Mower County transcript. [volume] (Lansing, Minn.) 1868-1915, 1888-04-18


fully disputed rights as to dolls and
kittens. II was the simplest thing in
the world to amuse Joy. A rug on the
floor and a few. toys about her was all
that was necessary. 2 ~
1t was without the least intention of
neslecting tho child that her mother
left her so much alone, while she
busted herself about her household du-
ties. The girls were at school all day,
and there was much to be done; and
Joy always seemed quite happy with
her toys and Rover for a play fellow.
She would sit and softly sing her IA
vorite doll to sleep. or race with Rover
up and down the wide piazza, amusing
herself in her own way for hours.
while Mrs. Nelson was at work, or en-
joying her well-earned rest. 1t was
only in sudden fright or pain that she
would run crying to mother.
Joy was six years old when she first
saw her baby brother.
There was great rejoicing in the
household over this uncommonly-fine
boy, and there was more reason now
than ever why Joy should keep her.
self out of the way.'
Harry grew amazingly fast. When
he was one year old Dr. Nelson pro-
nounced him the handsomest merriest
baby in the county. Mrs. Nelson was
sure there could not be found more
restlessly willful boy of his age.
In all the devoted household Muster
Harry had no more willing slave than
Joy. She would sit by his crib while
he took his long, morning nap, as still
as a mouse, with her little hands fold
ed in her lap, ready to rock him gent
ly if he should stir in his sleep; or call
mother in case he should wake, and
pull himself up with the intention of
rolling out of the cradle-a trick he
learned very young. 1t was Joy, too.
who was most untiring in her efforts
to amuse the exacting little man when
he demanded something newer and
more exciting to while away the long
days.
When DR.: Nelson came home his
first words were ALWAYS: where's
the baby?" If Master Harry was in
good humor, he would show himself
off to the very best possible advantage
as welcome to papa"
Joy usually stood near, and
watched his pretty antics in papa's
arms with happy smile on her little
face.
One evening baby was tired and
freaful. and little inclined to respond
to papa's advances. Joy. with her
timid air, bent over him and tried. by
dint of making the wry faces and
noises he usually found most highly
amusing. to coax him back to good
humor: For some reason this form
OF peacemaking struck his babyship
wrong, and only increased his fret
fulness.
DR.: Nelson pushed the child aside
with a frown, and said, impatiently:
Dom tease your little brother. Joy.
Go away! Can't you see he is frntful,
and doesn't want to be botheredP'
1t was soon after this that joys
second clean apron, in one day, was
made untidy by sudden contact
with Rover's four big, muddy feet.
The child could never bear untidy
clothes A few soils on her little apron
would make her thoroughly unhappy.
and sometimes even cross-an aver
sion to dirt extremely unusual among
healthy children. She quickly ran to
ask mamma for another apron.
Mrs. Nelson was very busy with her
sewing: She said carelessly: Run
and ask Dinah to give you one, my
child"
Dinah was the maid of all work and
factotum in general in the Nelson
household, and she. too. was busy,
washing out some of those very aprons
that Joy used SO p!entifully.
Dinah's black face usually beamed
with good-nature and general salts
faction with herself and the world at
large; but to-day she received joys
request with frown.
Go. long, chile" she said. Hits
desc here aprons er yourn dat make
de washin' so heavy. I ain gwine tn
give you 'nuther apon dis day.
Mamma said I might have it."
pleaded Joy.
Dinah unwillingly brought the
apron, and eased her mind by scoldine
a little as she stopped 10 fasten it on.
"What make you so cuyus, .chilcP"
she said, sharply. "Cmlluns like
dirt. Whyn't you ac' like odder chill
lun? Folks ain gwine ter love strange
chillun.''
Dr.. Nelson remarked to his wife. a
few days after this. that The was afraid
Joy was morbid child. and she must
try to break her of those moods.''
There is no great wonder in my
mind that the aspiring young poet
should so often select June as a sub
ject for his first great effort, especially
if the poet should dwell among the
hills and mountains OF Virginia.
There is no time or place more beau
Wa H.