The Mineral argus., 1883-08-30
LittE plsstm's S%tep-mOther.

pair. Her flowe -tint-iace, Whlch mao
won f1r her the ct name of Blossom m,
flushed and stain d from weeping n
~oisfcured b a very decided irown.
In her chubby dimpled arm she
clasped a Maltese kitten, TO whom, child
fashion. she confined her troubles.
"Papa is going to bring me home a
cross, hateful step-mother," she D
alike Tommy Dyke has. Tommy says
his step-mother scolds him drefful, and
last week she made him give away bis
little dog cause it knocked down her
poIl p~arrot's cagel Oh, dearl oh, deari
Now Z suppose I'll have to give youawsy,
Won precious darling little kittie." The
Thought of losing her pet caused a fresh
bu,rt Of tears and sobs, and she hugged
so closely that il mewed with pain.
At last her face frightened.
"T know what I'll do" she said wise
Iv. nI'D 90 down to Aunt Mary's and
tel her all bout it. Praps she'll let
me stay with her and be her little
girl" -;.L
her father, and with no doubts about
finding the place disturbing her little
head she set out Upon her journey, with
her kitten in her arms.
Bnt kitty did not like the idea of be-
inc taken away from his home, and be-
Gan scratching and mewing at a great
rate, and at last escaped rom the arms
of his little mistress. scampered away,
and was soon out OF sight.
Blossom stood looking after it with q
very mournful air, feeling almost heart
broken.
Lost your kitten, little grip" ques-
toned a deep voice.
She turned round to see an old col
cred woman at her side, dressed in a
yellow gown, a blue apron, and a red
sacque fastened at the neck with an I'M
mense brass breastpin. In her ears
were long black earrings, viii ch almost
reached to her shoulders.
In spite Of her dark skin she had rath-
.er a pleasant face, and her interest in
Blossoms lost pet at once won ne
child's confidence. -.
''Yes, ma'am," she answered, land il
WAS such a pretty one, a real Maltese;
papa gave it TO me for a birthday pres
ent. / was taking il to Aunt Mary's
cause my step-motheT ill make me give
il away. / don't know 'xactly where
Aunt Mary lives, but ! guess l can ind
it,"
81 know your Aunt Mary, honey
said the woman, with a sweet smile
"Come with me, dearie, and will take
YOU to her" -,
lyon know my Aunt Miry," said
Blossom. eagerly; "oh! I'm dretful glad;
aud putting her little hand into the wo.
mans rough, coarse palm, she walked
along by her side as contentedly as
she had known her all her life.
After what seemed TO her a very lonl
Journey they came to a little white
wa he'd hut surrounded by sunfowers
the tallest Of which rea.hed above thu
roof
Hives here, lovey," said the woman
come in and rest awhile and | will Civ
YOU something nice 10 eat"
Blossom obediently trudged after her
for she began to feel quite hungry.
But once inside the house the WON
ans name changed. .
81 want your necklace" she sai'
crafty.
blossom opened her blue eyes il
amazeinent "My necklaceI" sh
echoed.
Yes! give it 70 me quickl to pay 70
all INV trouble in bringing you here
Blossom wal too frightened and aston
ished to comply, so the woman not yer
gently unclasped the ornament froi
the child's neck, tore her pretty ring
from her fingers, disrobed her OF he
lace dress, and even took the Frenc
kid SHOES and stockings from her fee
while her husband stood by GRIMM
aud rolling his eyes until n1thlng b'
the whites of them we're visible.
"You are u smartun, Sally" he sal
approvingly. 1--WE will keep ner an
SEND her out 10 beg foy-"
His wife gave hiDa q glance Of withe
lng scorD.
"Spec you dunno when you are We
off, James," she interrupted. HE
folks are rich, and will spend a heap
none 10 6nd her. These 'tectives a
getting so foxy there's no escaping thel
We have got her hx,ngs, and now Il
best thing we can do is TO get rid of h.
as soon Is possible" ,
liking down an old dress Of hers 81
cut it Of around the bottom, then put
on Blossom, laughing at the comical a
pearance she presented in It. NC
come she said, seeing her roughly
the arm, land we will 20 TO Au
Mary's."
Trembling Blossom followed her, I
frightened TO utter a word Of complain
Afer 4 long walk they reached I
city. There the woman lett her, tellil
her TO 90 on u little further and s
would come 10 her aunt's.
But none of the squalid tenemeI
with groups Of dirty children playing
front Of them bore any resemblance
the grand brownstOne mansion whe
her aunt lived; and tired and huns
Blossom sat down on a doorstep al
sobbed bitterly. There a policem
found her.
What is the matter, little girl?'
asked kindly. Then Blossom told h