The Bossier banner., 1884-11-13

time IN the corner, PLAYING ghupahJ
Edith was the minister, Of course. elss
why was she two years older? Wb;E
'Bess, looking very solemn and slee,,vI
did the congregation to life, as she ~
in her little chair, surrounded by -
large doll-family.
''We will sing now, Bess, SO stsn1
up" said Edith. after she had gon.
over all the verses she could rememberl
by way of sermon. And Bess, olad
to change, rose up at once, and tba~
piped up in shrill, high voices, and Then
Edith wound up with "Amen'' IN hes
loudest voice, but after looking at Bes1
moment she changed It to "a
women, cause they amt men here.
Bess wanted to 90 on singing. 40 Il
grew louder and louder, and rnamma
looking up with the worried look SID
between her eyes.
20 children, what a racket von
make! Can't you play something nioa
and quiet?"
"No. mamma," answered Edith
"We feel all full of noise, and I wish
you would letaus go out doors, tberais
such lots of room there. Please do]
mamma"
And Bessie, Edith's echo, said, '.Psl
do, num-"
1t was almost train-time. and tia
track lay just outside the door-yar5l
But mamma had been out and shut W.
gates SO securely that the little fingers
could not open them, Just before sbs
commenced her sewing, though ifia
had not been for her bother over lie
little dress, she would have remember.
ed that Bill, the hired man, had been
up for Jug Of water little while be-
fore, and nothing could ever make BIZ
remember to close the gates carefully.
He was not used to the 3hildren's pres
ence there yet as they Fad come out ID
the farm only short otime before, to
spend the summer at grandpa's. But
all this slipped out of mammals mind.
and she said, ''Yes, 60 on, and be GOOD
girls. -
And away they ran out into the pret,
ty sunshine they loved so we'll
1t was very quiet now, in the big
sunny room, with no sound to break
the stiffness, but the click of grandma's
needles from the bright corner whera
dear grandma sat knitting, and doing
sometimes. and old Bose, the great VET
low mastiff, snoring on the rug.
Presently. missing the babies, whom
he had adopted at once rs his especial
charges, he stretched himself with A
huge yawn, and slowly followed. them
out of doors. And mamma, looking I'M
/ a moment, said:
Mother. Bose is getting so old. He
ism t good for anything now but to lie
around and sleep. should almost
think father would have him put out Of
the way"
Grandma's needles stopped clicking.
and she looked up in astonishment.
why, daughter, you surely don't thinl1
what you are saying. Why. / belieYe
father would as soon think of putting
me out of the way. Bose Why, what
could we do without Bose?''
ssNell, mother, I know it, only feel
cross and worried this morning and
everything goes the wrong way. Don't
mind what say
''Are the gates all closed, daughtera
It s almost train time"
Eyes, mother, I closed them before /
sat down to sew. But, ohln-with q
sudden thought flashing through hef|
mind -"Bill has been up since then.
And Just as mamma ran out, the
train whistled. Her brain reeled at the
picture before her. For there, on tleI
track, standing still, with her dear
sunny head bent forward in her bewil
derment, and her little hands full of
flowers -''pitty towers for mum was
baby Bess. And Edith stood crying al
loudly as she could on the bank.
All this was photographed on the
mothers heart forever, as she ran, iIl
vain hope of reaching her baby in t;sne.
But there was one before her, and Boss
flew past her like yellow flash. ~
great bounds he gained the track
caught the baby in his teeth. and theYl
were safe on the meadow grass IS the
train Numbered by.
In the mothers heart was a psalm a
thanksgiving. as she crept down after
them, fot her strength had all gone,l
and everything grew very dim, as She
c.asped the baby in her arms, and Boss
stood looking on most anxiously, as be-
saw the number of his patients thus lll5
creasing.
But mamma opened her eyes in atew
moments, and seeing Bose standing
over her. she took his honest old hcad
in her arms, and kissed him on his fors-
head.
i o Bose. dear Bose, how could even
have said such things about you as | |
did, you who saved my baby's life. Y
Il Bose. if You viii forgive me, you shan
have the best time all your life, and ali
the fresh meat you can possiblyea !,
Wqereat, Bose nearly wagged bis tais
off with delight IL. h. CisttteRdeIs fs
Yoltth's Companion.