The Milan exchange. (Milan, Gibson County, Tenn.) 1874-1978, 1882-11-11
A HAPPY THOUGHT.

A HAPPY THOUGHT.
"What looking roomr exclaimed
Olive Kendall, as she came in from
school and added to the confusion of
the sitting-room by throwing her sachel
on the lounge. "Why doesn't some
body fix it up?' But no one answered.
Only Leila and Nora were there to an
swer, and both their heads were bent
over geographical puzzle
Olive threw herself into an easy-chair
and looked out of the large bay-window.
1t was pleasanter to turn her head that
way than to look around the disordered
room. She only wished she could turn
her thoughts away from the room easily,
but she could not so long as that voice
kept saying:
"You know that Bridget is out with
the twins, and that Kate is busy getting
dinner, and that there is no one but
yourself to put the room in order-you
and your little sisters. Why not 90 to
work and have a surprise for mamma
when she comes in?'
Leila and Nora, we really ought to
fix up the ROOM" said Olive, with
half-yawn. 1.-The twins have scattered
their things. Won't you help?"
In minute answered Nora.
eve only want little crooked piece to
go right in there"
Yes" responded Leila, "it's Fin
land"
d" Aren't you eoming?" asked Olive,
as she listlessly folded an afghan Again
the answer was:
Just as soon as VIC find Finland"
Olive looked about the room in
hopeless, helpless sort of way. with
Leila and Nora both in Finland" she
thought, 81 may as well give up ex-
pecting their help. If it were only
game"
She stood moment in thought Her
face suddenly frightened. She went to
mammals desk and cut six slips of
paper, then wrote word on each.
care you getting some strips ready
for consequencespn asked Leila a new
interest in her face, as she looked up
from the pieces of map.
mo, but you've guessed pretty WE'LL"
admitted Olive, for it's a game-a
new one"
"a game! A new oner' echoed the
little sisters, not only losing interest in
Finland, but letting the whole of Eu-
rope, fall apart. Lets play it! I'm
tired of this map-puzzle."
"Yes, Olive, tell us how" pleaded
Leila, land then Wen help with the
room. We truly will"
81 don't know that you'll like the
game" said Olive, "but I'm sure that
mamma will
Then we shall, of course" said
Nora, very decidedly. "Lets begin it
now.h
So Olive laid the slips on the table
the written side downward. Then she
said: 'Now we are to draw in turn, the
youngest first. Come, Norar'
Nora looked at the different pieces of
paper, put her finger on the last, and
then suddenly changed her mind and
took the one nearest her.
Don't look at it yet, Nora" said
Olive.
"Oh, | shall certainly look, if Leila
doesn't hurry" said Nora, excitedly,
shutting her eyes very tight, but soon
opening them to ask: "Is there prize,
OliveP' and jumping up and down as
Olive nodded.
After Leila had settled upon one of
the slips, she and Nora made Olive shut
her eyes while they changed all about
the papers that were left. for fear that
Olive, having made them, might choose
|, a better one than they. At last they all
had slips.
NOW readr' signaled Olive.
Table % said Nora, consulting her
paper,
Chdtrsn' read Leila. from hers.
Carpet" announced Olive.
"Now whatP" asked Nora. "Do
pass mine on to Leila?' But Olive was
on her knees, picking up lot of play
things.
"Mine was carpet" she said, as she
hastily put handful of toys into a little
cart belonging to the twins, $50 I'm to
take everything off the carpet that
doesn't belong there. You are to put
in order whatever your paper tells you,
and the game is to do it as well and as
quickly as you can"
Nora flew to the table. She ran into
the hall with Teddy's hat, and into the
nursery with Freddy's whip. Then she
got brush and prepared to sweep of
the table-cover. To do this she piled
some books on one of the chairs.
My paper says chairs, cried Leila,
Stand fhara ora aiObf af fhan,t IL vftt