The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1888-09-08

when Mile tripped into the small, dull
room, bringing her store of dainties,
Auntie Nells gift, and bit of outdoor
brightness and breeziness? This little
lame Polly, with her crooked body and
useless feet, who scarcely ever saw the
| outside of the wee house in which she
lived, and who had only to sit by the
one tiny window, that long afternoon,
ana knit, and watch the passer-by!
Without saying word, she just put her
small, thin hands over her small, thin
face and cried
"Oh, DON'T! Please DON'T" pleaded
Mile, in dismay. "Why, 1 thought
you'd be gladr'
Polly brushed the tears away and
smiled. $50 l am" she said, "glad as
| can be; but l can't help crying a little.
L guess that's what makes me-being
glad"
well, don't any more, will you?"
said Mile, beginning to take off her
things.
mo" said Polly, meekly.
First they looked at Auntie Nell's
pretty present, and Mile showed Polly
how the pictures were to be pasted in.
IN just do one page day." said
Polly, land they'll last the longer"
Then they knitted needles, for Mile
had brought her little red stocking to
keep Polly's coarse gray sock COM
pany.
"You knit fastest, but get out first"
said Mile, as she sang out Ten"
Twenty" cried Polly. mines got
more stitches; it's for Mr.. Briggs.
Mother has twenty cents pair for
knitting 'em, and l help when l can.
Some days my back aches so can't.
You see, mothers trying to save money
enough to buy one o them chairs that
roll around; then I could go out when
twas pleasant She's been a long
while, but she 'aint near enough yet.
The cheapest is ten dollars"
''Oh, wish you couldr' Grid Mile;
forgetting in her eager sympathy to
say "Thirtym as she whipped out her
needle. 81 do"
"1es," said Polly, with patient lit
tie smile, "but l don't much guess [
ever can"
So between flying tongues and needles
forever trying to catch up, time ran
away until five o'clock.
Then Mile, jumping up in a hurry,
rolled the little pine table across to
Polly's side, and over it spread Grim
son cover which somehow appeared
from that wonderful basket.
Next, out upon the cover clattered
Miles last Christmas tea-set, which
wasn't so much smaller than a real tea
set after ALTO be quickly loaded with
sandwiches and tarts and pies, and
ounce preserve and cakes and can
dies.
Polly looked on in smiling wonder.
at most seems as if I'm a-dreaming,"
she said, giving herself a sly little
pinch, to make sure.
well, you just amt" laughed Mil
lie, filling her tiny pitcher with water
from the pail; "but l do think this is
The very incest birthday ever saw.
Teas ready, ma'am!"
How Polly laughed at that, and at the
funny little courtesy which Mile bob
bed, and in the midst of the iollity Pol
Iy's mother came home, tired enough |
with her work; and, while the kettle |
was boiling, Polly, with a great many
smiles and a few happy tears, must needs |
go over the afternoons pleasure again,
while Mile hoped from one foot to
the other, gleefully.
Then they all had their tea together,
and after that it was time for Mile to
say good-by.
''D0 come again. cried Polly.
"Of course | will, said Mile.
you're a dear child said Polly's |
patting the crown Of Miles
3un-hat Git was on Miles head, you
lnow); ga dear, good child.
| more than half believe that Polly's
mother was right,-Ada Carleton, IN
YOUTHS Companion.