The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1888-02-04
ADOPTING A GRANDFATHER,

ooh, dear, whatever shall we do next?'
Two forlorn little faces were pressed
against the window, as four blue eyes
looked out at the snow, which was hav-
ing a merry frolic all to itself, playing
mischievous pranks on those who ven
tured out of doors, without respect to
age or person.
81 don't know" said Daisy, thought
fully. "We've played pussy wants cor
ner,' and where's the thimbleT and hide
and SEEK and tit, tat, toe and mamma
hasn't come yet. She said she'd be here
sure by the time we'd played all the
games. I s'pose we might begin and
play 'em all over again." she added So
berly, hattening her nose against the
window pane; until even, papa, who
owed his little daughter SO dearly, would
scarcely have recognized that queer look
ing face as belonging to his Daisy.
II don't want to play games, L want to
90 out and SNOWFALL said Dan, impatient
ly. "Mrs. Brown never let's mamma
come home when she runs In, just for
minute"
"But you must not go out in the snow,
Dannie. Mamma said not
"She meant you. Course girls can't
go without getting sick. Girls amt big
and stout like boys"
Dan stretched up to his full height
as he made this speech and put on very
wise expression.
"I'm taller than you," cried Daisy, in
dignantly, with an angry sparkle in her
blue eyes.
"Thats all you know about it" said
Dan. "Who weighs the most? Just tell me
thstp
"You do" admitted Daisy, family, "and
we're both just of an age; but I'm the
tallest, anyhow"
"You cheated, you know you did" re-
torted Dan.
And then an ominious silence fell be-
tween the little brother and sister, who
seldom quarreled with each other.
Dan then tried to whistle-he was just
learning how, and imagined he could
whistle any tune but somehow the whis-
tie stuck in his throat, and his lips forgot
the proper quicker.
Daisy didn't even try to appear uncon-
cerned; for how could she, with the tell
tale tears filing her eyes and running
over, making damp little spots on her
white apron front?
Pretty soon Dan saw the bright tear.
drops, and his conscience upbraided him
as being the cause of his little sisters
grief.
"Daisy, don't you wish that some
body'd leave baby on our doorstep" he
asked suddenly, as though nothing un-
pleasant had occurred.
''Oh, don't thought exclaimed Daisy
with sunshiny smile driving the shadow
from her face. One sweep of her club
by hand across her eyes, and all trace of
tears had disappeared. 81 wouldn't be
bit surprised if they did some time, and
of course we'd adopt it if they did"
"Ot course we would" replied Dan,
decidedly. eff we found one there when
mamma was gone, we'd adopt it our
selves"
"Oh, let's run an seeI" suggested Dali
sy eagerly.
"Let's," agreed Dan.
And away the little ones scampered to
examine the front doorstep; but though
they searched the entry, the broad
porch without, and even went SO far as
to look under the steps, they failed to
find the baby sin a basket" and were
about alb andoning their search in despair,
when Dams bright eyes caught sight of a
little old man in the street, who seemed
to be dreadfully perplexed about some
thing, for he was standing quite still,
gazing steadily at the number on the
front door of the next house.
"Daisy," said Dan, in a subdued whis-
per, eve haven't got grandfather any
where"
NO." replied Daisy, with sigh.
"Babies are lots of bother. but grand
fathers are just splendid" remarked Dan.
"Tve always wanted a grandfather"
said Daisy with growing interest.
"Then let's adopt him." said Dan quick
ly. "Mamman be SO glad when she
gets home"
"Let's," echoed Daisy.