Barbour County index. [volume] (Medicine Lodge, Kan.) 1880-current, 1888-03-21
A DUTCH DOLL.
Its Marvellous Comprehension, and Wha
Con,


1t Can DO-HOw 1t Is Constructed.
''What can a Dutch doll bel" 81 wonder
whether it is any thing hike French dollr'
''With regular trousseaui" ''Oh, how
long the time seemsr ~ were few of the
exclamations that burst forth from some
children clustered expcctantly about the
tghtly-closed doors of a drawing-room in
New York City
Mamma promised me surprise for my
birthday Ella Young was saying to her
inpatient guests, when suddenly the fold
ing-doors slid open.
Upon the floor at the far end of the room the
children saw queer, dumpy, white-robed
little figure about two feet in height with
goved hands meellly clasped over it's
breast, whose charcoal eyes, nose and
mouth contrasted comically under its big
sun-bonnet, with suspiciously white COM
plexion.
MY dcars, allow me to introduce to you
Fraulein Spookenpuppe, said Mrs. Young,
who was standing by large table just be-
hind the homely, quaint figure although
a stranger just arrived on our shores, she
understands our language perfectly, and
possesses marvellous comprehension
Dolly, bow to the company"
The doll bent slowly forward.
"Play the piano, Dollyn
Dolly's ten little fingers strummed loudly
upon the floor
"Can you whistle, Dollyi"
Dolly shook her head.
"Hold up four fingers of your right
hand"
Immediately four fingers of a well-de-
veloped right hand were wildly clawing the
air.
Scratch your head, Dolly" and the bonnet
was almost torn from her head in her frantic
endeavors to prove her intelligence and
obedience.
Then the children took turns in propound-
ing questions to the talented stranger, un-
til finally, becoming tired and teased, Dolly
suddenly dismembered herself, kicked a
pillow high into the air, and rushed into
the midst of her delighted audience, and
chased them screaming from the room.
Like the children at the birthday party, 1
feel that the reader will be curious to learn
exactly how the Dutch doll was made, so
give an explanation of it.
The materials for Dutch doll are pill
low, string, hood or asun-bonnet, piece
of charcoal, pair Of gloves and night
gown
A boy lies on his face beneath a table,
which must touch the wall on one side,
while from its top cloth falls to the floor,
completely draping the remaining three
sides
One of the boys legs is drawn up tight
lv against his body, and the other one (from
which the boot has been taken) is bent at
the knee, and stands upright outside Of the
hanging table-cloth.
This foot and leg are inserted between a
small, longish pillow and its case-the leg
being separated from the table-cloth only
by this latter; the upper corners of the pill
low are drawn backward and pinned together
at the heel. while a string tightly tied around
the center of the pillow and leg divides
the head and body of the doll Across this
prostrate boy crouches second child, fac
ing the upright leg, with his hands and
arms extending from under the table, one
on each side Of the pillow. The night-gown
IS then put On, the arms Well introduced
into the sleeves; the gloved hands clasped
IN front at the dolls waist, aud finally upon
the head is placed the hood OR sun-bonnet.
and nose, eyes and mouth are outlined with
piece of charcoal. Particular care must
be taken in the arrangement of the night
gown where it touches the leg of the boy,
so that even Dolly's lowest bow may not
suggest too soon the secret of her forrna-
tion.-N. K'soT, is Ha.7le.'s Young People.