The Bolivar bulletin. [volume] (Bolivar, Hardeman County, Tenn.) 1865-1888, 1882-05-04
RAG-BABIES.

years old, used to spend a great many
happy hours under the table, playing
with my rag-babies.
There were not many dolls in those
days in the town where 1 lived, but
children did not feel the want Of them
who had plenty of rag-babies. Every
now ana then mother made me a new
one.
They were very simple. Mother
rolled up piece of white cloth to the
right size, sewed the top together TO
round the head off, tied thread about
the neck to make il slender, and then
sewed another roll of cloth, long and
thin, tight to the back for arms There
were no feet but as the dresses were
always made to touch the floor, that
was no matter.
At one time / was the happy possess
sor of twelve rag-babies, more or less
beautiful. Many of the little girls l
played with had rag-babies, too, but
mine were thought the prettiest, be-
cause. whenever mother made me one,
she always took her water-colors and
painted face on it. So mine always
had brown hair curling about their fore
heads, little eyebrows, blue eyes, rosy
cheeks and red lips, and were always
smiling.
They all had names, but 1 can only
remember now Susanna and Alice
Susanna was rather large, and had
pink artificial rose sewed on the top of
her head, which made her look always
dressed for panty.
But Alice was my darling She was
the smallest rag-baby of all, and had
the sweetest little face, and a little
blue dress. | do believe she would
look pretty to me now if had her back
again.
Susie Bradley used to come some
times with her rag-babies, and we
played house on different figures on the
carpet. Julia Davitt came, too. but
she had doll, and liked to play
queen.
One day they were both at my house,
and the Cohen girls came in a little
whi.e after because it was wet, and their
mother would not let them play out of
doors.
"We haven't brought any rag
babies," said Fanny Cohen. ''But
you'll let us play with yours, won't you,
So let them each take two Of mine
to play with, and we had beautiful
time.
Julia took the easy-chair for her
house i had mine under the table,
Sadie and Fanny chose figures on the
carpet, and Lofty Cohen took the
hearth-rug, because her mother had
said she must stay where it was warm,
for she had sore throat. ] remember
she looked pale.
She seemed very fond of the two rag
babies l lent her, and said:
81 never had any so pretty as yours,
Maidie''
We went visiting each other, and
mother let us have cookies and sliced
apples to pass around. My rag-babies
appeared to great advantage, and Su-
sanna looked really brilliant with her
pink roses on her head.
81 have rag-baby bigger'n she is, at
home,'' said Fanny, 'but I'll change
with You if you'll give me Susanna.
But / had seen Fanny's, and /
wouldn't change, would you? For a
rag baby with no eyes and mouth, and
with finger-marks where her cheeks
ought to be- / didn't care if her dress
S0ds made out of an old silk apron.
At last the little girls had to go. Julia
carried her doll in her arms, and Sadie
huddled all her rag-babies into her
apron.
Come along, Lottie,'' said Fanny
Cohen.
Lofty laid down my two rag-babies re-
gretfully, and said:
:" L love 'em dearly, and l most hate
to leave 'em!'
However she did leave them, and /
set up the whole twelve in row, with
Susanna at one end and Alice at the
other. And you don know how cunning
and pretty Alice looked.
She had more timid smile than the
others. and her arms kept down, while
the rest held theirs straight out. If ]
had known what was going TO happen,
should have hid her!
The next morning / was sitting, inn0-
cent and unsuspecting, at the window, |
sewing some patchwork, when Lofty !
Cohen came in and stood around. She /
did not want to take her bonnet of, and 4
She seemed to have something on her I
mind.
81 wasn't very well last night" she 4
said, slowly, after while, coming near 4
er to me.
/ felt sorry for her, and she looked at
me with a hesitating smile.
81 had TO take castor-oil,' she went
on, ''and / didn't want 10 take it, but
mother hired me"
What did she give youP'' asked.
with interest.
'sOh, nothing, but she said If ] would
take it she guessed Maidic Bolles would
give me one Of her rag-babies, 80 took
IL. and she told me this morning could
come over for the rag-baby."
There was Il minute of awkward 4
silence. / did not see then, and don't /
see now, what business Mrs. Cohen
had to hire her little girl to take bad /
medicine by promising her one Of my
rag-babies.
felt a sort of shyness about object
ing. and had a queer feeling that IL
did not give Lofty Tag-baby, then her
mother would have deceived her, and it
would be my fault.
NY own mother had gone over 10
Aunt Ann's on an errand, so there was
no one to consult with, and when Lofty
said, hopefully: