is after them boats,
and if | left him here, the first thing
YOU d see. he d be in the water, drownded
most likely"
ssBut I don't want to-" began Rose
when seeing the bright face of Allie, her
frown changed to a smile as she said:
.s.Wen, 1 s'pose I'll have to;' and fol-
lowing nurse they passed into the house.
For !. while they had splendid time,
playino all sorts of games; but at last
Rose was tired, and thinking of her new
hook of fairy tales still unread, she gave
Allie his tin soldiers to play with, and
seating herself in a comfortable arm
chair. began to read. All this did well
enough for time, but by and by the
baby arms grew tired of standing up
and knocking down soldiers and horses,
and Allie wanted something else to do.
Wosebud, pay wifi me, won't 'ou?"
he said. and "a she paid no attention, he
pulIed impatiently at her dress. "Wose-
bud. p'ay wit me, does 'ou hear?' he
ssked again, while he tried to climb
into her lap