Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1883-01-24
The Little Visitors.

II was such cold day that the people in
the streets hurried by, muffled up almost
to the tips of their noses, while the window
panes were covered with frost fern leaves
and branches of coral, that were very pretty
to look at If they had not looked so cold;
and no one who could help it cared about
going out.
Three little people, however, took this
dreadful day to go a-visiting They did
not go very far, to be sure-only to Cousin
Nellie's room; and when Cousin Nellie
who was very busy writing a story for little
readers (Which she often did,, heard a slow
pattering down the stairs, and then whis-
pering and laughing, and finally loud
knocking on her door, that was kept up
until the visitors fairly got into the room,
she wondered little what was coming
now.
But she was used to funny things, for
she had two little cousins and small
neighbor next door, who played with
them great deal, and Cousin Nellie was
not very much surprised even to hear
sort OF bark that seemed to be suddenly
stopped. Then there was little barking
in whisper-for Billy, the dog, always felt
that he ought to bark whenever there was
anything going on, and he was quite sure
that there was something going on now.
When Cousin Nellie said, "Come I'M"
the door opened suddenly, and in tumbled
Billy, the first thing, with one of the boys
caps on his head. He looked absurd enough,
but he was supposed to be a gentleman who
had come with the three ladies'. They in
troduced him as "Mr. Bill" but with one
shake he knocked the cap off his head, and
picking out the warmest place (as he always
di1l in ataod of atfan1inn tn tho lodiao ha
settled himself down behind Cousin Nellie's
stove and went fast asleep.
"Why Mrs. Brown" said the lady of the
house Chat was Cousin Nellie, you know,
as she saw Clara's bright eyes pesping out
from under her mothers black lace veil,
while the velvet sacque fairly reached her
| feet, -" | am very glad to see you-do walk
in. And this is Mrs. Smith, isn't it So
kind of you, Mrs. Smith, to come out on
such day as this"
"Mrs. Smith " was Mamie Rade, the lit.
tie thing, with great blue eyes and cheeks
like damask roses. She was bundled up so
in big shawl that she could hardly move
and she had on a large bonnet with great
bunch of flowers in it.
| But the funniest figure of all was little
roly-poly Alice, who was nearly as broad as
she was long, whose dress trailed so that
she nearly tumbled at every step; and she
carried grandmamma's muff, that was nearly
as large as herself When Cousin Nellie
called her "Mrs. Biscuits" and gave her
the rocking-chair, she was very much de-
lighted-it made her feel quite as though
she was grown.up lady going out visiting.
ave have brought all our children" said
Mrs. Brown, who thought that she ought
to say something; and she displayed her
largest doll, Flora Matilda" closely muf
fled up.
Mrs. Smith seemed to have pair of twins
in her arms and little Mrs. Biscuits held
out an unfortunate infant with only one foot
and no hands to speak of.
"The darlingsl" exclaimed the lady of
the house, as though she were very much
delighted to see them, " but are you not
rather afraid to have them go out such cold
weather as this J."
"Oh, no." replied Mrs. Brown, "we
thought it would do them good for they all
have the smallpox and scarlet fever"
"But that is very wrong" said the lady
of the house, I" for such things you know,
are catching, and l am really afraid to have
them here"
Mrs. Brown looked as though she did not
care in the least; and Mrs. Smith said in
ucl Bcutic
"They amt very sick, guess, and
maybe they'll keep it all to themselves.
They cried to come, and we had to bring
them"
"That is not beginning right, Mrs.
Smith-you will spoil your children. When
| was child l never got anything that l
cried for"
"Maybe you didn't cry very loud" said
Mrs. Biscuits, who was pretty good at this
herself and then forgetting the play she
added, as though she had just thought OF
it." | never heard you cry at all, Cousin
Nellie"
This made Cousin Nellie laugh; and
then they all laughed at Mrs. Biscuits and
poor little Mrs Biscuits began to cry quite
in earnest; and then Cousin Nellie had to
take her on her lap, dolly, muff and all
until, finally, she got quiet again.
Then the lady of the house thought of Of
fering her visitors refreshments-a rosy
checked apple and an orange for each and
after while they all said they must go.
Cousin Nellie Brown, who wished to be
very polite, said;
81 am very happy to wish you good morn.
ing. Ella Rodmdn Church, in Churchman.