Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1885-05-04
Gales aud Sketfhts.
SHOWED IN.
THE STORY OF A BRAVE GIRL.

| ton ABOUT ceTtdlH utdC oio hOoGO Se@sA'N
ing far I'D on the ST. John River.
Within. Mrs. Grace sat before the great
fire place in the forenoon, so bundled up
in shawls ard blankets and hoods. that she
lcould scarcely stir. In a warm corner OF
the hearth lay three or four bricks, welN
wrapped in newspapers. and two home
made robes were hanging across chair
to warm-everything indicating prepare
tons for long, cold journey
Without, Mr.. Grace was hitchlDg the
old red mare into the thilIs of the still
older red pung. that looked as if it might
have come over in the ..Mayfiower." His
round, good natured face wore a troubled
expression. and he jerked at old Dolly's
bit once or twice in an ungentle way.
which wasn't at all like himself.
The small part of Mrs. Grace's face
that was visible among the folds of her
home knit hood, showed the same look OF
anxiety, ana her voice trembled good
deal when she spoke to the children. and
gave Charly her last directions.
There were four of the children-Dean
and Emma. and Joe and Charly-though
Charlv was not one of the Grace children.
Mrs Grace had taken her-a wee, lame
mIle-when there was no one else to take
UtT. anu SHE DlIcU tttlditt cuC tphi'h
and didn't love one of her own little ones
better than she could and did love Charly.
Emma, and Dean and Joe were round,
rosy little bodies of three, and five, and
seven Years. blue-eyed and yellow haired.
Charly was l. and she was neither round
nor rosy. Her face was thin, and her eyes
were big and shadowy. And Charly was
lame there WAS a pair OF tiny crutches
always by her chair.
Il couldn I think of going" said Mrs.
Grace. "if Charlv wasn't the wise. patient
| little mother know she is. | never was
so worried in my life. But what can l
do ?"
1t was hard question to answer. in
deed. For the night before had come
letter to Mrs. Grace, from her sister in
distant town. SAYING that her mother-the
children's dear old OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES
very. very i'll.
Come at once" the letter read. and it
was week old when Mr.. Rnggold. who
lived two miles above them, but was yet
their nearest neighbor in the sparsely
settled region. brought it from the post
office five miles below. 1t was little to be
wondered at that the tears filled poor Mrs.
Grace's eyes, that her lips quivered and
her voice shook.
Il couldn't do it if it was not for trust
ing in Charly. So" she repeated time and
again. in tones that brought pretty glow
to Charly's thin face. 81 know you'll
take good care of them, dear. There's
enough baked. and I've left the jar of
doughnuts in the closet"
"Oh. good, good" cried Joe. Can
we have all we wantp Oh. won't it be
fun, Cbarlyp"
You must have what Charly gives
yOu," said Mrs. Grace, and attend to what
Charly says. I've locked the pantry door
so you can't bother her by running in and
out And now"
She looked at Charlv as the outer door
opened.
I'm do just the best can," said Char
ly. bravely.
II know you will. dear. Be good chill
dren. all of you"
There's wood enough piled up in the
entry to last vou," said Mr. Grace, little
huskily. 1--WE shall be back day after to-
morrow night, sure. All ready. WIFE"
And few minutes later old Dolly was
Jogging at her best pace down the snowy
level of the river. 1t was thirty miles to
Dunbar Corner
Il wish they were at home, again."
said Joe.
"They will be here again before you
know it," laughed Charly. "And now
I'll tell you story"
So the three little ones cuddled around
Charly's chair, before the open fire. while
she told them the wonderful tale of
Three Tiny Pigs" and from first to last
they listened breathlessly, though they
had heard the same story many times be-
fore. no doubt.
Charly had wonderful gift for telling
stories, Mrs. Grace often declared
And Charley had a gift for something
beside story telling. When the story
came to an end she smiled.
bring me my box. will you, Joey.
please ?" Charly asked.
Her poor little limbs were so weak and
misshapen that it was with difficulty that
she could move about, even with the
aid of her crutches.
She obeved. climbing up on the wide
four posted bed in the corner, and taking
from shelf above it square wooden
box with a sliding cover. Dean and EN-
my knew what was coming then.
"Give me the kitty ~ pleaded Emmy.
"And me the mooses." said Dean.
They're deers, goosey," said Joe with
a little scorntu sniff LET me see all of
EN-, won't you. Charly?"
Charly smiled in her brightest way. and
pulled off the cover. Shall | tell you
what were there? The daintiest little i'm.
ages under the sun, carved all in wood
and the largest one scarcely four inches
high. 1t is true, they were the work of a
single awkward tool. in untaught fingers.
but if you had seen them, am very sure
you could not have hel ped exclaimng with
Joe and Dean and little Emmy:
"Oh. Charly, how pretty they are -
They were exceedingly true to lite, too.
There was the old house cat. which Emmy
instantly appropriated-why, you could
almost hear her drowsy purr-and there
were Deans .'mooses," with their deli.
cate. branching horns. and pair of rab-
bits eating clover. and a cunning Creep
ing baby; and there was old Dolly her
self, standing with dropping head and
Topped ears-lazv Dolly.
81 should know her anywhere, laughed
Joe.
Charly laughed too. and fingered her
treasures lovingly. Her cheeks glowed.
and her eyes were starry.
DO you think they're nice?" she asked.
"As nice as some they have in the stores
Lat ~