Idaho news. (Blackfoot, Idaho) 1887-1891, 1888-03-17

y
climb mp on the step ladder, dear. I'm
afraid you'll fall. :"
'.Me won't fall " argued Katie. ''STan
can catch me. He will, too. Won't
oop''
Tom who was already on the top
step of the ladder. laughed as he looked
down.
when 1 come down." he sa Il,
''please wait till then to do your climb
ing, and I'll do my best. I'm giving
spec al attention to the climbers this
morning"
The lady broke into a laugh, and
taking Katie by the hand. went on
around to the back of the house. Tom
walked on slowly. and had he been
working By the day he would certainly
have been disgrace to the trade.
But il was finished at last. and he de-
scended the ladder just as she of the
black and gray wrapper appeared,
Il thought YOU must be through by
this time, she said. pleasantly. "Oh!
how nice it looks, l am thousand
times obliged. | am sure Mat could
not have done it half so well.
You overwhelm me-" cried Tom.
II am only supply, Miss" he
stopped. remembering that he did not
know her name. She prompted him
at once.
Il am Mrs. Lester" said she, smil-
ing.
Tom bowed. and Kate finding her
self unnoticed for a moment, Slipped
her hand into that of her new friend.
100 didn't tell mo 'oo'r name"
she sad. trying to make her little feet
keep in step with his.
my name is Tom," he returned.
good-naturedly.
Tom, Tom" repeated the child,
softly. Il yike dat name, does 90.
mammal"
''Yes. dear" said Mrs. Lester color
ing little. lit is a very nice name,
but with warning glance at Miss
Innocence, tripping gaily at Tom
side. ,,'you must not be SO rude,
Katie"
rs l wude?" queried Katie. II
didn't never meant it, | sink" reflect
lively. Il sink | should yike to kiss 90,
Mr.. Tom"
'.And | sink" returned Tom,
quickly, in time to cover the reprov-
ing exclamation of Katie's mother,
~that | should like to have you kiss
me-"
He lifted the wee maiden in his arms
and kissed her heartily. They had
reached the porch by this time, and he
lifted his hat in farewell to Mrs. Les
ter. He carried Katie as far as the
gate. and kissed her good bye twice.
zoo mus tum an see me aden."
said Katie, Hospitality. ''An' 90 may
hold Delphine Mluda mex time"
IAN right said Tom. .Good.by,
Katie"
"Dood bye, Mr. Tom.
Tom was rather absent-minded all
day. His mother laughed. but asked
no questions. and bore with her usual
good humor his inattenlion to what
she said ut dinner.
He took up the Times" after tea.
but when he had held i before his eyes
little while, he found he had it up
side down.
A bevy of girls called in the evening,
for Mrs. Norr was favorite with all
girls, and they were wont to drop in
often, and usually Tom enjoyed their
lively chatter;but ton ght he was spOk-
en- to three time bv the Drettiest girl
present, before he heard; and in turn
ing mus c for little blonde who was
singing his mothers favorite song. lie
went off into revere. forgot to turn
the music at the right time, and made
Miss Bell lose her place.
tom Norris isn't half so nice as he
was last summer" was the verdict of
the girls, when they left.
Tom strolled down past the white
cottage next morning. Katie was at
the gate, and welcomed him with q
shout.
"How is 'oo?' she cried delighteily.
I'm lonely" said Tom, pausing in
his walk. ASK your mamma if you
can come for little walk with me.''
KITE flew toward the house as fast as
her feet would carry her, and in a mo-
ment Mrs. Lester appeared in the door.
The wrapper she wore was blue and
white this morning. and she had big
white ruffied apron on.
"'Mr. Norris!' she cried, 'do You
really want TO be bothered with this
child3 Come in and she shall be ready
directly. | am preserving" she con-
tinued, as Tom came mp to the house
with alacritv. ''Sit down here or will
you come imp
Here, thanks" said Tom. taking
the rocker she drew forward for him.
Now excuse me, please" said Mrs.
Lester, ''and Katie shall be down in a
minute"
Don't be alarmed if / keep her quite
while. Tom said, as he and Katie
started off soon after. "I'lI bring her
safe home before dark
Mrs. Lester laughed.
You will tire of her before half that
time, " she said kissing Katie.
Good bye. dear"
Good morning. Mr.. Norris
Tom took his little friend on a tour
of exploration. through confectionery
and toy shops, and then home with
him to dinner.
The afternoon was devoted to trip
to the city, whittier he had promised to
take his mother. and at dusk he walk
ed up to Mrs. Testers cottage, carry
ing very tired happy little girl, and
no end OF packages and picture books.
Mrs. Lester came out to welcome
them.
Il surely think you kept her long
enough" she said. as she received the
little sleepy bundle. You must be