Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1888-03-30
With a hammer she pnatched from

can catch me. lie Will, too. won
ooP"
Tom who was already on the top
step of the ladder. laughed ms he looked
down.
when | come down." he sa d..
''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 n laugh, and
taking Katie by the hand. went on
around to the back of the house. Tom
walked on slowly. and had he been
work nc by the day he would certainly
have been a Disgrace to the trade.
But it 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, | am a thousand
times obliged. | am sure Mat could
not have done il half so well.
you overwhelm me" cried Tom.
ii am only Il supply, Miss" he
stopped. remembering that he did not
know her name. She prompted hin.
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 me 'oo'r name,'
she sa d, trying TO make her little feet
keep in step with h :.
'Nly name is Tom" he returned,
g~ood-naturedly.
Tom. Tom repeated the child,
softly, Il yike dat name, does 90.
mamma?'
Yes. dear,s said Mrs. Lester color
ing a little, lit j. a very II ce name,
but, with a warning glance at Nj -
Innocence, tripping gaily at Toms
side, "you must not be so rude.
Katie"
us wudeP' queried Katie. Il
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 fled 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 goodbye twice.
900 mus tum an see me aden,"
said Katie. Hospitality. can 90 may
hold Delphine Mtuda mex time
"All right SAID Tom. Good. by,
Katie"
''Dood bye, Mr.. Tom"
Tom was rather ab>ent-minded all
day. Ills mother laughed. bat asked
no questions, and bore with her usual
good humor his inattention TO what
she said at dinner.
lie took up the ''7Imes" after tea.
but when he had held { before his eyes
a little while, he found he had it up
side down.
a bcvy of girls called in the evening,
: for Mrs Norr was a fayorite with all
girls, aud 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 prettiest girl
present. before he heard; and IN turn
ing mus C for a little blonde. who was
singing his mothers favorite song, he
went of into "A r%everie. forgot to turn
the music at the right I me. 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 morn ng. Katie was at
the gate. and welcomed him with n
shout.
How is 'oo?' she cried delightedly.
I'm lonely. said Tom. pausing in
his walk. ASK your mamma if YOU
can come for "a little walk with me-
Kate 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 a b Q
white rufled apron on.
"Mr. Norris,' she or ed. edo vOu
really want to be bothered with this
child' 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 in?'
Here, thanks" said Tom. tax NJ
the rocker she drew forward for him.
"Now excuse me, please" said Mrs.
Lester. land Katie shall he down in a
Minute
Don't be alarmed if keep her quite
a while" Tom said. as he and Katie
started off soon after. 'Tll bring her
safe home before dark"
Mrs. Lester laughed.
"You will tire of her before half that
time" she said kissing Kat e.
Good b, c. 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 Il nner.
The afternoon was devoted to a trim
to the C ". whittier he had promised To
take Ms mother, and at dusk he walk
ed up TO Mrs. Testers cottage. carry
ing a very tired happy little girl. and
no end of packages and picture books.
Mrs. Lester came mi to welcome
them.
Il surely think Won kept her long
enough she sail. as she received the
little sleepy bundle. You must lie