The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1885-10-07
Little MeddIe-Fnger's Lesson.


very short skirts Freddy wore almost any
thing which came down to him from the
Others, and darling little Kitty wore Mother
Hubbsrds, which were very long at first
but became shorter very fast, as they shrunk
smaller and she grew bigger. Al the four
seemed so near of size, that people who did
not know them found it hard to tell which
really was the Oldest.
There was no doubt among themselves,
though. Harry was so sure that the fact of
his being one year older than Madge made
him boss" of ali the others, that he taught
them all to think so too. Madge was quite
willing to think so, for Harry had got to
''fourt' ms" in the multiplication table.
So when he decided that he was to be mas
ter of the new store. and the other three his
clerks she agreed at once, for of course no
one was fitted for keeping store who was
not able to keep accounts.
j was a wonderful place, that store. 1t
had wonderful run of custom, for every
body wished it success, and didall they could
to help bring success to it.
Polly O'Flynn had been lying almost all
her little life on hard bed. The doctors
could not help her, but one of them had
been heard to say that if she could be sent to
great hospital in the city, she could be
cured
But nobody belonging to Polly had a cent
of money to spare, so the matter was little
thought of until one day Harry Dodd saw
his father sending an old glass counter up
stairs, and asked
whats that for, papa?"
I've got new one, and want to put this
in the loft to get it out of the way" said his
papa.
It set Harry thinking, and the next day he
said to his mother
'IfI could have that old counter, and if [
could have q store. and get some candy
and nuts and soaps and tacks and
and afCrfrr,n
to sell, and if people would buy them.
and if some other folks would give some
more money, Polly OFlynn could 20 to the
hospital"
Il was great deal to say all at once. but
you see, he had been doing great deal OF
thinking.
Mamma smiled at first, but 1t set her
thinking too. Then she spoke to papa, and
the end of it was that the old counter was
brought down and set up at q side door of
the drug store
Then what fixing there was,
All the cunning and pretty things which
the children could find were hunted up and
set on shelf, some to look pretty aid some
to sell.
On another shelf were plenty of glass jars,
with candy and nuts and clothespins, for
Harry had been at a loss to ill his jars, aud
found that clothespins make great show
fofNery little money.
glass and this was great relief, for they
might be supposed to be filled with goods,
while really they were empty. But they
had learned names on them, which gave the
thing delightful business-like air.
number of things were sent i'll to help
out, and then people came and bought their
goods.
The whole town must have taken to writ.
ing letters. judging by the amount Of paper
sold; and. if there is anything in the sale Of
toilet soap the towns hands must have been
cleaner than ever before.
Look here.' said Harry to Madge one
day, showing her little plain gold ring.
cause she had nothing else to give
'oh, it was dear little Jesse's ring" said
Madge. How l wish could have iti'
''Poh! Girls are always wanting fiuery."
said Harry.
But the ring was very tempting to Madge
She used To look at ii with longing eyes, and
sometimes put it ON her finger; wishing with
all her heart that she might keep it there.
Mamma said, Don't covet il, little daugt-
ter; and dom run the risk of losing what is
not your own"
"Madge,' said Harry, one day, twill you
stay and keep store? I'm going to make
something new forit.'
What, Harry" asked Madge. curiously.
oh, shant tell, but it'll be splendid"
tie ring and putting il upon her finger
mo, you'll see byand-by. And if you
don't put down that ring some one will call
you little Miss Meddle-finger again."
Madge colored aDgrily. The name really
did fit her very well, or perhaps she would
not have minded il so much.
She did not take off the ring, but sat NOV
ing it upon her finger, and wondering what
Harry could be doing, and wishing he would
not try TO hide things from her.
Like enough it's only making sugar
candy she said to herself. And after wait
ing long time, she went to the kitcnen TO
take peep.
ing porcclain-lined kettle on the stove, more
than half full Of the clear syrup she had Of
ten seen Harry attending to. Perhaps he
had SONIC new fiavoring-how she wanted TO
taste i'll
u must hurry, though, for Susan will be
coming to pour it ont for Harry, and if she
finds me here, she'll call me little NEEDLE
finger"
With saucer and spoon she quickly
dipped little. The steam gave her sting
and she jerked her hand to one side, to strike
ii against the side of the kettle
That was very hot, too, and she
hurried out on to the back porch with her
poor little hand smarting and burning.
She ate the syrup, but in such haste that
she burnt her tongue and could hardly tell
how it tasted. but was very sure ii was not at
all nice.
She went back to the store feeling very
miserable with her burns. And she could
taste that horrid syrup all the time, and re-
solved she never would eat a bit of il when
it was candy.
"Madgel Madge?' Harry was running in
with shout of delight.
Listen now-old Mrs Mills has had some
money come that she didn't expect, and
she's given me two dollars, and is going to
take the little ring back-why what's the
matter?'
Madge had started, and looked al her fin
ger with cry of dismay.
Its gonel ] didn't take it of. OIL
wish had never touched It,"
They hunted anxiously but no ring APP
peared. Mamma came and had to be told.
| She looked sadly at poor Madge but said,-
WHY, how pale the child Isl You mustn't
take it too hard, dear trust it will he a
lesson to you ali your life. But you look so
sick Madge'-
Poor Madge was sick--sicker than ever she
| had been before. She WIS carried to bed,
and her mother felt sure she was going to
have scarlet fever, But in the morning she